On Sunday, June 30, the New York Knicks acquired Jordan Clarkson. He will plug the gap that has been open since the franchise traded away Immanuel Quickley as part of the OG Anunoby deal in December 2023.
With Clarkson now heading for Madison Square Garden, it’s unlikely that the Knicks will pursue any potential interest in Russell Westbrook. In a July 1 post on X, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post shared a similar sentiment.
“From what I’m hearing, I wouldn’t expect the Knicks to sign Russell Westbrook,” Bondy wrote. “There’s no clear path to sustained playing time for him on this roster and he’s not the type to sit comfortably on the bench.”
Westbrook is an unrestricted free agent after declining the player option in his contract. He will undoubtedly look for a role where he can continue to play significant minutes, either off the bench or as a starter. Unfortunately for Westbrook, New York has now filled that role.
Clarkson will provide instant offense off the bench and can use his scoring gravity to open things up for others around him.
Knicks Have Signed Guerschon Yabusele
As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks have signed French forward Guerschon Yabusele. He will join on a two-year $12 million deal, having impressed for the Philadelphia 76ers last season.
“Free agent center Guerschon Yabusele has agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with the New York Knicks, plus a player option, sources told ESPN on Tuesday,” Charania reported. “…Yabusele signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers last August after he played a big role in France’s run to the silver medal at the Paris Olympics.”
Yabusele played in 70 games for the Sixers last season. He averaged 11 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists, shooting 50.1% from the field and 38% from deep. He will be a significant addition to the Knicks’ bench unit, which was a problematic area of the roster last season.
Mike Brown Could be Knicks’ Next Head Coach
After a calamitous start to their search for a new head coach, it would appear the Knicks are nearing a resolution. According to a July 2 report from Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, New York could turn to Mike Brown to lead the roster moving forward.
“The Knicks, according to league sources, have been telling prospective free agents since the NBA marketplace opened Monday night at 6 PM ET that their search to replace Tom Thibodeau is nearing a resolution,” Fischer and Stein reported. “And former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown is widely regarded now as the favorite to land the position.”
The insiders continued.
“Yet sources briefed on the process stressed Tuesday that Brown, who has been in New York for the past two days, will require ultimate endorsement from Knicks owner James Dolan before he can be named Thibodeau’s successor.”
Brown worked wonders during his tenure with the Sacramento Kings. He won the 2022-23 Coach of the Year. Brown coaches with a defensive mindset. He’s also proven capable of piecing together a viable and diverse offensive system.
If Dolan approves, Brown would be a strong addition to the franchise.
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