Knicks · So what's our most likely offseason now? (page 2)

NYKBocker @ 2/20/2015 9:17 AM
It depends on who we get with the 1st pick. We get Towns or OK4 then FA signings would be in the perimeter. Mundiay or Russell then watch Phil go after LMA and the like.
Knixkik @ 2/20/2015 11:42 AM
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:Ha, I just typed a new thread about this, so I'll paste it here and mods can lock the other one.

Phil's done what he needed to do- he's cleared Felton and JR's salary off the books and given us about $30mil spending money. We've got some cheap players on low contracts to make up the bench (Early, Tim Jr, Gallo, Thomas, Larkin, Acy, Cole, Amundson). Calderon I don't mind especially with FA PG options diminishing. we've got a top first round pick hopefully coming our way too.

The trades at the deadline have made Dragic and Reggie Jackson very unlikely. Also you can cross Patrick Beverley off the list too because Houston failed to upgrade their PG spot, so they're more likely to keep him. Suns have lost IT and Dragic so they'll definitely match any offers to Knight. Also now the Bucks no longer have to pay Knight, they are more likely to match offers for Khris Middleton.

On the positive side, maybe Monroe is more available (will the Pistons go Max on both Monroe and Reggie Jackson, especially with Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings still on the books?). Also, Blazers just traded a first for Afflalo, which hopefully means Wes Mathews may be more available (it's doubtful, but not impossible they pay both of them).

I still think Kevin Love is a possibility- I don't like him, but if the Cavs go out early in the playoffs, and they continue to struggle to integrate him, maybe he can be sold on the big market and an offense that is actually Taylor made for him.

So overall, we have little chance of upgrading the Pg spot, however SG is very possible (Wes, Afflalo, Green), as is PF (Monroe, Milsap and Kevin Love). C is looking a bit thin (Robin Lopez and Asik). I'd say that makes Towns and Russell more attractive as draft options.

But we won't have $30M to spend. After the draft, we'll have something like $4M less to spend depending on exactly where we draft. And if we're going to keep Larkin, Acy, Cole, Thomas, and Amundson that's another $5M-ish. And that doesn't include Wear or Shved. In your scenario, we have something like $20M to spend on free agents and if we want to keep Wear that's another $1M and Shved would be another $4M.

Phil isn't going in with less than 25-27m to spend after the draft. Besides Melo, Calderon, our pick, Galloway, Early, and Hardaway Jr, everyone else is an after thought until we add the big free agents we need. Should have anywhere from 25-28m to spend on 2 big name players.

smackeddog @ 2/20/2015 12:48 PM
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:Ha, I just typed a new thread about this, so I'll paste it here and mods can lock the other one.

Phil's done what he needed to do- he's cleared Felton and JR's salary off the books and given us about $30mil spending money. We've got some cheap players on low contracts to make up the bench (Early, Tim Jr, Gallo, Thomas, Larkin, Acy, Cole, Amundson). Calderon I don't mind especially with FA PG options diminishing. we've got a top first round pick hopefully coming our way too.

The trades at the deadline have made Dragic and Reggie Jackson very unlikely. Also you can cross Patrick Beverley off the list too because Houston failed to upgrade their PG spot, so they're more likely to keep him. Suns have lost IT and Dragic so they'll definitely match any offers to Knight. Also now the Bucks no longer have to pay Knight, they are more likely to match offers for Khris Middleton.

On the positive side, maybe Monroe is more available (will the Pistons go Max on both Monroe and Reggie Jackson, especially with Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings still on the books?). Also, Blazers just traded a first for Afflalo, which hopefully means Wes Mathews may be more available (it's doubtful, but not impossible they pay both of them).

I still think Kevin Love is a possibility- I don't like him, but if the Cavs go out early in the playoffs, and they continue to struggle to integrate him, maybe he can be sold on the big market and an offense that is actually Taylor made for him.

So overall, we have little chance of upgrading the Pg spot, however SG is very possible (Wes, Afflalo, Green), as is PF (Monroe, Milsap and Kevin Love). C is looking a bit thin (Robin Lopez and Asik). I'd say that makes Towns and Russell more attractive as draft options.

But we won't have $30M to spend. After the draft, we'll have something like $4M less to spend depending on exactly where we draft. And if we're going to keep Larkin, Acy, Cole, Thomas, and Amundson that's another $5M-ish. And that doesn't include Wear or Shved. In your scenario, we have something like $20M to spend on free agents and if we want to keep Wear that's another $1M and Shved would be another $4M.

