Having an OWNER SUPPORT Phil Jackson and has the willingness/ability to take care of players with his power/connections/network along with owning an ENTIRE TV NETWORK IN MSG *with a couple of channels, like MSG 2, MSG + and another 1-2 channels*
With Phil Jackson rebuilding our roster from the bottom up with management/coaching staff and trainers/development staff/ as well as our ROSTER/ROTATIONS/vision for our basketball philosophy/system
Having an OWNER like DOLAN can actually be very positive, with him giving his word on taking care of talents while here as a Knick and for LIFE AFTER BASETBALL
While Marc Cuban, despite being RICH, isn't the spender like he once was that Dolan has previously done with a LOSING ROSTER with Isiah THomas,and has no problem doing, that other owners are NOT wiling to do
With talents taking less, we need to build a winning culture from players to management to development coaches/trainers etc....
Like Spur's, for Danny Green taking less and both Duncan/Manu taking anywhere from vet min to the MLE that could be divided
As Patty Mills took less last summer
It would set a SACRIFICE for the BETTER of the TEAM along with a winning Culture, better roster in order to contend next season and the next decade + especially when KP/Grant could contribute on a high level
While KP could contribute on many different roles with his rare combination of skills/HIGH IQ/versatility, he could contribute much after 1-3 seasons, similar to how Anthony Davis developed for The Pelicans to go with their work ethic being contagious
We want to BUILD A FAMILY and with guarantees from Phil Jackson and Dolan, even CA, their *words and promise* would increase our chances in getting TOP TEIR TALENTS and keeping them, along with 2nd/3rd tier talents/ and even VET MINS, all taking less to WIN IN MSG that could improve their abilities to market in the entire US and internationally, especially if we become LEGIT CONTENDERS when Lebron James declines
As many players will continue to take less, like they did to join Lebron where ever he went
For the HIGHEST SALARY outside of Lebron James being 17.5 for DeAndre Jordan/LA/Marc Gasol
With DeAndre Jordan being the youngest and like KP, has great work ehtic that could affect the rest of the team and take KP under his wing to improve his strength/athleiticsm/mobility as Jordan was once a "ROOK"
Jordan is 26 and is just slightly older than Greg Monroe, both of which I think or closer to Center's, even Greg Monroe but with Jordan could play PF as Jordan's is an elite REBOUNDER/DEFENDER
14m for the younger FA's on 3year deals with 4th being a player option (as we would own FULL BIRD RIGHTS)
14m for the YOUNGER MAX, possibly for less for some other talents with Draymond Green somewhere above Tobias Harris to MAX, a reason why Greg Monroe could take a BIT LESS, as we should get Dolan to be part of this recruiting process along with CA/Phil Jackson/Fisher, KP/Grant, especially with the rise of the cap the next couple of years, with Dolan's word to take care of them on and off the court, along with a FUTURE JOB for life after basketball, business opportunites, Network/building brand that Dolan has along with owning a TV network in MSG that could be used for advertisements and other possible Sports like Reality TV
MSG has a couple of channels, with DeAndre Jordan/Greg Monroe, they are possible for 2-3more extensions, and for Dolan and his deep pockets and love for the NBA and hunger for a ring, he has no problem overpaying for talents that would be over 30 when they could decline in their final contract, as we would pay them BIGGER CONTRACTS *though not max* that would make up the "discount we want talents to take this year" and possibly the next 2 years, helping Phil Jackson rebuild our roster, our image with agents/teams, and execute The Triangle, a system that would greatly benefit BIGS, Versatile Talents, POST GAME that can also facilitate like Monroe, for ROLE PLAYERS that would be engaged on the court with constant ball/player movement and needing HIGH IQ/constant thinking, especially for with SHOOTERS to spread the floor
Like Greg Monroe for 14m *would allow us to possibly still sign/trade for D Jordan/Marc Gasol/ LA, *though we would need to at least stretch Calderon or force trades as well as other contracts like Early etc*
He is a UFA, while taking less now, would allow us to build a much better roster in order to contend, there are younger talents for future extensions that could make up for a slight discount this year, while persuing TOP TIER FA's next summer like Durant/Whiteside/Al Horford and 2nd/3rd tier talents like Gallo/Wilson Chandler/MosGoV/Battum/Roy Hibbert/David Lee/even Pau Gasol who can opt out for his experience in the Triangle along with Noah and 2years later *when Westbrook and Jimmy Butler *if he signs a Chandler Parson deal* and many other possible talents
a bit less for
Kanter, 13.5m with raises, possibly 3year deal with PLAYER OPTION for 3rd
Tobias Harris *probably about 12-13m with raises, along with Reggie Jackson
