French domestic veteran: I had the opportunity to join the Knicks, but they said I was just a spare tire

Daniel Theis, a German inside player who returned to Europe to play in the second half of last season, recently accepted an interview with reporters. In the interview, he also talked about his experience of choosing not to stay in the NBA but to return to the European arena after being cut by his former club, New Orleans Pelicans last season.

Tes said: I could have joined the New York Knicks, but they wanted to treat me more as an insurance policy after Mitchell Robinson's return from a long-term injury. I talked to Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks' then head coach, and he told me clearly that yes, that's probably what happened. If Robinson can't play, you will be our insurance, which is basically similar to the role played by PJ Tucker before. So for me, I was thinking, well, if I were on the bench all season, how many more opportunities would I have this summer? So I thought at the time that if I chose to play in Europe and perform well in the European arena, maybe I would have more opportunities. That's all I chose to return to Europe and I want to see how exactly it is going there.

Thes signed with the New Orleans Pelicans last summer. In the NBA regular season last season, Theis played 38 games for the Pelicans, averaging 16.3 minutes per game, with averaging 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks, and 0.7 turnovers and 1.8 fouls. His shooting percentage was 47.3%, a three-point shooting percentage of 24.3%, and a free throw shooting percentage of 83.8%. Theis's performance in the Pelicans was not ideal. He was sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder by the Pelicans before the trading deadline and was immediately cut by the Thunder. Since then, Theis chose to switch to the European arena and joined the French Ligue 1 powerhouse Monaco.

After joining Monaco, Theis played 21 games in all competitions, averaging 21.8 minutes per game, with averaging 11.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.2 steals and 0.7 blocks, and 1.8 turnovers and 3.5 fouls. His shooting percentage was 57.9%, three-point shooting percentage was 38.7%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 80.8%. Thes performed quite well after returning to the European arena last season. He showed quite good personal abilities. He also showed his own characteristics and value on the offensive end, with super personal scoring ability and comprehensive offensive methods. According to previous news, Theis has completed a contract renewal with Monaco, and he will continue to stay in the Ligue 1 next season. In this way, for Thes, who is already 32 years old, the choice in the second half of last season was also the right choice, which may also save his career.