We have more than $20mil- this will help with your calculations:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.h...

Likely we let Acy go, and probably Larkin (or we would have picked up his option this year), maybe even Cole.

VCoug @ 2/20/2015 2:30 PM
EnySpree wrote:
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:Ha, I just typed a new thread about this, so I'll paste it here and mods can lock the other one.

Phil's done what he needed to do- he's cleared Felton and JR's salary off the books and given us about $30mil spending money. We've got some cheap players on low contracts to make up the bench (Early, Tim Jr, Gallo, Thomas, Larkin, Acy, Cole, Amundson). Calderon I don't mind especially with FA PG options diminishing. we've got a top first round pick hopefully coming our way too.

The trades at the deadline have made Dragic and Reggie Jackson very unlikely. Also you can cross Patrick Beverley off the list too because Houston failed to upgrade their PG spot, so they're more likely to keep him. Suns have lost IT and Dragic so they'll definitely match any offers to Knight. Also now the Bucks no longer have to pay Knight, they are more likely to match offers for Khris Middleton.

On the positive side, maybe Monroe is more available (will the Pistons go Max on both Monroe and Reggie Jackson, especially with Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings still on the books?). Also, Blazers just traded a first for Afflalo, which hopefully means Wes Mathews may be more available (it's doubtful, but not impossible they pay both of them).

I still think Kevin Love is a possibility- I don't like him, but if the Cavs go out early in the playoffs, and they continue to struggle to integrate him, maybe he can be sold on the big market and an offense that is actually Taylor made for him.

So overall, we have little chance of upgrading the Pg spot, however SG is very possible (Wes, Afflalo, Green), as is PF (Monroe, Milsap and Kevin Love). C is looking a bit thin (Robin Lopez and Asik). I'd say that makes Towns and Russell more attractive as draft options.

But we won't have $30M to spend. After the draft, we'll have something like $4M less to spend depending on exactly where we draft. And if we're going to keep Larkin, Acy, Cole, Thomas, and Amundson that's another $5M-ish. And that doesn't include Wear or Shved. In your scenario, we have something like $20M to spend on free agents and if we want to keep Wear that's another $1M and Shved would be another $4M.

You simply don't count all those bums. Yoy try to get the upgrades you need. Then you look to resign the bench fodder. You renounce whoever is necessary to get the big guys here. Right now acy, wear and Cole should be after thoughts. They had a long look and they are terrible.

How are we resigning them? If we renounce them we won't be able to go over the cap to resign them. And we won't have any exceptions available except for the $2M room exception.

VCoug @ 2/20/2015 2:39 PM
smackeddog wrote:
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:Ha, I just typed a new thread about this, so I'll paste it here and mods can lock the other one.

Phil's done what he needed to do- he's cleared Felton and JR's salary off the books and given us about $30mil spending money. We've got some cheap players on low contracts to make up the bench (Early, Tim Jr, Gallo, Thomas, Larkin, Acy, Cole, Amundson). Calderon I don't mind especially with FA PG options diminishing. we've got a top first round pick hopefully coming our way too.

The trades at the deadline have made Dragic and Reggie Jackson very unlikely. Also you can cross Patrick Beverley off the list too because Houston failed to upgrade their PG spot, so they're more likely to keep him. Suns have lost IT and Dragic so they'll definitely match any offers to Knight. Also now the Bucks no longer have to pay Knight, they are more likely to match offers for Khris Middleton.

On the positive side, maybe Monroe is more available (will the Pistons go Max on both Monroe and Reggie Jackson, especially with Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings still on the books?). Also, Blazers just traded a first for Afflalo, which hopefully means Wes Mathews may be more available (it's doubtful, but not impossible they pay both of them).

I still think Kevin Love is a possibility- I don't like him, but if the Cavs go out early in the playoffs, and they continue to struggle to integrate him, maybe he can be sold on the big market and an offense that is actually Taylor made for him.

So overall, we have little chance of upgrading the Pg spot, however SG is very possible (Wes, Afflalo, Green), as is PF (Monroe, Milsap and Kevin Love). C is looking a bit thin (Robin Lopez and Asik). I'd say that makes Towns and Russell more attractive as draft options.

