Knicks · 2021 NBA Free Agency (and around the league): Preview and Primer (page 34)

martin @ 8/19/2021 1:12 PM

Nalod @ 8/19/2021 1:13 PM
They moving Haywood to SF suppose....

Bridges PF
Plumlee C
Ball 1
Rozier 2
Haywood 3

Can't speak for the bench. Rozier even if off the bench will get plenty of minutes.
Miles Bridges is poised for a break out. He will get lots of opportunities. Is Ball the real deal year two?
He did real well his rook year. Took many by surprise. Is he strong enough to deal with Michael in his head and the league now gunning for him?

martin @ 8/19/2021 1:37 PM
Nalod wrote:They moving Haywood to SF suppose....

Bridges PF
Plumlee C
Ball 1
Rozier 2
Haywood 3

Can't speak for the bench. Rozier even if off the bench will get plenty of minutes.
Miles Bridges is poised for a break out. He will get lots of opportunities. Is Ball the real deal year two?
He did real well his rook year. Took many by surprise. Is he strong enough to deal with Michael in his head and the league now gunning for him?

CHO has an interesting team. Off bench...

Ish Smith
Oubre
PJ Washington
Young/Rookies Bouknight, Kia Jones, Jalen McDaniels, Cody Martin

Chandler @ 8/19/2021 1:51 PM
Hornets seem small IMO.

will be interesting to watch but i am not a fan of the way they put things together.

smackeddog @ 8/19/2021 2:04 PM
Got to love the hypocrisy of sports writers when it comes to Knicks coverage- compare these two sections in the same article:

Buying or Selling Biggest Gambles from 2021 NBA Offseason


New York Heavily Invests in Non-Contender

Critics need only three words to sum up the 2021 offseason in New York: Knicks gonna Knick.

There may be some truth in that, even if the Knicks front office has spent the past year-plus scrubbing much of the lingering stench from the franchise. New York spent a ton of money this summer, and it's possible that not a single expenditure will be remembered as a bargain.

The Knicks gave Evan Fournier a four-year, $78 million deal, Derrick Rose got $43 million for three seasons, Alec Burks netted $30 million over three years and Nerlens Noel scored a three-year, $27.7 pact. None of those are great values, even though each is relatively protected by a team option on the final year.

Julius Randle's four-year, $117.1 million extension is fine if he's booking annual trips to the All-Star Game, but last year was his first appearance in seven seasons. Maybe Kemba Walker's two-year, $17.9 million deal proves to be a steal, but only if the 31-year-old conquers a year-plus fight with his balky left knee.

What does all of this add up to? Not a championship contender, and maybe not even a club capable of advancing past the second round. And yet, this might be just what the 'Bockers needed.

No superstars shook loose and set their eyes on the Empire State this offseason, but this series of moves will help keep the franchise relevant for the next time a disgruntled star seeks out greener pastures. Poke fun at the Knicks for buying into a team that lost in the first round, but that playoff trip mattered. LeBron James took notice, and other stars likely did as well.

If this organization stays in the news for reasons that can't be described by #LOLKnicks, that's a good thing for the present and maybe a great sign for the future.

Verdict: Buy

....

Chicago's All-In Playoff Push

Did the Bulls just spend big to hop aboard the treadmill of mediocrity? Maybe. This is a league perennially ruled by superstars, and Chicago still doesn't necessarily have one.

You know what it does have, though? A vastly improved roster that should have enough firepower to fight for a playoff spot in the formidable Eastern Conference. That might not be enough of a prize for the championship-or-bust crowd, but it's exactly what the Bulls had in mind when they entered the offseason.

"We're going to add talent to our roster and from there get better and come back improved and better so we don't have to sit out another postseason," Bulls vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas told reporters in May. "... We're going into the next season to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Karnisovas backed up those words with action. After netting Nikola Vucevic at last season's trade deadline, the Bulls aggressively attacked free agency and came away with Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. Tack on All-Star Zach LaVine and 2020 No. 4 pick Patrick Williams, and Chicago might be onto something here.

