Ron Baker has exercised his $4.5 million player option for the 18-19 season with the New York Knicks.

Baker signed a two-year, $8.9 million deal with the Knicks last offseason.

The Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns have interest in signing Michael Beasley.

The New York Knicks also remain interested in signing Beasley, who played for David Fizdale with the Heat.

“He likes him a lot,’’ said a source close to Beasley.

Beasley already owns a home in Atlanta.

Beasley played for the veteran's minimum of $2.3 million last season.

“He definitely wants to come back to New York and play for Fizdale,’’ the source close to Beasley said. “Fizdale is another plus. But it’s still a business.’’

The New York Knicks are in talks to hire Pat Sullivan as an assistant coach.

Sullivan has coached with the Clippers over the past two seasons.

Sullivan is a native of New Jersey and worked with Scott Perry with the Pistons.

The New York Knicks are in talks to hire Jud Buechler on the coaching staff of David Fizdale.

Buechler has coached as an assistant under Luke Walton with the Lakers, where he worked in player development. 

Keith Smart is also expected to be hired as a top assistant coach under Fizdale.

The New York Knicks are targeting Trae Young with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, according to multiple sources.

Young is considered an ideal fit alongside Frank Ntilikina, who is more of a shooting guard and has limited range.

Young's father recently revealed that New York would be a desirable destination as a big market.

The Knicks interviewed Young on Friday.

David Fizdale took the first steps for the New York Knicks to rebuild their relationship with Kristaps Porzingis by meeting with his brother on Friday.

Janis Porzingis also serves as the agent for Kristaps Porzingis.

Porzingis didn't attend as he remains in Madrid rehabilitating his torn ACL.

Fizdale is still hoping to meet face-to-face with Kristaps in Latvia at some point this summer. 

Phil Jackson, Jeff Hornacek, Steve Mills and Scott Perry never traveled to the home country of Porzingis.

The Houston Rockets pursued a trade for Carmelo Anthony last offseason and sources say they were optimistic at one point that a three-way deal would be agreed upon with the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers.

The talks with the Knicks, however, fizzled, after the exit of Phil Jackson after the draft and before the start of free agency.

The Rockets' potential trade for Anthony had no impact on their interest in signing P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute in free agency.

James Harden began to recruit Tucker days after their season ended as they hung out together in Atlanta.

"Yo, you're coming to Houston," Harden told him then, according to Tucker. "We need what you do."

Anthony was eventually traded to the Thunder in a package for Enes Kanter.

The Phoenix Suns have won the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery while the Sacramento Kings moved up to No. 2 and the Atlanta Hawks will select at No. 3.

1. Phoenix Suns
2. Sacramento Kings
3. Atlanta Hawks
4. Memphis Grizzlies
5. Dallas Mavericks
6. Orlando Magic
7. Chicago Bulls
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Nets)
9. New York Knicks
10. Philadelphia 76ers (from Lakers)
11. Charlotte Hornets
12. Los Angeles Clippers (from Pistons)
13. Los Angeles Clippers
14. Denver Nuggets

You can create your own shareable mock draft with our simulator.

The New York Knicks are expected to hire Nick Van Exel as an assistant coach on the staff of David Fizdale.

Van Exel was an assistant coach under Fizdale with the Grizzlies.

Keith Smart is also expected to join Fizdale.

Bob Bender could also join the Grizzlies.

David Fizdale plans on traveling to Latvia to meet with Kristaps Porzingis.

Porzingis has had a difficult relationship with the Knicks at times, skipping last season's exit meeting.

“I’m a fresh start for [Porzingis],” Fizdale said on MSG Network. “I really feel like I’m going to make a great connection with him and his family. We’re going to build something special around him that he feels great about.”

Porzingis is rehabbing his torn ACL.

“The best way to describe him is he’s the future of the NBA,” Fizdale said. “Look around who’s playing right now. They all got guys super long, super athletic, super skilled, super tough-minded. He fits all of the qualities of a megastar and a guy who can really propel a franchise forward to high places.”