Latest news with #JordanClarkson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks Reportedly Not Interested In LeBron James, Believe Roster Is Already Set
Knicks Reportedly Not Interested In LeBron James, Believe Roster Is Already Set originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The New York Knicks have reportedly taken a firm stance on the LeBron James rumors, and it's a hard pass. According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the Knicks are content with their roster heading into the 2025–26 season and are not looking to shake things up by bringing in a 41-year-old superstar, no matter how legendary he may be. 'I don't think the Knicks have an interest in LeBron James,' Mannix said on Sports Illustrated's YouTube channel. 'The Knicks are pretty happy with what they did this offseason. They're happy with what they got from Mike Brown. Mike Brown's been a big hit in Vegas, like, big hit. They love the Jordan Clarkson addition. They love the Guerschon Yabusele addition." "They think they've got a rotation that's nine or 10 deep right now. Like, they're not looking to shake that up. Not in a conference, they think they can win with this group.' That statement is particularly bold considering LeBron was rumored to have had the Knicks on his short list, along with the Mavericks, Cavaliers, Clippers, and Warriors, if he were to push for a trade or buyout. LeBron opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season, sparking immediate speculation about a potential move. But the Knicks don't appear to be biting. In theory, a trade could have been worked out. New York has the pieces, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and a combination of other assets could have formed the foundation of a deal. They even have a coach in Mike Brown who has a past relationship with LeBron, dating back to their time together in Cleveland. But the Knicks are thinking long-term. They just made the Eastern Conference Finals with a young and talented core that includes Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart. They've built depth, added shooting, and addressed playmaking. They believe this group is ready to contend, and with the East now wide open after devastating Achilles injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, their belief is not unfounded. Bringing in LeBron at this stage could complicate that plan. While James is still a top-tier player and can swing a playoff series, he's also on what could be his final NBA contract. His presence would demand a system shift, a media circus, and possibly a year or two of win-now moves that compromise the long-term balance New York has carefully constructed. When he leaves, the Knicks would be forced to chase another superstar just to maintain relevance. That's not the position the Knicks want to be in. Right now, they have chemistry, youth, and a sense of continuity. While a potential LeBron move might be revisited later if the season goes sideways or Bronny James becomes a tradeable asset, the message from the front office is clear: the Knicks aren't interested in chasing ghosts. They believe the future is already story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks superstar excited about adding Jordan Clarkson
The New York Knicks made a couple of big free agent signings at the start of free agency. One of those was signing former Sixth Man of the Year award winner Jordan Clarkson on a veteran's minimum. Knicks' Jalen Brunson is excited about Jordan Clarkson signing Clarkson is a valuable addition for New York, as he will help with the bench scoring issue that the team struggled with last season. They were dead last in bench points and had very little shot creation off the bench, and Clarkson should help fix that tremendously. The addition has the approval of team captain and superstar point guard Jalen Brunson. Speaking on his and Josh Hart's podcast titled 'Roommates Show,' he expressed excitement for what Clarkson can bring to the table. 'I know him,' Brunson said. 'Talked to him for a little bit. Good dude. Surrounds himself with good people that I know. A great addition for us, for sure.' Clarkson gives the Knicks an elite bench scorer Clarkson is still one of the top bench scorers in the league and can provide a lot for New York's bench. Last season, he averaged 16.2 points and shot 36.2% from three-point range. Since 2020, Clarkson has led all bench scorers in total points with 4,589. The next closest is Malik Monk with 3,882 points. Along with the addition of Clarkson, the Knicks signed Guerschon Yabusele to a two-year, $12 million contract to further enhance the bench scoring. The team is also looking at the free agent market to add more in the backcourt on a veteran's minimum, as they have room to sign one more player. Clarkson's signing is very much a low-risk, high-reward signing, and he could provide a ton of value for a Knicks team that is poised to make a run at an NBA title next season. Related Headlines Yankees acquire quality utility man batting .270 to hit left-handed pitching Royals acquire Diamondbacks outfielder as trade season heats up Rays could be open to dealing 2 talented infielders if they keep sliding Giants' former 1st-round pick making crucial training adjustment in hopes of better season
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ranking 10 Biggest Ball-Hogs In The NBA Right Now
