The New York Knicks were supposed to have a super-team this week. They were supposed to sign Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Some even hoped they would hit the lottery and get No. 1 overall draft pick Zion Williamson, to boot.
That team has not been formed. Instead, Durant and Irving came to town to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, the Knicks’ rival.
Who did the Knicks end up with when free agency began June 30? Julius Randle and Taj Gibson, according to reports.
Knowing how bad it might look for the franchise, Knicks team president Steve Mills released a statement Sunday night that has since been roundly mocked online.
“While we understand that some Knicks fans could be disappointed with tonight’s news, we continue to be upbeat and confident in our plans to rebuild the Knicks to compete for championships in the future, through both the draft and targeted free agents,” Mills’ statement read.
Statement from Knicks president Steve Mills: pic.twitter.com/2GnBHHmvT6
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2019
This came on the heels of ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reporting that Knicks owner James Dolan did not want to offer Kevin Durant a max contract, blaming that decision on Durant’s recent Achilles injury and the amount of time he’s expected to miss as he rehabs.
ESPN made the strategic decision to have Stephen A. Smith join its free agency special to throw a fit about the Knicks:
STEPHEN A. IS A LEGEND 😭 pic.twitter.com/wt5eYXC2ND
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) July 1, 2019
While Knicks fans were no doubt unhappy, the rest of the basketball world took a moment out of their day to mock them:
The Knicks seriously just issued a statement about failing miserably to start free agency. What a world we live in.
— Jeff Smith (@JSM8ith) July 1, 2019
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) July 1, 2019
To be fair, he does say “targeted” free agents and not “signed” free agents. They intend to be heavily involved in wanting guys moving forward.
— Steve Crawford (@stcrawford) July 1, 2019
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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