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LAS VEGAS – With the Knicks’ roster mostly established after likely improvements in small forward (Evan Fournier) and playmaker (Kemba Walker), team management can now focus on all five NBA games Summer League which kicks off Sunday with the Knicks against Toronto at 4:30 p.m. ET at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Although they finished behind the Knicks last season, the Raptors could be a bigger force in the Eastern Conference this year after selecting two-way forward Scottie Barnes with the fourth overall pick in the draft. NBA 2021 and having traded Kyle Lowry for Goran Dragic at the point guard.
Toronto’s 2020 season was turned upside down as COVID-19 forced the club out of Canada, due to travel restrictions, and to a new home in Tampa Bay.
Toronto, which has one of the best home advantages in basketball, was 16-20 in its new temporary home and 12th in the conference. It’s unclear if the Raptors will be able to return to Canada this coming season.
The Knicks entered Sunday’s game as a four-point favorites against Toronto, according to the Westgate Sports Book in Vegas. They are 10-1 to claim the Summer League title at Westgate. Fans in attendance are required to wear masks in accordance with new Nevada guidelines.
Here are five Knicks Summer League scenarios:
1. What will their 2020 first-round picks look like?
Obi Toppin, selected eighth overall last November, and Immanuel Quickley, who fell to 25th, are back in Las Vegas after a week of training for the US Select team with the US Olympic team.
Quickley did not survive all week as he was placed in the COVID-19 health and safety protocol. Sources say he did not test positive but was instead seen as close contact.
Toppin and Quickley missed out on a summer league after being drafted due to the pandemic. This event is more important for Toppin, who was on average only 11 minutes behind forward Julius Randle last season and has never been able to spread his wings.
During Friday’s Summer League practice, Quickley and Toppin put on a show with Quickley stealing the ball from rookie Miles McBride at midfield and throwing an alley-oop lob for Toppin, who got it. stuck at home. If they dominate early, they are unlikely to play all five games.
The beginnings of Quentin Grimes
The Knicks entered the draft with the 19 and 21 picks, but made it the 25th pick plus two future draft picks (a heavily protected Charlotte first round that may never pass and a 2024 second round).
The good news is that the Knicks believe Grimes was worthy of 19th place. Most scouts viewed Grimes as a first second round until he looked formidable to the Chicago combine. It turned the Knicks’ heads – with a splendid private training session in Tarrytown. The former Kansas transfer has led the University of Houston to their Final Four since 1984 with his defense and 3-point shot.
3. The battle of the combined guard of the left-handers of the Spanish League
Considering that the Knicks already had Spanish leaguer Luca Vildoza in the fold, it was surprising that they selected a player similar to Rokas Jokubaitis of Lithuania with the 34th pick. The Knicks are leaning towards the 20-year-old starting his one-year contract with Barcelona to continue developing. But the brass were very impressed with his basketball IQ during summer practice in Las Vegas, so all bets are off.
The Post have learned that Jokubaitis, who has yet to improve his 3-point shot, does not need to be bought out as his contract with Barcelona has not technically started yet.
4. Miles McBride’s Revenge Tour
The West Virginia playmaker was insulted, falling to 36th place in the draft. Undersized but rough with a nice 3-point shot, McBride says he will make teams “pay” for passing him. It can start on Sunday.
5. The land of Jericho
It was astonishing that the Knicks came out of the draft with potentially four rookies for their roster – five including Vildoza. It was speculated that the Knicks might well trade the 58th pick after snatching Grimes, McBride and Jokubaitis.
But trading such a deep choice is difficult because the return may have too many protections. And it became evident when Texas senior big man Jericho Sims rose to 58. The 6-foot-10 Minneapolis forward is billed as a defensive specialist with great athleticism, but could be a part of the game. depth of the list – especially if center Mitchell Robinson is either unhealthy or traded.
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