No, this isn't a contender, but that wasn't the immediate aim. The Bulls needed a recharge after taking some serious lumps since their ill-fated 2017 trade of Jimmy Butler, and this summer provided several steps in the right direction.

An offense powered by LaVine, Vucevic and DeRozan should be explosive and efficient at every level. The defense will bleed a bit, but Ball and Caruso can help with that, and Williams could prove to be a massive asset on that end of the floor.

The East is good, but so are the Bulls. Any criticisms of their summer spending could easily be drowned out by playoff parties in April.

Verdict: Buy

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2947...

smackeddog @ 8/19/2021 2:11 PM
martin wrote:Wild right?

I feel like we have hit a new era of contracts where extending players you maybe like is a must

LivingLegend wrote:Fournier at 3 for $53M (with 4th year as option) sure sounds a touch better vs. Rozier at 4 form$97M.

Rozier at almost $25M per year - damn.

Certainly seems like that's the trend, especially this offseason, fortunately seems the Knicks front office seems to have read and pre-empted it with their strategy. I mean, next offseason looks barren!:

Think the only top end players we have a shot at over the next couple of seasons will be LaVine if the Bulls suck this year (and you never know, maybe if the Warriors luck out on Beal and Lillard they might make a trade bid for him) and maybe Towns if he tries to force his way out after next season. I think Beal probably ends up in Boston or stays with the Wiz or goes to the Warriors. I don't see us landing Lillard.

BigDaddyG @ 8/19/2021 2:34 PM
smackeddog wrote:
martin wrote:Wild right?

I feel like we have hit a new era of contracts where extending players you maybe like is a must

LivingLegend wrote:Fournier at 3 for $53M (with 4th year as option) sure sounds a touch better vs. Rozier at 4 form$97M.

Rozier at almost $25M per year - damn.

Certainly seems like that's the trend, especially this offseason, fortunately seems the Knicks front office seems to have read and pre-empted it with their strategy. I mean, next offseason looks barren!:

Think the only top end players we have a shot at over the next couple of seasons will be LaVine if the Bulls suck this year (and you never know, maybe if the Warriors luck out on Beal and Lillard they might make a trade bid for him) and maybe Towns if he tries to force his way out after next season. I think Beal probably ends up in Boston or stays with the Wiz or goes to the Warriors. I don't see us landing Lillard.


Add the new draft rules and the play in, and mediocrity makes more sense. Why not take the chance to pick up extra mil in playoff revenue?
BigDaddyG @ 8/19/2021 3:50 PM
martin wrote:Wild right?

I feel like we have hit a new era of contracts where extending players you maybe like is a must

LivingLegend wrote:Fournier at 3 for $53M (with 4th year as option) sure sounds a touch better vs. Rozier at 4 form$97M.

Rozier at almost $25M per year - damn.


Does this deal cement a max deal for Sexton, if a Sexton max was ever a question to begin with?

https://stathead.com/tiny/u66Wf

Nalod @ 8/20/2021 11:18 AM
smackeddog wrote:Got to love the hypocrisy of sports writers when it comes to Knicks coverage- compare these two sections in the same article:

Buying or Selling Biggest Gambles from 2021 NBA Offseason


New York Heavily Invests in Non-Contender

Critics need only three words to sum up the 2021 offseason in New York: Knicks gonna Knick.

There may be some truth in that, even if the Knicks front office has spent the past year-plus scrubbing much of the lingering stench from the franchise. New York spent a ton of money this summer, and it's possible that not a single expenditure will be remembered as a bargain.

The Knicks gave Evan Fournier a four-year, $78 million deal, Derrick Rose got $43 million for three seasons, Alec Burks netted $30 million over three years and Nerlens Noel scored a three-year, $27.7 pact. None of those are great values, even though each is relatively protected by a team option on the final year.

Julius Randle's four-year, $117.1 million extension is fine if he's booking annual trips to the All-Star Game, but last year was his first appearance in seven seasons. Maybe Kemba Walker's two-year, $17.9 million deal proves to be a steal, but only if the 31-year-old conquers a year-plus fight with his balky left knee.

