The Chopping Block
The Knicks may have 15 guaranteed contracts, but management isn’t afraid of cutting one in favor of another.
“We have a lot of guys under contract, and they’re all fighting for a place,” Hornacek told reporters during training camp at West Point. “No one’s guaranteed… The Knicks organization, I don’t think they’re afraid to cut a guy with a guaranteed contract if there’s another guy that’s better.
“So these guys are competing every day and there may be one or two of these guys that can make it, so you never know.”
Here are the eight players you, as president, have the option to cut by Friday:
MAURICE NDOUR
Age: 24 | Height: 6-9 | College: Ohio | Position: Forward
Contract: 3 years, 1 guaranteed at $543k
vs. Boston: 21 MIN, 2 PTS (1-6 FG), 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2 TO, 5 FLS
vs. Washington: 16 MIN, 2 PTS (1-2 FG), 3 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL,
vs. Brooklyn: 21 MIN, 12 PTS (6-10 FG), 4 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL,
vs. Houston: 13 MIN, 2 PTS (1-3 FG), 1 AST, 2 STL
Last season (Real Madrid): 9.1 MPG, 2.1 PPG, .557 FG%, 1.6 RPG
Notes:
Seemingly versatile defender. Plays hard. Proud to be a Knickerbocker. Scored only 2 points in 3 of 4 preseason games. Has only attempted 1 three-pointer. Is averaging 2 steals through 4 preseason games. Has not separated talent from rest of bench.
LOU AMUNDSON
Age: 33 | Height: 6-9 | College: UNLV | Position: Power Forward
Contraxt: 1 year, $980k
vs. Brooklyn: 8 MIN, 2 PTS (1-2 FG), 1 REB, 3 AST
Last season: 7.0 MPG, 1.8 PPG, 1.7 RPG
Notes:
Smart player. Average rebounder. Slightly above average passer. Doesn’t do any one thing exceptionally well. Poor free throw shooter (.444 over career). Puts team before anything.
KYLE O’QUINN
Age: 26 | Height: 6-10 | College: Norfolk State | Position: Forward-Center
Contract: 3 years, $12.25 remaining
Log:
vs. Boston: 8 MIN, 6 PTS (3-5 FG), 0 REB, 1 AST, 1 TO
vs. Washington: 12 MIN, 2 PTS (1-1 FG), 2 REB, 1 AST, 2 TO
vs. Brooklyn: 12 MIN, 4 PTS (2-3 FG), 3 REB, 2 AST
vs. Houston: 18 MIN, 4 PTS (1-4 FG), 9 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL
Last season (Knicks): 11.8 MPG, 4.8 PPG, .478 FG%, 3.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.8 BPG
Notes:
Erratic offensively, vocal defensive presence. Can improve finishing at the rim. Great passer. Once unfollowed Kevin Seraphin on all social media. Fan-favorite, Queens native. Great locker room guy. UberPOOL connoisseur.
MINDAUGAS KUZMINSKAS
Age: 26 | From: Lithuania | Position: Forward
Contract: 2 years, $6 million
Log:
vs. Boston: 19 MIN, 18 PTS (7-16 FG, 3-7 3PT), 10 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK
vs. Brooklyn: 12 MIN, 7 PTS (3-4 FG, 1-2 3PT), 2 AST, 1 STL
vs. Houston: 6 MIN, 7 PTS (3-5 FG), 1 AST
Last season (Unicaja): 20.5 MPG, 11.1 PPG, .485 FG%, 3.2 RPG, 1.1 APG
Notes:
Fills void left by Derrick Williams’ departure. Sneaky athleticism and surprisingly capable shooter. Runs the floor. Has potential to stick in NBA. Nickname is pronounced “KOOZ.”
Willy Hernangomez
Age: 22 | Height: 6-11 |From: Spain | Position: Center
Contract: 4 years, 3 guaranteed at $4.3 million
Log:
vs. Boston: 24 MIN, 12 PTS (6-10 FG, 0-2 FT), 12 REB, 1 AST
vs. Washington: 18 MIN, 2 PTS (1-2 FG), 3 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK, 5 TO
vs. Brooklyn: 20 MIN 12 PTS (6-10 FG), 4 REB, 2 AST, 2 TO
vs. Houston: 16 MIN, 4 PTS (2-4 FG), 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL
Last season (Real Madrid): 12.6 MPG, 6.6 PPG, .667 FG%, 3.8 RPG)
Notes:
Has wowed with veteran-like poise atypical of a rookie. Can argue for first center off bench behind Noah. Reminiscent of a certain duo of Spanish big men. Steps ahead of the next play. Not too much of a defensive presence.
Marshall Plumlee
Age: 24 | Height: 7-0 | College: Duke | Position: Center
Contract: 3 years, 1 guaranteed at $543k
vs. Washington: 18 MIN, 6 PTS (3-4 FG), 5 REB, 2 AST
vs. Brooklyn: 11 MIN, 4 PTS (1-1 FG, 2-6 FT), 1 REB, 1 BLK
vs. Houston: 9 MIN, 4 PTS (2-4 FG), 2 REB, 2 BLK, 1 STL
Last season (Duke): 30.5 MPG, 8.3 PPG, .688 FG%, 8.5 RPG, 1.6 BPG
Notes:
Not as athletic as his Hornacek-coached older brother, Miles. Decent rebounder. Does not offer much outside of the dotted line. Solid 250-pound frame. Could be hard screener.
Justin Holiday
Age: 27 | Height: 6-6 | College: Washington | Position: Guard
Contract: 1 year, $1.01 million
Log:
vs. Boston: 24 MIN, 13 PTS (5-9 FG, 2-4 3PT), 4 REB, 5 AST
vs. Washington: 6 MIN, 2 PTS (1-5 FG), 1 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL
vs. Brooklyn: 10 MIN, 0 PTS (0-3 FG, 0-2 3PT), 1 REB
vs. Houston: 18 MIN, 4 PTS (1-6 FG, 1-4 3PT), 2 REB, 2 AST
Last season: 14.6 MPG, 4.5 PPG, .343 3P%, 1.1 APG
Notes:
Entering pivotal contract year at 27 years old. Pesky defender and streaky three-point shooter, though not much of a shot creator. Can develop into Lance Thomas-type player. Gives much needed depth at guard position.
Sasha Vujacic
Age: 32 | Height: 6-7 | From: Yugoslavia | Position: Guard
Contract: 1 year, $980k
vs. Boston: 23 MIN, 13 PTS (5-9 FG, 2-5 3PT), 1 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL
vs. Washington: 6 MIN, 4 PTS (1-2 FG, 1-2 3PT), 1 REB
vs. Brooklyn: 13 MIN, 11 PTS (3-5 FG, 3-4 3PT, 2-2 FT), 2 REB
vs. Houston: 10 MIN, 5 PTS (2-5 FG, 1-3 3PT), 1 REB, 3 AST
Last season (Knicks): 14.9 MPG, 4.9 PPG, .364 3PT%, 2.4 RPG, 1.6 APG
Notes:
Combo guard. Pushes pace like a madman. Most knowledgeable of Triangle Offense. Two-time NBA champion. Pesky, pressing defender. Streaky shooter. Lacks lateral quickness defensively.
Unlikely: C. Anthony, K. Porzingis, D. Rose, J. Noah, C. Lee, B. Jennings, L. Thomas
Your materials:
Baker vs. Randle: A comprehensive scouting reportThe Chopping Block: What players have done in the preseason- The Odd Men Out: Your advance scout’s recommendations [POLL]