Ranking 10 Biggest Ball-Hogs In The NBA Right Now originally appeared on Fadeaway World. In the NBA right now, there is a cast of current NBA ball handlers who prioritize usage percentage and shoot first, ask questions later. From Brooklyn's Cam Thomas, who rages against analysts calling him an 'empty calories ball hog' yet still reigns with a scorching 33% usage rate, to New York's Jordan Clarkson, who doesn't know what an assist could be at times, there are players who only care about their scoring. Sure, it's not all doom and gloom: the league still has the Tyrese Haliburtons and Nikola Jokic's of the world, a refreshing embodiment of anti-ball-hogging brilliance. But as you scroll through this gallery of ball-hogs, ask yourself: Is stardom just a cover for selfishness, or is the team-first approach the true path to greatness? Let's name the 10 biggest perpetrators of ball-hogism. 1. Cam Thomas 2024-25 Season Stats: 24.0 PPG, 3.8 APG, 43.8% FG, 8.0-18.2 FG, 2.7-7.8 3-PT FG Cam is the textbook definition of a volume scorer: he's chucking nearly 18 shots a night, burying over 40% of them, and dropping 24 points per game. And with close to eight threes per outing? You know he's hoarding the rock. But here's the real kicker: it's not just the numbers; it's the effect. Brooklyn's offense lives and dies by Cam's mood. His looks come in waves: streaky bursts followed by long droughts. When he's on, Nets fans cheer. When he's not, it's predictable stalling. He's efficient enough to avoid critiques, but he still clogs the flow, not exactly team-first poetry. 2. Jordan Clarkson 2024-25 Season Stats: 16.2 PPG, 3.7 APG, 40.8% FG, 5.4-13.3 FG, 2.3-6.3 3-PT FG Jordan Clarkson's bench presence is electric. He's the sixth man who lights it up, dropping 16 points with nearly 4 assists in just 26.0 minutes. Clarkson jacks over 13 shots per game with a 40% clip, unstoppable when his hoodie's on fire, but ugly when he is cold. He thrives off that spark plug mentality: instant offense, loud looks, founder of frenetic pacing. But make no mistake, this is selfish brilliance. And although that's fun, it's not always functional. He's your shot-taker, not your facilitator, and he wants the stage, even if it means hijacking possessions. Basically, he is willing to live or die with his shots. 3. Trae Young 2024-25 Season Stats: 24.2 PPG, 11.6 APG, 41.1% FG, 7.4-18.1 FG, 2.9-8.4 3-PT FG Trae Young is a magician with a scorebook: elite combo of 24 points and 11.6 assists per game. But behind the wizardry is sheer possession hogging, with 18 field goals a game, low 41% accuracy, and nearly nine treys attempted. His usage is incredibly high, and he completely dominates the offense for good (and sometimes very good) or bad. Young will grab the ball, bend defenses, and while fans swoon over the genius, coaches cringe when the ball gets stuck. He can run an offense or drown it. When hot, he's transcendent; when cold, every possession is a reclamation mission. A ball-hog with flair, but sometimes flair veers into self-indulgence a little too often. 4. LaMelo Ball 2024-25 Season Stats: 25.2 PPG, 7.4 APG, 40.5% FG, 8.6-21.3 FG, 3.8-11.2 3-PT FG LaMelo Ball's lens on basketball is cinematic: he orchestrates Charlotte's every move, commanding 32 minutes a night and hoisting 21 shots, with over 11 trey attempts, ball-owner to the core. He dishes out 7.4 assists but also hoards the rock in late-clock moments, amping up usage rate and ball dependency. Sure, he's a highlight machine, no-look dimes, wild step-backs, high-lights expected, but that flair doesn't excuse him when the offense grinds to a halt during colder spells. He leans heavily on his own creation instead of hunting off-ball flow for teammates. When the Hornets need rhythm, it's often 'LaMelo or bust,' a classic love-hate hallmark of elite ball-hogs. To be fair to LaMelo, his team isn't great at all, and they need his offense, so that might have something to do with it. 5. Cam Whitmore 2024-25 Season Stats: 9.4 PPG, 1.0 APG, 44.4% FG, 3.5-7.9 FG, 2.3-3.6 3-PT FG Cam Whitmore's a paradox, a high-upside rookie whose game screams 'me first,' even while battling for reps. With fewer than 17 minutes per night, he still asserts himself as a micro-shot-monster: quick to fire, quick to flash frustration, even when bench minutes. His efficiency (44.4%, 35.5% from deep) is solid, but his regard for flow is non-existent; he'll pull up on the move in the corner instead of cracking defenses or finding cutters. The lore of his irritation over limited time only underscores the ball-stingy impulse: Cam wants to score, stat, heck, ownership of the offense begins with the ball in his hands. That bravado is vintage ball-hog energy wrapped in youngster roots. His inability to move the ball is a major reason why the Houston Rockets traded him, but we hope Whitmore can prove himself to be an all-around player with the Washington Wizards. 6. Kyle Kuzma 2024-25 Season Stats: 14.8 PPG, 2.3 APG, 43.6% FG, 5.7-13.0 FG, 1.5-4.8 3-PT FG Kyle Kuzma's a savvy volume spacer, flinging 13 shots nightly and carving out his niche with 14.8 PPG. His mid-range pull-ups and stepbacks have become his signature, even if they sometimes shut down ball movement in crunch time. He's a tweener: too scoring-heavy for a true second option, yet not efficient enough to justify avoiding ball rotations. When action stops and everyone stares, Kuzma's usually the guy hoisting. He's got range and polish, but sometimes that polish comes with selfish slowdowns. 