With Greg Monroe/Tobias Harris or for one of the younger FA's taking less, it would allow us to still have the ability to sign another TOP TIER talent, along with the FULL MLE *with Cole Aldrich's early bird rights with a low cap hold*
17.5m for the HIGHER MAX talents with Monroe or whoever taking less, we could trade Calderon/Early or stretch Calderon and trade Early and some of our younger players, especially if players force their way to NYK's like DeAndre Jordan as a UFA
ALL WITH RAISES
VALUE TALENTS/PLAYERS/CONTRACTS in addition to the D League
=============================================================================
- Wesley Johnson
TO HELP Thanasis reach his ceiling and pair with another DEFENDER/ATHLETIC and versatile talent with the ability to defend multiple positions
talents from 4-6m for talents such as Wesley Johnson who I think would be a great mentor for Thanasis because of their similar skill sets/weakness's that could play WITH HIM and help him develop his game as Johnson's rookie years and how he could give advice to Thanasis *we need to use salary cap or part of exemption to start a contract at about 1m instead of about 500k for a 3year deal with team option so we have his early bird rights and not worry about overpaying to keep him as he will need time/resources to develop* reach his ceiling
- Brandon Wright with Ajinicia as a measure at about 5m *think Ajinicia should fire his agent, that is pretty much the LEAST he would make, while being locked up for 4years with the rise of the cap and still the chance to break out like Whiteside did, as a stretch 4/5 and has the physical abilities of #1 overall pick KAT
- Jeremy Evans, for a LOW contract/vet min deal for 2years on Utah Jazz, he HAS GREAT LENGTH/ATHLETICISM/VERSATILITY, if he can improve his 3pt shot, he could be a STEAL, just like Aminu that could be signed for a 2year vet min deal or a LOW DEAL
#40 SF6' 9", 200 lbsUtah Jazz
BornOct 24, 1987 in Crossett, AR (Age: 27)
Drafted2010: 2nd Rnd, 55th by UTAH
CollegeWestern Kentucky
Experience 5 years in Utah and DeMaRRE CAROLL was developed by Utah that didn't get much PT till he signed a 2year deal with Atlanta and now a MAX 4year deal to go to Toronto, which could make Amir Johnson available *though would not sign him RIGHT now, he could be a cheaper option as a backup option*
I think James Johnson may be available now in a trade and would give up a vet min talent or if we had to our cap space, along with backups that they might want in sign and trades on SHORT TERM cheap contracts such as Larkin/Acey
- Andray Blatche at about 3-3.5m
RFA's
========
Making other teams OVERPAY for talent or at least get fair deals
We could use our salary cap to help Jimmy Butler become a UFA in 2 seasons, with a MAX deal with player option for 3rd year so he will be a UFA with Westbrook in 2 years to target
- Jae Crowder
- Mike Muscula *not sure if he is a RFA or not, but if he is, we should consider him with his versatility*
For PG's it isn't a NEED, especially with the chance of signing Shved on a cap friendly deal
ON TOP OF THAT, the Knick's summer league has multiple PG's that could be cheaper options
- Patrick Bevereley/Norris Cole RFA, *though the Duke PG has similar skill sets, Cole did play for a winning franchise for many years, so he has experience for a ROLE PLAYER that has improved his shooting, along with creating/facilitating/penetrating with his speed/quickness/strength, that could play ON and OFF the ball, BOTH OF WHICH ARE QUALITY DEFENDERS as well as Cory Joseph that we probably can steal if we want though they did put the QO on him, as LA will be their TOP PRIORITY along with other PF/C's to add after trading Splitter already
- Jeremy Lin *for about 3m*if we are unable to resign Shved though I would not mind having BOTH players as he is a player that could play in the pressure of New York and knows how to work the crowed to be on our side for positive energy in MSG, if we acquire SHOOTERS *especially from Europe, and the Twolves guy that could force his way to New York as leverage*, along with facilitating/creating for Greg Monroe/DeAndre Jordan/KP
- Bizmack Biyombo, UFA for a deal like 4-5m like Ajinica got, maybe even less
- Justin Hamilton *UFA, for a vet min 2year deal*
- John Jenkins UFA /Austin Daye RFA
- Next year, try to get Fuzaro if we can buy low now and try to target him next year
- D LEAGUE TALENTS/Undrafted FA's in this years draft and previous drafts, continued development talents from bad teams to winning teams that do not get many minutes/ International talents especially with our SCOUT's approval, SUMMER LEAGE/WESCHESTER ROSTER
- especially for the Euro guy that Twolves on the rights to but he has leverage over Twolves as he can OPT in to his deal in Europe and force his way to NYK's with limitted compensation as they are already STACKED WITH YOUNG TALENTS/ROSTER with many OLDER VETS that they could look to deal to save money
A- http://www.ultimateknicks.com/forum/topi...