But we won't have $30M to spend. After the draft, we'll have something like $4M less to spend depending on exactly where we draft. And if we're going to keep Larkin, Acy, Cole, Thomas, and Amundson that's another $5M-ish. And that doesn't include Wear or Shved. In your scenario, we have something like $20M to spend on free agents and if we want to keep Wear that's another $1M and Shved would be another $4M.

We have more than $20mil- this will help with your calculations:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.h...

Likely we let Acy go, and probably Larkin (or we would have picked up his option this year), maybe even Cole.

My calculations are correct. After the draft, if we renounce everyone we'll have somewhere around $27M in cap space. If we keep the guys you're talking about keeping we'll have closer to $20M.

smackeddog @ 2/20/2015 2:57 PM
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:Ha, I just typed a new thread about this, so I'll paste it here and mods can lock the other one.

Phil's done what he needed to do- he's cleared Felton and JR's salary off the books and given us about $30mil spending money. We've got some cheap players on low contracts to make up the bench (Early, Tim Jr, Gallo, Thomas, Larkin, Acy, Cole, Amundson). Calderon I don't mind especially with FA PG options diminishing. we've got a top first round pick hopefully coming our way too.

The trades at the deadline have made Dragic and Reggie Jackson very unlikely. Also you can cross Patrick Beverley off the list too because Houston failed to upgrade their PG spot, so they're more likely to keep him. Suns have lost IT and Dragic so they'll definitely match any offers to Knight. Also now the Bucks no longer have to pay Knight, they are more likely to match offers for Khris Middleton.

On the positive side, maybe Monroe is more available (will the Pistons go Max on both Monroe and Reggie Jackson, especially with Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings still on the books?). Also, Blazers just traded a first for Afflalo, which hopefully means Wes Mathews may be more available (it's doubtful, but not impossible they pay both of them).

I still think Kevin Love is a possibility- I don't like him, but if the Cavs go out early in the playoffs, and they continue to struggle to integrate him, maybe he can be sold on the big market and an offense that is actually Taylor made for him.

So overall, we have little chance of upgrading the Pg spot, however SG is very possible (Wes, Afflalo, Green), as is PF (Monroe, Milsap and Kevin Love). C is looking a bit thin (Robin Lopez and Asik). I'd say that makes Towns and Russell more attractive as draft options.

But we won't have $30M to spend. After the draft, we'll have something like $4M less to spend depending on exactly where we draft. And if we're going to keep Larkin, Acy, Cole, Thomas, and Amundson that's another $5M-ish. And that doesn't include Wear or Shved. In your scenario, we have something like $20M to spend on free agents and if we want to keep Wear that's another $1M and Shved would be another $4M.

We have more than $20mil- this will help with your calculations:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.h...

Likely we let Acy go, and probably Larkin (or we would have picked up his option this year), maybe even Cole.

My calculations are correct. After the draft, if we renounce everyone we'll have somewhere around $27M in cap space. If we keep the guys you're talking about keeping we'll have closer to $20M.

I have no intention of keeping most of those guys you mentioned. We keep Melo, Calderon, Gallo, Thannasis, Early, Tim Jr. (if we have to), plus the player we draft. You add two free agents, plus a 3rd with the exemption you get once you spend up to the cap. Add Thomas and Amundson on minimums if you like, and fill it out with cheap crap.

Knixkik @ 2/20/2015 3:02 PM
smackeddog wrote:
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:Ha, I just typed a new thread about this, so I'll paste it here and mods can lock the other one.

Phil's done what he needed to do- he's cleared Felton and JR's salary off the books and given us about $30mil spending money. We've got some cheap players on low contracts to make up the bench (Early, Tim Jr, Gallo, Thomas, Larkin, Acy, Cole, Amundson). Calderon I don't mind especially with FA PG options diminishing. we've got a top first round pick hopefully coming our way too.

The trades at the deadline have made Dragic and Reggie Jackson very unlikely. Also you can cross Patrick Beverley off the list too because Houston failed to upgrade their PG spot, so they're more likely to keep him. Suns have lost IT and Dragic so they'll definitely match any offers to Knight. Also now the Bucks no longer have to pay Knight, they are more likely to match offers for Khris Middleton.

On the positive side, maybe Monroe is more available (will the Pistons go Max on both Monroe and Reggie Jackson, especially with Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings still on the books?). Also, Blazers just traded a first for Afflalo, which hopefully means Wes Mathews may be more available (it's doubtful, but not impossible they pay both of them).

