Knicks · Knicks Offseason Preview (page 1)

Brunson / McBride
DDV
Hart
Randle
Robinson

This is basically their guaranteed contracts. Then they have a ton of picks, trade exceptions, bird rights. If we want to preach about the FO’s ability to wheel and deal, this offseason could be a textbook study. Thing is, we don’t really need anything.

1) Resign OG. He has a $19mm player option. Would love to see a Hart type transaction where he opts in and gets extended using Bird Rights.

2) Resign Hartenstein using early Bird Rights

3) Re-sign Precious using Bird Rights. I see the upside.

4) Consider Rokas Jokubaitus with the Biannual Exception (4.1mm). This triggers hard cap. So maybe do that last (or do it this year before the calendar year resets?)

5) Draft Pick 24. I have room here for a project. Thinking Tidjane Salem.

6) Draft Pick 25. Love me some Yves Missi

7) Draft Pick 38. Ryan Dunn? Probably need a stash pick or a two way contract here due to roster limitations.

8) TPEs we have three leftover from this year.

9) MLE - I mean, add Bruce Brown to the goons?

10) Bogs Option has a dead money hit. I’d exercise that option and then explore trades for a better fit. Like Jonathan Isaac.

11) Burks Bird rights? I mean, gotta keep a guy like this around, no?

We haven’t gotten into the use of the future picks. This team is set to cap out on hard cap and roster spots if they don’t make moves or stash players. From there you can really have conversations about adding positional size and talent through trades.

Without any pre-tenses, I think we all love what this team is right now and they have built it without abusing any of their future resources and without much cap burden. They can just keep adding institutional value while being extremely competitive. If it were me, I would use this year to take this team up to the hard cap and then just make smart decisions.

Brunson / RokJok (Bi) / Brown (MLE)
Deuce / DDV / Burks
OG / Hart / Salum / Dunn
Randle / Bogs / Achiuwa
Hart / Robinson / Missi / Sims

My overall point is that not only is this team set to “run it back”, they can easily add to the core 10 man rotation without mortgaging the future. If anything, they need to consolidate assets to make use of the exceptions available to them.

Been a long time coming, but “we here”

EwingsGlass wrote:4) Consider Rokas Jokubaitus with the Biannual Exception (4.1mm). This triggers hard cap. So maybe do that last (or do it this year before the calendar year resets?)

I do wonder what type of contract Rokas will get. $4M seems high? I have no idea.

Can you only sign Rokas with exceptions and cap space (if you have it)?

martin wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:4) Consider Rokas Jokubaitus with the Biannual Exception (4.1mm). This triggers hard cap. So maybe do that last (or do it this year before the calendar year resets?)

I do wonder what type of contract Rokas will get. $4M seems high? I have no idea.

Can you only sign Rokas with exceptions and cap space (if you have it)?

Shouldn't he be available on a standard rookie contract?

gradyandrew wrote:

martin wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:4) Consider Rokas Jokubaitus with the Biannual Exception (4.1mm). This triggers hard cap. So maybe do that last (or do it this year before the calendar year resets?)

I do wonder what type of contract Rokas will get. $4M seems high? I have no idea.

Can you only sign Rokas with exceptions and cap space (if you have it)?

Shouldn't he be available on a standard rookie contract?

I think he gets higher than a standard rookie contract. In theory, he played out his “rookie” years in Barça. Knicks will be both competing with his EuroFree Agency as well as his roster demands - arguably a shot at consistent minutes. I think he will need more than a non- rookie scale min contract to come to NY. That means they need to fit him within an exception. If they use under $5mm of the MLE, they can avoid hard cap rules. For me, I think they should be maximizing value contract accumulation. Everything I have seen of Rok, he is an NBA caliber. Won’t know his max upside until he shows up.

DLeethal wrote:Resign our guys including Precious if you can.
Find a backup ball handler (Rokas, draft or FA)
Sign a goon like Brown or Oubre
Find an OG-lite for when he gets hurt (Oubre can be that guy or draft)
Draft some young Thibs guys to groom slow like Deuce and provide emergency depth

Oubre is interesting. I wanted to sign him for several offseasons. I don’t get the Knicks lack of pursuit on him. He seems to put effort in. Just to have one less 7 foot wingspan in Philly, it would be worth it.

gradyandrew wrote:The biggest question for me is if another team will come out with an over the top offer for Harte Stein. Knicks can offer slightly larger annual raises so a 4 year 70 million deal is about the maximum. I think he stays for equal money but if someone goes for 80 million he will likely walk.

Early bird caps him at 16mm which is more than the MLE. So, the teams that can outbid the Knicks are pure cap space teams (Utah, Orlando and SAS being the few teams that might have both cap space and arguably positional need).

I think he re-signs on a reasonable contract and the starting nod. His mentality is a large part of what this Knicks team is. He has tremendous upside as he further develops his skill game.

EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Resign our guys including Precious if you can.
Find a backup ball handler (Rokas, draft or FA)
Sign a goon like Brown or Oubre
Find an OG-lite for when he gets hurt (Oubre can be that guy or draft)
Draft some young Thibs guys to groom slow like Deuce and provide emergency depth

Oubre is interesting. I wanted to sign him for several offseasons. I don’t get the Knicks lack of pursuit on him. He seems to put effort in. Just to have one less 7 foot wingspan in Philly, it would be worth it.

Oubre is a perfect fit on this team if there are enough minutes for him. I was impressed with him in the first round. His defense was smothering, and offense was active and sufficient.
He and OG would be a stiffling defensive pair of forwards.

EwingsGlass wrote:

gradyandrew wrote:The biggest question for me is if another team will come out with an over the top offer for Harte Stein. Knicks can offer slightly larger annual raises so a 4 year 70 million deal is about the maximum. I think he stays for equal money but if someone goes for 80 million he will likely walk.

Early bird caps him at 16mm which is more than the MLE. So, the teams that can outbid the Knicks are pure cap space teams (Utah, Orlando and SAS being the few teams that might have both cap space and arguably positional need).

I think he re-signs on a reasonable contract and the starting nod. His mentality is a large part of what this Knicks team is. He has tremendous upside as he further develops his skill game.

I think the Knicks and iHart have a good sweet spot of sorts that'll keep Isaiah in NY. Starting slot. Offense will in part be a tailored to what he brings. Targeted deep playoff team. All the feels.

Another team would have to beat a combo of all that and the promise of his next contract (which could come quick with a mutual'ish opt out).

EwingsGlass wrote:

gradyandrew wrote:The biggest question for me is if another team will come out with an over the top offer for Harte Stein. Knicks can offer slightly larger annual raises so a 4 year 70 million deal is about the maximum. I think he stays for equal money but if someone goes for 80 million he will likely walk.

Early bird caps him at 16mm which is more than the MLE. So, the teams that can outbid the Knicks are pure cap space teams (Utah, Orlando and SAS being the few teams that might have both cap space and arguably positional need).

I think he re-signs on a reasonable contract and the starting nod. His mentality is a large part of what this Knicks team is. He has tremendous upside as he further develops his skill game.

Can we give him a 4 year deal as noted, but with a player option after two years? He can opt out and we pay him more then? Its a risk.
Reality is while he is killing it this year he does not have a full multi year resume and might be viewed as benefiting greatly from the Thibian way, or as someone here mentioned the "Mandalorian" I can alter it to "The Way of the Thibian", his value might not be as high as we fear. Im not saying not to pay him, just thinking he might his salary might not be that problematic.

Panos wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Resign our guys including Precious if you can.
Find a backup ball handler (Rokas, draft or FA)
Sign a goon like Brown or Oubre
Find an OG-lite for when he gets hurt (Oubre can be that guy or draft)
Draft some young Thibs guys to groom slow like Deuce and provide emergency depth

Oubre is interesting. I wanted to sign him for several offseasons. I don’t get the Knicks lack of pursuit on him. He seems to put effort in. Just to have one less 7 foot wingspan in Philly, it would be worth it.

Oubre is a perfect fit on this team if there are enough minutes for him. I was impressed with him in the first round. His defense was smothering, and offense was active and sufficient.
He and OG would be a stiffling defensive pair of forwards.

Oubre in GS and Philly showed up as a nice role player. In CLT he as a scorer on a bad team riddled with injury. He was impressive in first round. Why do teams only sign him for near min salary and for only one year then? Goes getting Run over by a car after hours indicate a lifestyle not conducive to the type of character you don't want to commit tens of millions on? Is there an opinion that he plays well when playing for contract but prior did not put forth the effort?

Nalod wrote:

Panos wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Resign our guys including Precious if you can.
Find a backup ball handler (Rokas, draft or FA)
Sign a goon like Brown or Oubre
Find an OG-lite for when he gets hurt (Oubre can be that guy or draft)
Draft some young Thibs guys to groom slow like Deuce and provide emergency depth

Oubre is interesting. I wanted to sign him for several offseasons. I don’t get the Knicks lack of pursuit on him. He seems to put effort in. Just to have one less 7 foot wingspan in Philly, it would be worth it.

Oubre is a perfect fit on this team if there are enough minutes for him. I was impressed with him in the first round. His defense was smothering, and offense was active and sufficient.
He and OG would be a stiffling defensive pair of forwards.

Oubre in GS and Philly showed up as a nice role player. In CLT he as a scorer on a bad team riddled with injury. He was impressive in first round. Why do teams only sign him for near min salary and for only one year then? Goes getting Run over by a car after hours indicate a lifestyle not conducive to the type of character you don't want to commit tens of millions on? Is there an opinion that he plays well when playing for contract but prior did not put forth the effort?

So you are saying he is the Clit Commander. Like, he rules over that shit?

Panos wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Resign our guys including Precious if you can.
Find a backup ball handler (Rokas, draft or FA)
Sign a goon like Brown or Oubre
Find an OG-lite for when he gets hurt (Oubre can be that guy or draft)
Draft some young Thibs guys to groom slow like Deuce and provide emergency depth

Oubre is interesting. I wanted to sign him for several offseasons. I don’t get the Knicks lack of pursuit on him. He seems to put effort in. Just to have one less 7 foot wingspan in Philly, it would be worth it.

