Knicks gonna Knick

After the Knicks offered Tim Hardaway Jr. an incredibly large contract last week, there was a glimmer of hope for the fandom: The franchise had engaged David Griffin, one-time Executive of the Year and architect (in a way) of the three-time Eastern champion Cavaliers.

On Sunday, the Hawks declined to match the Hardaway offer sheet, making the guard a pricy Knick. Later, reports indicated that Griffin declined a job with the Knicks because he wouldn’t be given decision-making autonomy.

There’s a certain poetry in this: A team that found itself between front office leaders decided to offer a fourth option, almost a fifth of the salary cap for no compelling reason, and then lost the top candidate for its front office vacancy over decision-making power. “Nah, we’re clearly suited to make decisions on behalf of the team. Check out our new player!” No word on whether Hardaway’s locker will be situated next to that of Joakim Noah.

In the Griffin aftermath, there has been some pondering about whether Phil Jackson was really the problem. Of course not! The Knicks’ doom predates Jackson. The problem was that many saw the Zen Master as the solution when there was never any evidence he was suited for the role he took. Concerns to that effect were proved painfully accurate. Phil exacerbated problems and fixed nothing.

The Knicks can still get out of this mess by hiring a proven front office leader and getting out of the way. Based on how the Griffin courtship played out, there is, like, no chance of that happening right now.

Reminder: NBA free-agent signing tracker and NBA free-agent and trade-rumor tracker. Lots of signings over the weekend, including Aron Baynes to Boston, Alan Williams staying in Phoenix, and Shelvin Mack to Orlando.

In his last Sunday Shootaround of the season, Paul Flannery delves deep into what the other Western contenders did not do: lay down to the Warriors. A number of teams strapped up for the coming battles with the Golden State juggernaut. Why? Every team has its reasons. Check it out.

Is it too hot out? Blame Jaylen Brown’s dunk on the Blazers.

Tim Cato reports from Vegas on the Lonzo Ball mania taking over Summer League.

Woo wee, your boy James Harden signed the Rockets’ designated player veteran extension — which was basically created in recent bargaining talks to ensure Harden and Russell Westbrook could benefit quickly from the Durant Rule contracts — which will keep him in Houston through 2023. Right now, Houston owes Harden $228 million over six years. That’s a looooot of beard oil.

The biggest move since we last met: The Celtics traded Avery Bradley to the Pistons for Marcus Morris, clearing some cap space and setting up new contracts for Isaiah Thomas and possibly Marcus Smart. The Pistons also decided to renounce Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the shakeout, which is, frankly, an incredible decision.

KCP was a restricted free agent, and teams were running out of cap space. It was a tough market for restricted free agents other than Otto Porter and Tim Hardaway. There is some debate about whether KCP is good. If you think Bradley is the most underrated player in the NBA (which he might be), then you ought to hold on to some hope for KCP, who could be an elite defender and isn’t a bad shooter.

The Raptors were also quite active. For a moment after signing Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, it looked like Toronto would just run it back. But the team cut some salary by shipping DeMarre Carroll to Brooklyn with picks and then pulled off a sign-and-trade for C.J. Miles, who is a better, younger version of P.J. Tucker. Cory Joseph, an able reserve point guard, was the cost. This should make the Raptors more versatile and give some room to grow for Delon Wright as Lowry’s apprentice. Also: free Norm Powell.

The Wizards matched on Otto Porter, of course. I know some smart people are questioning that salary level for Porter, but I’m all in. He’s good.

Jamal Crawford reached a buyout deal with the Hawks and quickly signed with the Timberwolves. Now that’s a smart match.

The Cavaliers decided to get into the Jeff Green business.

Markelle Fultz sprained his ankle and is done for the summer. Sixers fans lost a couple of years off their lives in the process.

Joel Embiid got fined for tweeting “F--- LaVar Ball.” Sixers fans are raising money to cover it.

There is no question that Quincy Acy is the best outdoorsman in the league. Look at this damn sailfish he caught!

The Mavericks are clearly rebuilding. Mark Cuban says that if Dallas were in the Eastern Conference, they would be trying to win now.

What’s the best basketball team you could make out of players with the same first name? Spoiler alert: a surprising defeat for the Michaels!