What does all of this add up to? Not a championship contender, and maybe not even a club capable of advancing past the second round. And yet, this might be just what the 'Bockers needed.

No superstars shook loose and set their eyes on the Empire State this offseason, but this series of moves will help keep the franchise relevant for the next time a disgruntled star seeks out greener pastures. Poke fun at the Knicks for buying into a team that lost in the first round, but that playoff trip mattered. LeBron James took notice, and other stars likely did as well.

If this organization stays in the news for reasons that can't be described by #LOLKnicks, that's a good thing for the present and maybe a great sign for the future.

Verdict: Buy

....

Chicago's All-In Playoff Push

Did the Bulls just spend big to hop aboard the treadmill of mediocrity? Maybe. This is a league perennially ruled by superstars, and Chicago still doesn't necessarily have one.

You know what it does have, though? A vastly improved roster that should have enough firepower to fight for a playoff spot in the formidable Eastern Conference. That might not be enough of a prize for the championship-or-bust crowd, but it's exactly what the Bulls had in mind when they entered the offseason.

"We're going to add talent to our roster and from there get better and come back improved and better so we don't have to sit out another postseason," Bulls vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas told reporters in May. "... We're going into the next season to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Karnisovas backed up those words with action. After netting Nikola Vucevic at last season's trade deadline, the Bulls aggressively attacked free agency and came away with Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. Tack on All-Star Zach LaVine and 2020 No. 4 pick Patrick Williams, and Chicago might be onto something here.

No, this isn't a contender, but that wasn't the immediate aim. The Bulls needed a recharge after taking some serious lumps since their ill-fated 2017 trade of Jimmy Butler, and this summer provided several steps in the right direction.

An offense powered by LaVine, Vucevic and DeRozan should be explosive and efficient at every level. The defense will bleed a bit, but Ball and Caruso can help with that, and Williams could prove to be a massive asset on that end of the floor.

The East is good, but so are the Bulls. Any criticisms of their summer spending could easily be drowned out by playoff parties in April.

Verdict: Buy

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2947...

What do you have issue with? I read both takes have a “buy” rating. chicago added a lot of pieces at the trade deadline ad via free agency with Ball and Derozen.
They moved on quickly from Coby White?
Personally I see no issue with the writers knick take. Naturally they have to have an “Edge” to keep things snarky and interesting but between the lines there is a truth. Randle is a great value as long as he stays at all star level. Know what, IF KNICKS IMPROVE AND HIS NUMBERS FALL IM GOOD WITH THAT AND PERHAPS THAT IS THE PLAN? THAT RANDLE BE IMPORTANT BUT NOT THE FOCAL POINT HE WAS LAST YEAR?
Sorry to cap that.

jrodmc @ 8/20/2021 2:28 PM
Randle's numbers have to fall, although I see his assist numbers going up. Yes, that's incredibly prescient, I know.
No way he does a duplicate season sharing the ball with Fournier and Kemba, there aren't going to be enough touches for him for that.

Wonder how long it will take the media and the fan base to bail on him and call for a refund on his contract if he starts throwing up 18 and 7 instead of 25 and 10...

Nalod @ 8/20/2021 4:09 PM
jrodmc wrote:Randle's numbers have to fall, although I see his assist numbers going up. Yes, that's incredibly prescient, I know.
No way he does a duplicate season sharing the ball with Fournier and Kemba, there aren't going to be enough touches for him for that.

Wonder how long it will take the media and the fan base to bail on him and call for a refund on his contract if he starts throwing up 18 and 7 instead of 25 and 10...

The bar likely set with wins and losses. Sometimes players will make proclamations about sacrificing there game so the team can win. Its all good as long as the are winning.
I'd like to see Randle get some easier buckets from increased talent in playmaking and some minute reductions given to Obi if he has indeed improved.