Oubre is a perfect fit on this team if there are enough minutes for him. I was impressed with him in the first round. His defense was smothering, and offense was active and sufficient.
He and OG would be a stiffling defensive pair of forwards.

I, too, was impressed with Oubre's defense, hustle, and grit. Would fit perfect on this team

TheMTL wrote:

Panos wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Resign our guys including Precious if you can.
Find a backup ball handler (Rokas, draft or FA)
Sign a goon like Brown or Oubre
Find an OG-lite for when he gets hurt (Oubre can be that guy or draft)
Draft some young Thibs guys to groom slow like Deuce and provide emergency depth

Oubre is interesting. I wanted to sign him for several offseasons. I don’t get the Knicks lack of pursuit on him. He seems to put effort in. Just to have one less 7 foot wingspan in Philly, it would be worth it.

Oubre is a perfect fit on this team if there are enough minutes for him. I was impressed with him in the first round. His defense was smothering, and offense was active and sufficient.
He and OG would be a stiffling defensive pair of forwards.

I, too, was impressed with Oubre's defense, hustle, and grit. Would fit perfect on this team

Would you give him roughly the same contract as DDV? Full or near full MLE?

EwingsGlass wrote:

TheMTL wrote:

Panos wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Resign our guys including Precious if you can.
Find a backup ball handler (Rokas, draft or FA)
Sign a goon like Brown or Oubre
Find an OG-lite for when he gets hurt (Oubre can be that guy or draft)
Draft some young Thibs guys to groom slow like Deuce and provide emergency depth

Oubre is interesting. I wanted to sign him for several offseasons. I don’t get the Knicks lack of pursuit on him. He seems to put effort in. Just to have one less 7 foot wingspan in Philly, it would be worth it.

Oubre is a perfect fit on this team if there are enough minutes for him. I was impressed with him in the first round. His defense was smothering, and offense was active and sufficient.
He and OG would be a stiffling defensive pair of forwards.

I, too, was impressed with Oubre's defense, hustle, and grit. Would fit perfect on this team

Would you give him roughly the same contract as DDV? Full or near full MLE?

BigDaddyG wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

TheMTL wrote:

Panos wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Resign our guys including Precious if you can.
Find a backup ball handler (Rokas, draft or FA)
Sign a goon like Brown or Oubre
Find an OG-lite for when he gets hurt (Oubre can be that guy or draft)
Draft some young Thibs guys to groom slow like Deuce and provide emergency depth

Oubre is interesting. I wanted to sign him for several offseasons. I don’t get the Knicks lack of pursuit on him. He seems to put effort in. Just to have one less 7 foot wingspan in Philly, it would be worth it.

Oubre is a perfect fit on this team if there are enough minutes for him. I was impressed with him in the first round. His defense was smothering, and offense was active and sufficient.
He and OG would be a stiffling defensive pair of forwards.

I, too, was impressed with Oubre's defense, hustle, and grit. Would fit perfect on this team

Would you give him roughly the same contract as DDV? Full or near full MLE?

No. I wouldn't mind him, but how much playing time would he realistically get. Are you playing him over Josh. Would Thibs?

Josh kind of just fits everywhere.

Brunson / McBride
DDV / Hart
OG / Oubre
Randle / Achiuwa
Hart / Robinson

I mean, Bogs probably loses minutes in this scenario?

C Hartenstein/ Robinson
PF Randle
SF Anunoby/ Hart
SG DiVincenzo
PG Brunson/ McBride

Knicks are invested in these 8 players. Bogdanovic is a placeholder due to his contract. He’s essentially our 9th man and his contract is most likely to be used in trade to add another valuable piece or let expire.

I love the idea of Oubre but I don’t see the Knicks using their MLE this year. There isn’t an available rotation spot to invest that sort of money. It’s easy to say the Knicks trade their picks, but they really need to use the picks this year to replenish the pipeline and backend of the roster. The backend of the roster can’t be Jeffries, Diake, Charlie Brown etc. We need players who can be real assets in the future and not just placeholders. Picks 24/25 can yield older prospects who are contributors in the near future. Pick 38 is ideal for a project that can be on a 2-way deal. This is the year to add youth with the top 8/9 players well-established.

The last wildcards are Achiuwa and Burks. Neither are rotation players on a fully healthy Knicks team, but both have been so necessary at different times this season and especially in these playoffs. I don’t expect both back, but would love to bring back either for cheap. But you basically have the 9 locked in, plus I expect Sims back on his cheap deal, then you have 4 or 5 remaining slots to fill thru the draft and cheap vet help. I don’t expect many changes this summer because I don’t expect a major trade, but you never know. But I will say the draft is very important this summer to keep building this thing going forward. And most of all I just want to see our entire primary rotation healthy, as we have yet to see it since the OG trade was made.