I still think Kevin Love is a possibility- I don't like him, but if the Cavs go out early in the playoffs, and they continue to struggle to integrate him, maybe he can be sold on the big market and an offense that is actually Taylor made for him.

So overall, we have little chance of upgrading the Pg spot, however SG is very possible (Wes, Afflalo, Green), as is PF (Monroe, Milsap and Kevin Love). C is looking a bit thin (Robin Lopez and Asik). I'd say that makes Towns and Russell more attractive as draft options.

But we won't have $30M to spend. After the draft, we'll have something like $4M less to spend depending on exactly where we draft. And if we're going to keep Larkin, Acy, Cole, Thomas, and Amundson that's another $5M-ish. And that doesn't include Wear or Shved. In your scenario, we have something like $20M to spend on free agents and if we want to keep Wear that's another $1M and Shved would be another $4M.

We have more than $20mil- this will help with your calculations:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.h...

Likely we let Acy go, and probably Larkin (or we would have picked up his option this year), maybe even Cole.

My calculations are correct. After the draft, if we renounce everyone we'll have somewhere around $27M in cap space. If we keep the guys you're talking about keeping we'll have closer to $20M.

I have no intention of keeping most of those guys you mentioned. We keep Melo, Calderon, Gallo, Thannasis, Early, Tim Jr. (if we have to), plus the player we draft. You add two free agents, plus a 3rd with the exemption you get once you spend up to the cap. Add Thomas and Amundson on minimums if you like, and fill it out with cheap crap.

This is right. Those 6 guys on the roster, plus our pick, 2 major free agents with the cap space, 1 with the exception, and fill out with minimum guys.

crzymdups @ 2/20/2015 3:26 PM
I think the two most likely FA are Tobias Harris and Greg Monroe. Not sure if they'd pursue both.

I think we desperately need a game-changing guard on offense, who can take his man off the dribble and get to the rim and move the ball. I hope they take a loooooong look at D'Angelo Russell, I feel like he could be that guy.

I really coveted Dragic. Losing him to the Heat sucks.

BRIGGS @ 2/20/2015 3:44 PM
crzymdups wrote:I think the two most likely FA are Tobias Harris and Greg Monroe. Not sure if they'd pursue both.

I think we desperately need a game-changing guard on offense, who can take his man off the dribble and get to the rim and move the ball. I hope they take a loooooong look at D'Angelo Russell, I feel like he could be that guy.

I really coveted Dragic. Losing him to the Heat sucks.

cryz--the 2nd we offer all of our cap money to anyone--that is our team for the next 4 years. We cant do that especially with melo being an unknown now.
We need to turn that 30mm into multiple assets. I'm not even naming free agents anymore unless they are smallish until we draft--I want to see what we get--than we can see what is what.

crzymdups @ 2/20/2015 4:09 PM
BRIGGS wrote:
crzymdups wrote:I think the two most likely FA are Tobias Harris and Greg Monroe. Not sure if they'd pursue both.

I think we desperately need a game-changing guard on offense, who can take his man off the dribble and get to the rim and move the ball. I hope they take a loooooong look at D'Angelo Russell, I feel like he could be that guy.

I really coveted Dragic. Losing him to the Heat sucks.

cryz--the 2nd we offer all of our cap money to anyone--that is our team for the next 4 years. We cant do that especially with melo being an unknown now.
We need to turn that 30mm into multiple assets. I'm not even naming free agents anymore unless they are smallish until we draft--I want to see what we get--than we can see what is what.

I said most likely... not necessarily what I would do.

I agree we need to find a way to get like 5-6 very good players, not 2-3. And I also think Melo may never be the same player again after this stupid knee injury. Can't believe they risked the next 4 years to get Melo in the all-star game.

BRIGGS @ 2/20/2015 4:41 PM
crzymdups wrote:
BRIGGS wrote:
crzymdups wrote:I think the two most likely FA are Tobias Harris and Greg Monroe. Not sure if they'd pursue both.

I think we desperately need a game-changing guard on offense, who can take his man off the dribble and get to the rim and move the ball. I hope they take a loooooong look at D'Angelo Russell, I feel like he could be that guy.

I really coveted Dragic. Losing him to the Heat sucks.

cryz--the 2nd we offer all of our cap money to anyone--that is our team for the next 4 years. We cant do that especially with melo being an unknown now.
We need to turn that 30mm into multiple assets. I'm not even naming free agents anymore unless they are smallish until we draft--I want to see what we get--than we can see what is what.

