Sasha Vujacic may be one of few returnees to the New York Knicks next season. (Photo : Getty Image/Christian Petersen)
Sasha Vujacic is among the players that the New York Knicks are reportedly planning to recall as Phil Jackson focuses on retooling his supporting cast. Vujacic is a long-time disciple of the triangle offense’ and may be signed up to a minimum contract.
The New York Knicks are now in the midst of arranging their supporting cast and leading the way is a former player Sasha Vujacic. Vujacic is a long-time Phil Jackson disciple and someone who is pretty familiar with the triangle offense.
The Knicks have had a pretty busy offseason so far, acquiring key players through trades and the free agent market. Derrick Rose was the first big acquisition the team had via trade with the Chicago Bulls. Another former Bull in Joakim Noah followed, reuniting the long-time teammates.
Courtney Lee was also signed up, giving the Knicks a pretty formidable lineup heading into the 2016-17 NBA season. Jackson now tries to fill the team with able backups starting no less with Vujacic according to the New York Post.
Vujacic returned last season after spending three years in Europe. After starting out slow, the 32-year-old guard ended up starting for the Knicks in lieu of an injured Arron Afflalo.
The Knicks plan to offer Vujacic a minimum deal which is approximated to be worth around $1.6 million. He could be a big help to new head coach Jeff Hornacek who is expected to have his hands full understanding the triangle offense philosophy that Jackson wants in place.
The Knicks have busy days ahead with a practically retooled lineup. They lost Langston Galloway to the New Orleans Pelicans and renounced several players from last year’s roster.
Among the players the Knicks parted with include Derrick Williams, Kevin Seraphin, Lou Amundson and Cleanthony Early according to ESPN.
So far, the Knicks have re-signed Lance Thomas and added forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas according to NBA.com. While Thomas is not a new face, the addition of the 26-year-old Lithuanian should be interesting.
Kuzminskas is considered a cheaper alternative for the Knicks who are looking to fill in the void left by Williams. With the Knicks pressed for cap space, Williams chose to opt out.
In another report from the New York Post, scouts claim that Kuzminskas carries skills similar to another ex-Knick Danilo Gallinari. Jackson however cautions that while that could be true, it all depends if Kuzminskas can adapt to the NBA brand of play.
“It may take him an adjustment to NBA play — we understand. It gives us another opportunity to play smaller, quicker with a wide extension of spacing.”
Check out the video below as Sasha Vujacic explains why he returned with the Knicks as well as his relationship with president Phil Jackson.
