Knicks Mailbag Insights
In the latest installment of the Knicks’ Mailbag, SNY’s NBA Insider Ian Begley is addressing fan inquiries about the New York Knicks.
Donte DiVincenzo Rumors
One topic of interest is whether the team is pursuing Donte DiVincenzo. A fan named Kameel expressed curiosity about the validity of rumors regarding DiVincenzo’s potential addition to the roster. According to Begley, while the Knicks would indeed be thrilled to welcome him back—having previously dealt him away in the trade that got them Karl-Anthony Towns—there appears to be minimal progress on that front.
Sources indicate that significant trade activity concerning DiVincenzo is unlikely at the moment. The Knicks would likely need to move either Josh Hart or Mitchell Robinson to facilitate any deal, but trading Hart seems out of the question for the team. Additionally, Begley pointed out that trading Robinson wouldn’t make much sense unless they were seeking a big man in return.
Injury Updates
Fans are also concerned about injury updates on players such as Landry Shamet and Miles McBride. Begley anticipates that there will be news regarding Shamet’s shoulder injury before the month concludes. Initially, there was optimism that Shamet could avoid surgery, and that optimism remains as he continues his rehab without requiring an operation. This positive development is crucial for the Knicks, particularly as they relied heavily on Shamet before his injury.
As for McBride, he has reportedly been making good strides on the practice court under the watchful eye of Knicks coaches. While his return to full sprinting isn’t confirmed, he has been cleared for contact drills, although actual scrimmage opportunities have been limited due to the team’s rigid practice schedule during the regular season. Based on ongoing evaluations, there is a possibility that McBride could make his comeback before the year ends.
Managing Player Workload
Lastly, when it comes to Jalen Brunson‘s recent resting, Begley interprets the situation as the Knicks managing his workload. With a demanding schedule of six games in ten days, which includes participation in the NBA Cup Final and a Christmas Day game, it appears the team prioritized giving Brunson a break during this challenging period.
Similarly, there is speculation that OG Anunoby is receiving rest rather than dealing with any serious injury issues, allowing key players to recuperate for more crucial matchups ahead.