I said most likely... not necessarily what I would do.

I agree we need to find a way to get like 5-6 very good players, not 2-3. And I also think Melo may never be the same player again after this stupid knee injury. Can't believe they risked the next 4 years to get Melo in the all-star game.

I like what Atlanta has done--its the easiest way to get back. They have followed the Spurs model and they dont haev a Tim Duncan per se.

They really do not have a shot blocking C but they play good team D When you put two high caliber skill athletes on the post 6-9 245 and 6-8 250 who each can do 20-10 yet ALSO are good passers and play good team D add in a VERY quick PG who can score and penetrate surround them with 3 point shooters and 1 high energy 3 who plays both ways and a chemistry-laden bench--bang back.

Here is OUR problem. While I understand Phil wants to play a triangle--Jose Calderon is simply not a guy who I want at the head of the dragon so to speak. Defense starts at the PG and his ability to pressure the ball 94 feet if needed. Jose cant do that--and at some point he cannot be hidden ANYWHERE. Thats why I have talked about stretching his contract--to me hes a 2mm $ back up. He can be a 3 pt shooter off the bench

IF it were up to me--I would be HIGHLY aggressive using any asset I had money cap space our 2018 pic a potential trade down hardaway or Early Thansis anyone to get 2-3 BIGS and 1 PG out of this draft that I can set my foundation on. I think there is an avenue to do this. I have to keep free agency and drafting separate. What happened yesterday takes FA down a LOT to me. I think that IF we can be aggressive and set a foundation from the frontcourt and PG positions--we then can piece meal free agency using the cap asset in many ways and also KEEPING it going 4 ward. UNTIL i have developed my own team--I want that cap space option open Y-Y until I can find the "right" player to spend it on. Flexibility is CRUCIAL to us--and while that may change when the TV deal is here--you play the hand in front of you for now.


When the Yankees were great they had a foundation of their own drafted players and Im an ENORMOUS believer in the core drafted player. Since thos e players have moved on even spending 250mm$ a year guarantees nothing. Its a proven fact that its the MOST important factor in sports. Almost every team that has won a championship in basketball has this formula.

Knicks1969 @ 2/20/2015 4:59 PM
I don't foresee the Knicks being able to bring in a high caliber player to pair with Carmelo. Dragic will stay in Miami (no state tax, great weather, and beautiful women); Monroe will stay in Detroit; LA will stay with Portland; etc. I pray that Carmelo recovers nicely, and become even more productive then before.

Knowing our luck, we might end up with ALlen Houston situation all over again.

nyk4ever @ 2/20/2015 5:02 PM
Knicks1969 wrote:I don't foresee the Knicks being able to bring in a high caliber player to pair with Carmelo. Dragic will stay in Miami (no state tax, great weather, and beautiful women); Monroe will stay in Detroit; LA will stay with Portland; etc. I pray that Carmelo recovers nicely, and become even more productive then before.

Knowing our luck, we might end up with ALlen Houston situation all over again.

that was some good insight so basically no FA is going to leave his current team? ok.

crzymdups @ 2/20/2015 5:04 PM
BRIGGS wrote:
crzymdups wrote:
BRIGGS wrote:
crzymdups wrote:I think the two most likely FA are Tobias Harris and Greg Monroe. Not sure if they'd pursue both.

I think we desperately need a game-changing guard on offense, who can take his man off the dribble and get to the rim and move the ball. I hope they take a loooooong look at D'Angelo Russell, I feel like he could be that guy.

I really coveted Dragic. Losing him to the Heat sucks.

cryz--the 2nd we offer all of our cap money to anyone--that is our team for the next 4 years. We cant do that especially with melo being an unknown now.
We need to turn that 30mm into multiple assets. I'm not even naming free agents anymore unless they are smallish until we draft--I want to see what we get--than we can see what is what.

I said most likely... not necessarily what I would do.

I agree we need to find a way to get like 5-6 very good players, not 2-3. And I also think Melo may never be the same player again after this stupid knee injury. Can't believe they risked the next 4 years to get Melo in the all-star game.

I like what Atlanta has done--its the easiest way to get back. They have followed the Spurs model and they dont haev a Tim Duncan per se.

They really do not have a shot blocking C but they play good team D When you put two high caliber skill athletes on the post 6-9 245 and 6-8 250 who each can do 20-10 yet ALSO are good passers and play good team D add in a VERY quick PG who can score and penetrate surround them with 3 point shooters and 1 high energy 3 who plays both ways and a chemistry-laden bench--bang back.

