Wednesday Posted & Toasted Notes: Clarkson’s Concession, Adam Silver On The Second Apron

Shouts out to the animal lovers in the comments. You make our jobs easier. Here’s today’s list of links and notes for you to enjoy.

• Per HoopsRumors, Jordan Clarkson waived the trade-veto rights he would normally receive after re-signing with the Knicks on a one-year deal. No, Clarkson is not getting traded tomorrow, but this concession could prove key mid-season when/if the Knicks need someone to match salaries or find the final piece to complete the back-to-back-champions puzzle. Are all Filipinos this charming?
• The Knicks might still be searching for another center, but we’re starting to lose it with the targets, aren’t we?
• CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn went much bigger and shared his “ultra aggressive backup center idea” for the Knicks ahead of next season. Can you guess the target? Tip: in Quinn’s estimation, it’d take sending a 2032 swap and a 2033 unprotected first the other way.
• Former St. John’s standout and SummerKnick guard Oziyah Sellers talked to the New York Post’s Zach Braziller and spoke highly of both the Red Storm and Knicks organizations, among many other things. Worth the read, here’s a tease:

“Coming from St. John’s, I feel like we had that same mentality. We wanted to win really bad. It wasn’t too hard of a transition mindset-wise. Two kinds of similar programs in terms of mindset. It’s definitely something you have to bring every day.

“Obviously, being at St. John’s we play pretty much all our home games at the Garden. So I feel like we have a lot of the same fanbase. Knicks fans, a lot of them are St. John’s fans. It’s kind of like a perfect fit, transitioning right to the Knicks. I’m just grateful for it, for sure.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Isaiah De Los Santos has seen enough from Jack Kayil to think the Knicks might have no excuse not to sign him.
• Adam Silver washed his hands and clarified that the NBA did not pause the Kawhi trade. Silver claims the very own Raptors and Clippers chose not to complete it while the investigation remains open.
• Silver also defended the second apron, saying the roster disruption is an intended consequence of it and that the system is creating competition across the league.

“It’s certainly not an unintended consequence… the purpose of this system is ultimately to create competition throughout the league and from that standpoint I think the system’s working incredibly well. The goal isn’t necessarily to have a different champion every year but we’ve had 8 different champions over the last 8 years”

• Kevin Durant spent part of Tuesday doing what he does best, no burner accounts needed.
• Bronny James’ future with the Lakers is reportedly not automatically tied to father LeBron, reports The Athletic’s Dan Woike. Shocker! Bryce, warm up.
• The Kawhi Leonard investigation has expanded beyond the original Aspiration sponsorship issue. Investigators have examined whether the Clippers paid expenses for Leonard without reimbursement and whether he had another undisclosed endorsement agreement. Remember, Kawhi is an in-limbo Clipper with the Raptors left out in the cold for now.
• Spain beat France 2-0 at the World Cup.