Former Knicks head coach David Fizdale told the “Run It Back” podcast that he and New York’s front office intentionally aimed to lose games during the 2018-19 season to increase their lottery odds for Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. Fizdale added that management assured him Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving would sign with the club the following summer.
“Losing all them damn games, donating my record to get Zion Williamson or Ja,” Fizdale said, recalling the agreement. The Knicks finished 17-65, fell to the No. 3 pick, and drafted RJ Barrett, who was later traded to Toronto. Durant and Irving chose Brooklyn instead, and Fizdale was dismissed 22 games into the next season after a 4-18 start.
Fizdale now believes he should have “fought more to build a team early on,” noting that tanking should be part of a broader plan rather than an end in itself.
Gambling Case Headed to Court
A federal judge scheduled a November 2 trial for Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones and nearly three dozen co-defendants charged in a gambling investigation, ESPN’s Aaron Katersky reported from Wednesday’s status hearing in Brooklyn. Prosecutors intend to offer plea deals to at least 12 defendants in the coming days and said nine others are in productive plea discussions. Whether Billups or Jones are among those groups remains unknown.
VanVleet Juggles ACL Rehab and Union Leadership
Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, recovering from an ACL tear in his right knee, told The New York Times he is working to unify players who felt let down by the most recent collective bargaining agreement, which introduced the apron salary-cap mechanism. VanVleet serves as president of the National Basketball Players Association.
Extension Watch
Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (subscription required) highlighted several potential extension candidates, including Trae Young, Keon Ellis and Dean Wade.
The developments span coaching hindsight, legal proceedings, labor leadership and contract projections, underscoring a busy week around the NBA.
Source: Hoops Rumors