Here is OUR problem. While I understand Phil wants to play a triangle--Jose Calderon is simply not a guy who I want at the head of the dragon so to speak. Defense starts at the PG and his ability to pressure the ball 94 feet if needed. Jose cant do that--and at some point he cannot be hidden ANYWHERE. Thats why I have talked about stretching his contract--to me hes a 2mm $ back up. He can be a 3 pt shooter off the bench

IF it were up to me--I would be HIGHLY aggressive using any asset I had money cap space our 2018 pic a potential trade down hardaway or Early Thansis anyone to get 2-3 BIGS and 1 PG out of this draft that I can set my foundation on. I think there is an avenue to do this. I have to keep free agency and drafting separate. What happened yesterday takes FA down a LOT to me. I think that IF we can be aggressive and set a foundation from the frontcourt and PG positions--we then can piece meal free agency using the cap asset in many ways and also KEEPING it going 4 ward. UNTIL i have developed my own team--I want that cap space option open Y-Y until I can find the "right" player to spend it on. Flexibility is CRUCIAL to us--and while that may change when the TV deal is here--you play the hand in front of you for now.


When the Yankees were great they had a foundation of their own drafted players and Im an ENORMOUS believer in the core drafted player. Since thos e players have moved on even spending 250mm$ a year guarantees nothing. Its a proven fact that its the MOST important factor in sports. Almost every team that has won a championship in basketball has this formula.

I love what Atlanta has been able to do. I've been advocating hiring someone from the Spurs organization since like 2007.

Fact is we don't even have a single pick in the 2016 draft. It's gonna be a painful process.

I do think Phil's system is flawed and we will struggle trying to find guys to fit it. I worry this draft we will pass on an absolute stud because Phil thinks some other guy has a crisper bounce pass.

nixluva @ 2/21/2015 12:31 AM
crzymdups wrote:
BRIGGS wrote:
crzymdups wrote:
BRIGGS wrote:
crzymdups wrote:I think the two most likely FA are Tobias Harris and Greg Monroe. Not sure if they'd pursue both.

I think we desperately need a game-changing guard on offense, who can take his man off the dribble and get to the rim and move the ball. I hope they take a loooooong look at D'Angelo Russell, I feel like he could be that guy.

I really coveted Dragic. Losing him to the Heat sucks.

cryz--the 2nd we offer all of our cap money to anyone--that is our team for the next 4 years. We cant do that especially with melo being an unknown now.
We need to turn that 30mm into multiple assets. I'm not even naming free agents anymore unless they are smallish until we draft--I want to see what we get--than we can see what is what.

I said most likely... not necessarily what I would do.

I agree we need to find a way to get like 5-6 very good players, not 2-3. And I also think Melo may never be the same player again after this stupid knee injury. Can't believe they risked the next 4 years to get Melo in the all-star game.

I like what Atlanta has done--its the easiest way to get back. They have followed the Spurs model and they dont haev a Tim Duncan per se.

They really do not have a shot blocking C but they play good team D When you put two high caliber skill athletes on the post 6-9 245 and 6-8 250 who each can do 20-10 yet ALSO are good passers and play good team D add in a VERY quick PG who can score and penetrate surround them with 3 point shooters and 1 high energy 3 who plays both ways and a chemistry-laden bench--bang back.

Here is OUR problem. While I understand Phil wants to play a triangle--Jose Calderon is simply not a guy who I want at the head of the dragon so to speak. Defense starts at the PG and his ability to pressure the ball 94 feet if needed. Jose cant do that--and at some point he cannot be hidden ANYWHERE. Thats why I have talked about stretching his contract--to me hes a 2mm $ back up. He can be a 3 pt shooter off the bench

IF it were up to me--I would be HIGHLY aggressive using any asset I had money cap space our 2018 pic a potential trade down hardaway or Early Thansis anyone to get 2-3 BIGS and 1 PG out of this draft that I can set my foundation on. I think there is an avenue to do this. I have to keep free agency and drafting separate. What happened yesterday takes FA down a LOT to me. I think that IF we can be aggressive and set a foundation from the frontcourt and PG positions--we then can piece meal free agency using the cap asset in many ways and also KEEPING it going 4 ward. UNTIL i have developed my own team--I want that cap space option open Y-Y until I can find the "right" player to spend it on. Flexibility is CRUCIAL to us--and while that may change when the TV deal is here--you play the hand in front of you for now.