B- http://knickerblogger.net/the-state-of-t...
C- http://www.ultimateknicks.com/forum/topi...
D- http://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/2t4...
- does anyone know for sure if Mike Muscula is a RFA or not? is there any talent worth considering for poison pills this year? which isn't really a poison pill with the rise of the cap next year, as we see many players signing these HUGE deals now????????
Aminu looks to be overpaid but he really isn't, his ability to DEFEND, REBOUND, with GREAT versatility and improved 3pt shooting, as a LOCK DOWN DEFENDER or/and HELP DEFENDER
Lets not forget they have the development staff/development coaches/trainers that have developed many versatile talents of LA (along with ZBO/RASHEED WALLCE/JERMAINE ONEIL) ALONG WITH Battum *who he would be replacing on a cheaper long term deal*, Wesley Matthews, Meyers Leanard/Joel Freeland, improvements of Lopez/Kaman on their roles, as well as Will Barton *who improved much after the trade with Denver/CJ MCCALLUM
Comparing him to a YOUNG Shawn Marion or/and the defense of Kawaii Leanard, he contributed many times last year, with the injuries the Knick's went through
EVEN A YOUNG TREVOR ARIZA and Aminu actually has the highest potential of these players in their primes due to his SIZE/ATHLETICSM/LENGTH/STRENGTH ability to defend multiple talents
He is a STEAL that Portland was really smart to acquire right away
Aminu has the ability to grab 20 + rebounds and defend/play SG to PF *when BIG SF's play PF like Durant/Lebron/Paul George*, score 10pts, and get 10 steals/blocks/assist combined
Whenever he got PLAYING TIME last year on a poor defensive team in Dallas, he was able to contribute very much and he is an example of how players with HIGH POTENTIAL but was drafted too early with weakness's but has great work ethic could be perfect continued development of young talent *that we should sign to 2-3year deals *with 2years giving us early bird rights and 3 years being full bird rights*
That is why 3pt shooting, is a skill that can be learned, out of all the weakness's in players, and if Thanasis continues to improve his 3pt shot, he could be similar and why we MUST lock him up to a 3year deal instead of the 2year deal that would pay him 500k, under 1m, while he took much less to develop in the D LEAGUE last year, so he would he sacrificed for the better of the team already
We should not make him unhappy with us as other players in the league would see this and hurt our image that Phil Jackson is trying to rebuild, a reason why he trade players to good/great situations...
Lance Thomas could be player that would fall in this category
While if we sign him to a vet min deal, we would own his early bird rights next year though I would much rather prefer acquiring James Johnson in a trade *if he is cheap along with other YOUNG talents like Jerami Grant and Jakarr Sampson, Sampson is very comparable to Aminu and Philly has locked many contracts of young talents up to 3year deal with team options
Especially if we can acquire talents that can actually DEFEND on a high level with 2way talents and a well balanced roster that could score and defend to be part of our rotation
Such as Jordan, Wesley Matthews, and younger talents to learn off them that has the potential to do well like Thanasis
PG- Grant/Galloway/Corey Joseph and a SMALLER PG *we have some on our Summer League roster from Europe and previous drafts*, along with a Norris Cole/Quin Cook
SG/SF
Wesley Matthews/Crowder and Thanasis
Wesley Johnson/Jae Crowder/Thanasis and these guys could play small ball and slide down to PF which Aminu would allow and some D League talents to learn of the NBA vets
PF- KP *in 1-2 seasons but play some minutes at SF/PF right now* traditonal's being Brandon Wright/Lavoy Allen/David West/Mike Muscula/DMO etc....
James Johnson/Draymond Green/Millsap/Jakarr Sampson and Grant/Aminu/ while Wilson Chandler/Robert Covington etc...
DeAndre Jordan *with Thabeet/Biyombo behind him with KP* along with Mike Muscula/DMO/David Lee/Greg Monroe *he play his best at Center IMO and if EVERY OTHER POSITION is versatile and able to defend/block shots, we do not NEED Monroe/LA to be a great shot blocker like with Draymond Green at Center in the Finals
