DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 16: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets is defended by RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in the first half at Ball Arena on November 16, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Knicks News: RJ Barrett named to Canada FIBA roster, Steph Curry on Donte DiVincenzo
New York and Team USA will be represented by Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart at the FIBA World Cup, but they aren’t the only prominent Knicks players who will be there. Canada released its roster on Thursday, and guess who’s on it? RJ Barrett.
The United States is in Group C and will play New Zealand, Greece, and Jordan in the Group Phase. Barrett and Canada are in Group H and will compete against France, Lebanon, and Latvia in the Group Phase. Yes, Barrett will go up against Evan Fournier, who may or may not still be a Knick then, and former lottery pick Frank Ntilikina.
The elimination round will begin on Sept. 5 and the championship will be on Sept. 10.
Steve Kerr raved about Donte DiVincenzo at Summer League when asked about the newest Knick, and Steph Curry did the same at the American Century Championships.
“He’s all about basketball, he’s all about winning. He brings great energy to the locker room,” the Warriors star said on Thursday while discussing his golf game ahead of the American Century Championships. “I used to call him the vet even though he’s still on the younger side, just because he’s got that kind of spirit about him. He plays way beyond his years. He’s good on both sides of the ball, he can play-make better than most people probably realize. So he fills a lot of holes on a team.”
More Knicks news
- Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported that the Knicks are still engaged in trade talks surrounding Evan Fournier and are open to the idea of trading him as part of a multi-team deal.
- New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy reported (subscription required) that according to a source, the Knicks are “monitoring the free-agent market for a veteran big.” Bondy listed Gorgui Dieng and Derrick Jones Jr. as two players that New York could be interested in.
- During the Knicks’ Summer League overtime win on Wednesday, Amar’e Stoudemire said that New York’s “cohesiveness was beautiful to watch” during the 2022-23 season.
NBA news
- The NBA granted the Bulls a $10.2 million disabled player exception for Lonzo Ball, who will miss the entire 2023-24 season. Ball’s dealt with a knee injury for the past year and a half. He didn’t play at all in 2022-23.
- Adam Silver revealed that the NBA will consider expanding in 2025 after the current media rights deal is up. The commissioner named Las Vegas and Seattle as two cities that could be included in the expansion.
- According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Trail Blazers are optimistic that in a possible Damian Lillard trade with the Heat, there will be a third team looped in to get Tyler Herro and send a first-round pick to Portland in the process. Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin has said that the organization is in no rush to trade Dame.