When the Yankees were great they had a foundation of their own drafted players and Im an ENORMOUS believer in the core drafted player. Since thos e players have moved on even spending 250mm$ a year guarantees nothing. Its a proven fact that its the MOST important factor in sports. Almost every team that has won a championship in basketball has this formula.

I love what Atlanta has been able to do. I've been advocating hiring someone from the Spurs organization since like 2007.

Fact is we don't even have a single pick in the 2016 draft. It's gonna be a painful process.

I do think Phil's system is flawed and we will struggle trying to find guys to fit it. I worry this draft we will pass on an absolute stud because Phil thinks some other guy has a crisper bounce pass.

It's silly to worry about 2016 draft right now. So much time between now and then. Let's get thru this draft and FA period before we look beyond.

There is no flaw in this offense. It's the talent. There are players who fit this style of play and Phil and his staff will find them. The same kind if players on the Spurs, Warriors and Hawks. High skill, well rounded, team players with BB IQ. Don't have to be superstars.

smackeddog @ 2/21/2015 3:50 AM
Knicks1969 wrote:I don't foresee the Knicks being able to bring in a high caliber player to pair with Carmelo. Dragic will stay in Miami (no state tax, great weather, and beautiful women); Monroe will stay in Detroit; LA will stay with Portland; etc. I pray that Carmelo recovers nicely, and become even more productive then before.

Knowing our luck, we might end up with ALlen Houston situation all over again.

Dragic doesn't fit into what we're trying to do. Fish said the key for us going forward was only targeting players who put the team first above their own accolades. While Reggie jackson seemed to get blasted by the media for being selfish, a locker room poison etc, Dragic got a free ride. How is what he demanded any different to what Reggie Jackson did? What is the difference? Both wanted to be ball dominant, 'the man', more so than they cared about the wins and success of their teams. I just find the contrast in treatments odd.

Phil has said since the offseason, we might not necessarily just target big names, but may go for 2 or 3 lower their players instead. There still a few of those available:

PG:
Corey Joseph
Beverley (restricted)

SG:

Wes Mathews
Danny Green
Khris Middleton (restricted)
Gerald Henderson
Afflalo

SF:
Tobias Harris (restricted)
DeMarre Carroll

PF:
Monroe
Milsap
Plus there's the outside chance of Kevin Love (who I don't want at all)

C:
Robin Lopez
Asik
Koufus

It's tough, but not impossible. The free agents available make Towns and Russell slightly more attractive draft options than OK4, simply because there are two pretty good, obtainable PF's, while there aren't many options at C and PG.

yellowboy90 @ 2/21/2015 4:34 AM
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:Ha, I just typed a new thread about this, so I'll paste it here and mods can lock the other one.

Phil's done what he needed to do- he's cleared Felton and JR's salary off the books and given us about $30mil spending money. We've got some cheap players on low contracts to make up the bench (Early, Tim Jr, Gallo, Thomas, Larkin, Acy, Cole, Amundson). Calderon I don't mind especially with FA PG options diminishing. we've got a top first round pick hopefully coming our way too.

The trades at the deadline have made Dragic and Reggie Jackson very unlikely. Also you can cross Patrick Beverley off the list too because Houston failed to upgrade their PG spot, so they're more likely to keep him. Suns have lost IT and Dragic so they'll definitely match any offers to Knight. Also now the Bucks no longer have to pay Knight, they are more likely to match offers for Khris Middleton.

On the positive side, maybe Monroe is more available (will the Pistons go Max on both Monroe and Reggie Jackson, especially with Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings still on the books?). Also, Blazers just traded a first for Afflalo, which hopefully means Wes Mathews may be more available (it's doubtful, but not impossible they pay both of them).

I still think Kevin Love is a possibility- I don't like him, but if the Cavs go out early in the playoffs, and they continue to struggle to integrate him, maybe he can be sold on the big market and an offense that is actually Taylor made for him.

So overall, we have little chance of upgrading the Pg spot, however SG is very possible (Wes, Afflalo, Green), as is PF (Monroe, Milsap and Kevin Love). C is looking a bit thin (Robin Lopez and Asik). I'd say that makes Towns and Russell more attractive as draft options.