7. Michael Porter Jr. 2024-25 Season Stats: 18.2 PPG, 2.1 APG, 50.4% FG, 6.9-13.6 FG, 2.5-6.4 3-PT FG Michael Porter Jr. is pure scoring, even in Denver's loaded system; he averages 18.2 PPG on elite 50% shooting. He'll isolate at the elbow, drain threes off one dribble, and keep firing even when the bench is begging for a touch. Sure, that's his role and what he is supposed to do, but we have seen Porter Jr. show complete disregard for his teammates too many times. Reckon him as a professional shot-grabber: his hands go up first, before anyone else even moves. Supports the ball-hog crown with aggression, but you can't blame him; he's just capitalizing on offensive gravity. Porter Jr. wants a bigger role with the Brooklyn Nets, so let's see if he can show more parts of his game. 8. DeMar DeRozan 2024-25 Season Stats: 22.2 PPG, 4.4 APG, 47.7% FG, 8.1-17.0 FG, 1.1-3.3 3-PT FG DeMar DeRozan is a vintage isolation maestro, averaging 22.2 PPG while hoisting 17 attempts a night. His mid-range game is ferocious, buttressed by bulldozer drives and late-clock hero-ball that often goes unsaid but always shows up on the court. Efficient? Absolutely. But you'd almost think the offense would freeze without him dialed up, because it often does. Sacramento rides DeMar's shoulder into battle; if he misses, the air goes flat. Classic ball-hog rhythm: do or die by his hold. There is a reason why DeRozan hasn't been on too many winning playoff teams, because he tends to focus on scoring the ball and shooting over defenders more than other areas of the game. 9. Bradley Beal 2024-25 Season Stats: 17.0 PPG, 3.7 APG, 49.7% FG, 6.5-13.1 FG, 1.9-5.0 3-PT FG Bradley Beal put up 17 PPG on just under 50% shooting, with five threes a night. He's aggressively hunting shots. He's still that shooter-first certified guy, chasing buckets as his main contribution in Phoenix's mix. He's quieter than his streaky past, but the pattern remains: spot-up, dribble-drain, repeat. He's not the engine, but when you dial into the offense, he's plenty relevant. And yes, he still hoards the looks, even if he's a calm, cool hoarder now. The Suns couldn't take having him on the roster anymore (and vice-versa), so Beal hopes he can bring his offensive talents to the Los Angeles Clippers next season. 10. Zach LaVine 2024-25 Season Stats: 23.3 PPG, 4.2 APG, 51.1% FG, 8.4-16.5 FG, 3.2-7.2 3-PT FG Zach LaVine rejoined the paint with 23.3 points unevenly cooked, scoring over half of his 15 shots, including 3.2 triples nightly. He's athletic, loud, flashy, and unafraid to flex even when offensive balance screams for more movement. He demands touches, craves iso, and'll take it at forty-four minutes flat when the team gets stale. LaVine is an elite shooter, so we will give him that, and he's certainly a highlight reel in sneakers, but sometimes, a ball-hog reel story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks linked to former Clippers sharpshooter
The New York Knicks have already made numerous additions to beef up their second unit ahead of next season. Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele have already joined the party, and the Knicks might not be done quite yet. The Knicks still have one remaining contract that they can hand out in free agency, and many players have come up as potential targets. Sports Illustrated's Henry Brown mentioned Amir Coffey as a potential fit for the Knicks. 'He played over 24 minutes per game in 2024-25 before slipping out of the playoff rotation in a tight, seven-game loss against the Denver Nuggets, but he won't be asked to play big minutes should the Knicks pick him up,' Brown wrote. 'They're already projected to go at least nine-deep on the regular between their talented starting lineup and improved bench, and could use a 40+ 3-point shooter to improve the spacing of their reserve lineups.' Coffey has spent his entire six-season career with the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 6.7 points and 1.1 assists per game in his career. This past season, Coffey averaged a career-high 9.7 points per game in 72 appearances (13 starts), and shot 41 percent from three-point range. Coffey could provide the Knicks with added spacing off the bench, and also as a versatile wing in the second unit. Standing at 6-foot-7, Coffey can play at shooting guard or small forward, and gives the team a lot of versatility to mix-and-match lineups.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knicks star point guard shares thoughts on Jordan Clarkson signing
The New York Knicks made a big addition to their second unit by signing former Sixth Man of The Year Jordan Clarkson to a one-year, $3.6 million deal earlier this offseason. Clarkson has been one of the league's best bench players over the last half-decade, leading the NBA in bench points since 2020. He spent the last six seasons with the Utah Jazz, where he averaged 17.5 points per game off the bench, and won the Sixth Man of The Year award in 2021. The Knicks are presumably pleased with bringing in Clarkson for next season, as is the team's superstar point guard Jalen Brunson, who on his podcast 'The Roommates Show,' told his reaction to the team bringing in Clarkson. 'I know him,' Brunson said. 'Talked to him for a little bit. Good dude. Surrounds himself with good people that I know. A great addition for us, for sure.' The Knicks were last in total bench points, and bench points per game by a wide margin last season, bringing in the league's top bench scorer will surely help resolve at least some of those issues. Additionally, signing Clarkson gives the Knicks another ball handling scorer to take some of the pressure off of Jalen Brunson, and allows the Knicks showcase their depth on a level that they haven't been able to in quite some time. Last season, Clarkson averaged 16.2 points per game while shooting 36 percent from three-point range in 37 games (28 off the bench).
