The New York Knicks must make room for Joakim Noah when he returns to the team. Mindaugus Kuzminkas should be the odd man out.
Joakim Noah started this season suspended due to violating league PED rules. Noah began serving his suspension at the end of last season and had to miss the first ten games this season.
The 10th game is tonight as the New York Knicks take on the Charlotte Hornets. After the game, the Knicks will have a decision to make.
They have 15 players on the roster, and for them to make room for Noah, the Knicks have to let one go. The debate of who will be let go has been going on for quite a while.
I have seen fans say that Willy Hernangomez should be the one that the Knicks let go. I can’t stress enough that this will never happen. Hernangomez is a part of the Knicks future. They wouldn’t even trade him for Eric Bledsoe.
The move that makes the most sense for the Knicks is to let go of Mindaugas Kuzminskas. According to reports, the Knicks are shopping Kuzminskas.
He has not been happy with the lack of playing time he has received this season. But the reality is there just isn’t any minutes to give him.
He is buried on the bench due to the depth the Knicks already have at the forward position. Kuzminskas does not bring much to the table other than being a three-point shooter.
Being only a one-dimensional player when other guys ahead of him do more, it’s tough to get him on the floor. Guys like Doug McDermott, Courtney Lee, Lance Thomas, and Michael Beasley simply do more than just shoot.
Kuzminskas can’t play as a power forward because he doesn’t have the body for it. Besides the way Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle O’Quinn have played, Jeff Hornacek is not going to cut into their minutes for him.
Ramon Sessions‘ name could come up to be released when Noah comes back. Session’s has lost his starting spot to Jarrett Jack. Sessions recorded a few DNP’s this year, but cutting him is not a smart decision.
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Jack is playing well right now, and since the Knicks have made the switch to start Jack, they are 5-1. But Jack has had injury issues as of late in his career. So keeping Sessions around just in case Jack’s knees go out would be in the Knicks best interest.
Kuzminskas just doesn’t have a role with this Knicks team. Keeping him would be a waste of roster space. Releasing him or trading him to make room for Noah makes the most sense.
Some would say just getting rid of Noah would be the smartest thing to do. But that will not happen, and it’s near impossible to move him with his contract. We can thank Phil Jackson for that one.