But we won't have $30M to spend. After the draft, we'll have something like $4M less to spend depending on exactly where we draft. And if we're going to keep Larkin, Acy, Cole, Thomas, and Amundson that's another $5M-ish. And that doesn't include Wear or Shved. In your scenario, we have something like $20M to spend on free agents and if we want to keep Wear that's another $1M and Shved would be another $4M.

We have more than $20mil- this will help with your calculations:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.h...

Likely we let Acy go, and probably Larkin (or we would have picked up his option this year), maybe even Cole.

My calculations are correct. After the draft, if we renounce everyone we'll have somewhere around $27M in cap space. If we keep the guys you're talking about keeping we'll have closer to $20M.

i think the knicks have a chance to renounce those players and sign them at the vets minimum. I could be wrong but I thought teams can go over the cap for minimum players. Its not like those players are going to get anything much better.

VCoug @ 2/21/2015 7:45 AM
yellowboy90 wrote:
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:
VCoug wrote:
smackeddog wrote:Ha, I just typed a new thread about this, so I'll paste it here and mods can lock the other one.

Phil's done what he needed to do- he's cleared Felton and JR's salary off the books and given us about $30mil spending money. We've got some cheap players on low contracts to make up the bench (Early, Tim Jr, Gallo, Thomas, Larkin, Acy, Cole, Amundson). Calderon I don't mind especially with FA PG options diminishing. we've got a top first round pick hopefully coming our way too.

The trades at the deadline have made Dragic and Reggie Jackson very unlikely. Also you can cross Patrick Beverley off the list too because Houston failed to upgrade their PG spot, so they're more likely to keep him. Suns have lost IT and Dragic so they'll definitely match any offers to Knight. Also now the Bucks no longer have to pay Knight, they are more likely to match offers for Khris Middleton.

On the positive side, maybe Monroe is more available (will the Pistons go Max on both Monroe and Reggie Jackson, especially with Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings still on the books?). Also, Blazers just traded a first for Afflalo, which hopefully means Wes Mathews may be more available (it's doubtful, but not impossible they pay both of them).

I still think Kevin Love is a possibility- I don't like him, but if the Cavs go out early in the playoffs, and they continue to struggle to integrate him, maybe he can be sold on the big market and an offense that is actually Taylor made for him.

So overall, we have little chance of upgrading the Pg spot, however SG is very possible (Wes, Afflalo, Green), as is PF (Monroe, Milsap and Kevin Love). C is looking a bit thin (Robin Lopez and Asik). I'd say that makes Towns and Russell more attractive as draft options.

But we won't have $30M to spend. After the draft, we'll have something like $4M less to spend depending on exactly where we draft. And if we're going to keep Larkin, Acy, Cole, Thomas, and Amundson that's another $5M-ish. And that doesn't include Wear or Shved. In your scenario, we have something like $20M to spend on free agents and if we want to keep Wear that's another $1M and Shved would be another $4M.

We have more than $20mil- this will help with your calculations:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.h...

Likely we let Acy go, and probably Larkin (or we would have picked up his option this year), maybe even Cole.

My calculations are correct. After the draft, if we renounce everyone we'll have somewhere around $27M in cap space. If we keep the guys you're talking about keeping we'll have closer to $20M.

i think the knicks have a chance to renounce those players and sign them at the vets minimum. I could be wrong but I thought teams can go over the cap for minimum players. Its not like those players are going to get anything much better.

We can but if we're getting young players on minimum contracts than those players are more likely than not worthless.

anrst @ 2/21/2015 9:29 AM
I love Matthews as a 2 way player which is troublesome Bc im always wrong
smackeddog @ 2/21/2015 12:36 PM
anrst wrote:I love Matthews as a 2 way player which is troublesome Bc im always wrong

Hopefully you're wrong about being wrong!

smackeddog @ 2/21/2015 12:55 PM
Actually looking at Portlands salary for next season, there's not a hope in hell of them letting Wes Mathews and Robin Lopez walk- they're going to be well under the cap. The only salary the Blazers have is:

Batum at $12mil
Lillard at $4mil
3 low key players totalling $6mil

Aldridge will be up for a $20mil plus a year contract, which puts them on only $42mil. Maxing Wes is what, $15mil, and Robin Lopez will get at most $10mil, that would still only put them on $67mil, plus minimum contracts and cap holds, it still puts them below the luxury tax (probably about $79mil). They could then also sign Afflalo for $7mil a year.

Page 2 of 3