Philc1 @ 8/20/2021 9:18 PM
jrodmc wrote:Randle's numbers have to fall, although I see his assist numbers going up. Yes, that's incredibly prescient, I know.
No way he does a duplicate season sharing the ball with Fournier and Kemba, there aren't going to be enough touches for him for that.

Wonder how long it will take the media and the fan base to bail on him and call for a refund on his contract if he starts throwing up 18 and 7 instead of 25 and 10...

If Randle is still averaging 24 and 10 next year that’s not a good sign. It means the roster around him hasn’t improved

ESOMKnicks @ 8/21/2021 11:23 AM
Philc1 wrote:
jrodmc wrote:Randle's numbers have to fall, although I see his assist numbers going up. Yes, that's incredibly prescient, I know.
No way he does a duplicate season sharing the ball with Fournier and Kemba, there aren't going to be enough touches for him for that.

Wonder how long it will take the media and the fan base to bail on him and call for a refund on his contract if he starts throwing up 18 and 7 instead of 25 and 10...

If Randle is still averaging 24 and 10 next year that’s not a good sign. It means the roster around him hasn’t improved

Not if the team as a whole averages 6-9 points per game more. Or if the team has a better record while he and RJ play fewer minutes a game, and have more energy to turn it up in the playoffs and get past one-two rounds.

Nalod @ 8/21/2021 3:45 PM
“Winning”, then only metric that matters!
ESOMKnicks @ 8/22/2021 7:58 AM
Nalod wrote:“Winning”, then only metric that matters!

The time for tanking was last year. This year it would be both unbecoming and unproductive.

HofstraBBall @ 8/22/2021 3:10 PM
Philc1 @ 8/22/2021 6:35 PM
ESOMKnicks wrote:
Philc1 wrote:
jrodmc wrote:Randle's numbers have to fall, although I see his assist numbers going up. Yes, that's incredibly prescient, I know.
No way he does a duplicate season sharing the ball with Fournier and Kemba, there aren't going to be enough touches for him for that.

Wonder how long it will take the media and the fan base to bail on him and call for a refund on his contract if he starts throwing up 18 and 7 instead of 25 and 10...

If Randle is still averaging 24 and 10 next year that’s not a good sign. It means the roster around him hasn’t improved

Not if the team as a whole averages 6-9 points per game more. Or if the team has a better record while he and RJ play fewer minutes a game, and have more energy to turn it up in the playoffs and get past one-two rounds.

If Randle is still getting those numbers that means he’s still leading the league in minutes and taking a ton of shots per game. That means our PG play still stinks because Randle got most of his points last year playing Iso in the half-court

I don’t think that will happen. Between Kemba, IQ, Burks and McBride I think the pg play will be better plus thank God Elf is finally gone

Clean @ 8/26/2021 7:30 PM
VDesai @ 8/27/2021 1:27 PM
Markannen off to Cleveland in a 3 way sign and trade:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/3209...

Nalod @ 8/27/2021 2:42 PM
Smart move for Cavs. Nance is athletic, like Allen so the pairing is not optimum. Skilled stretch 4 is a better fit.
Cavs are rounding out pretty nice. Mobley is the future and Markkkenenenenenenen on a Gallonari type deal. Gives Mobley room to develop. I like it for them.
Bulls for sure are improved with excess talent can afford to move him. Parity smooths out the talent.
BigDaddyG @ 8/27/2021 3:00 PM
Nalod wrote:Smart move for Cavs. Nance is athletic, like Allen so the pairing is not optimum. Skilled stretch 4 is a better fit.
Cavs are rounding out pretty nice. Mobley is the future and Markkkenenenenenenen on a Gallonari type deal. Gives Mobley room to develop. I like it for them.
Bulls for sure are improved with excess talent can afford to move him. Parity smooths out the talent.

I'd have to give this trade an incomplete for the Cavs. I get that Mobley needs time to grow physically. But I'm pretty sure Lauri isn't a starting line PF defensively and that frontcourt seems a bit clunky. I guess Okoro gives them some flexibility in the frontcourt, but then you consider what a cluster the backcourt is and you have to worry. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Glad Lauri got his bag.

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