Knicks · Why are we not thinking like Leon does, part 2. Why did Leon trade for Mikal? (page 2)

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:WANT was a next level difference maker to allow us to beat Boston! We did not get that.
Need is to make your roster better and fill holes. Bridges makes the roster better. We still have a hole at backup center. The question will be if the cost of Bridges will keep us from getting what we really WANT and the ability to fill that hole at center.

Why would you start your assumption there?

If Mikal can take away defensive responsibility of a singular defensive wing in OG who can then take defensive responsibility away from Randle (we have seen some of that January magic?), and they both elevate what Randle and Jalen do best allowing them to be their ultimate best, why is that not objectively getting what you want? It’s perhaps not a direct upgrade in a singular player but the indirect upgrades around them is, objectively, a definite want. In January, team toasted Philly Boston Denver.

Everyone, in different ways, is better. That is not a Want? I guess it’s how much you envision those upgrades have gotten, eye of the beholder. OG was lightening in a bottle for a full glorious month. We got another one of those coming. Possibly.

If Mikal can start which allows DDV to become a super duper sub and shores up that second unit that does not have a more traditional rim protecting backup center, why is that not a difference making move? Mikal’s potential intro to the starting lineup makes DDVs job hypothetically super easy, no? And he and Deuce have shown us this, that they are up to it, right? Boston’s bench is not anywhere Knicks bench and that’s a super killa want. Depth and second unit.

I thought OG was a difference making move. Same with Mikal.

And why can’t those beat Boston? My question is why does Boston think they can keep up with a healthy Knicks team?

The positions on Mikal feel like the same positions taken on OG. If you loved the OG trade on 12/31, you probably love the Bridges trade. It’s in the exact same vein of a trade. 3&D Hustle player with positional size.

No doubt.

When DDV was signed, there were a lot of sentiment to that he was redundant and didn’t make sense initially.

I think one big thing being overlooked is the insurance provided by Mikal in case of an injury to OG.

martin wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:WANT was a next level difference maker to allow us to beat Boston! We did not get that.
Need is to make your roster better and fill holes. Bridges makes the roster better. We still have a hole at backup center. The question will be if the cost of Bridges will keep us from getting what we really WANT and the ability to fill that hole at center.

Why would you start your assumption there?

If Mikal can take away defensive responsibility of a singular defensive wing in OG who can then take defensive responsibility away from Randle (we have seen some of that January magic?), and they both elevate what Randle and Jalen do best allowing them to be their ultimate best, why is that not objectively getting what you want? It’s perhaps not a direct upgrade in a singular player but the indirect upgrades around them is, objectively, a definite want. In January, team toasted Philly Boston Denver.

Everyone, in different ways, is better. That is not a Want? I guess it’s how much you envision those upgrades have gotten, eye of the beholder. OG was lightening in a bottle for a full glorious month. We got another one of those coming. Possibly.

If Mikal can start which allows DDV to become a super duper sub and shores up that second unit that does not have a more traditional rim protecting backup center, why is that not a difference making move? Mikal’s potential intro to the starting lineup makes DDVs job hypothetically super easy, no? And he and Deuce have shown us this, that they are up to it, right? Boston’s bench is not anywhere Knicks bench and that’s a super killa want. Depth and second unit.

I thought OG was a difference making move. Same with Mikal.

And why can’t those beat Boston? My question is why does Boston think they can keep up with a healthy Knicks team?

The positions on Mikal feel like the same positions taken on OG. If you loved the OG trade on 12/31, you probably love the Bridges trade. It’s in the exact same vein of a trade. 3&D Hustle player with positional size.

No doubt.

When DDV was signed, there were a lot of sentiment to that he was redundant and didn’t make sense initially.

IQ was still here and the notion he'd be resigned was questioned and if so at what price. . He was expendable via trade which eventually happened.
Present day we have the intrigue of Jules contract and perhaps can be traded if it comes to that.

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:WANT was a next level difference maker to allow us to beat Boston! We did not get that.
Need is to make your roster better and fill holes. Bridges makes the roster better. We still have a hole at backup center. The question will be if the cost of Bridges will keep us from getting what we really WANT and the ability to fill that hole at center.

Why would you start your assumption there?

If Mikal can take away defensive responsibility of a singular defensive wing in OG who can then take defensive responsibility away from Randle (we have seen some of that January magic?), and they both elevate what Randle and Jalen do best allowing them to be their ultimate best, why is that not objectively getting what you want? It’s perhaps not a direct upgrade in a singular player but the indirect upgrades around them is, objectively, a definite want. In January, team toasted Philly Boston Denver.

Everyone, in different ways, is better. That is not a Want? I guess it’s how much you envision those upgrades have gotten, eye of the beholder. OG was lightening in a bottle for a full glorious month. We got another one of those coming. Possibly.

If Mikal can start which allows DDV to become a super duper sub and shores up that second unit that does not have a more traditional rim protecting backup center, why is that not a difference making move? Mikal’s potential intro to the starting lineup makes DDVs job hypothetically super easy, no? And he and Deuce have shown us this, that they are up to it, right? Boston’s bench is not anywhere Knicks bench and that’s a super killa want. Depth and second unit.

I thought OG was a difference making move. Same with Mikal.

And why can’t those beat Boston? My question is why does Boston think they can keep up with a healthy Knicks team?

The positions on Mikal feel like the same positions taken on OG. If you loved the OG trade on 12/31, you probably love the Bridges trade. It’s in the exact same vein of a trade. 3&D Hustle player with positional size.

Everything you just mentioned basically covers my assertion that the “Knicks got better”.
I agree and am pumped to see this roster play. Not disappointed with off season at all.
Most here have wanted a top 10-15 tier player for some time. Including me.
Or a top tier player at the C spot to make up for deficiencies at that position in spreading the floor and adding additional scoring.
Adding and paying as much as we did to add to a crowded wing core did not seem like what I wanted.
At the end of the day and games you can only have DD or Bridges in there. Unless you are taking out any of the other core pieces. Imho, I don’t see Bridges over Donte as a huge upgrade. I hope I am proven wrong. However, to Ewingsglass’s point, I was wrong about the impact OG’s addition would have.
As for thinking we can beat Boston, by getting better, which I already said we got (Depending how we fill backup center loss of Ihart), we sure as hell have a shot. But we can’t exactly say everyone is got us as favorites to beat Boston even after Bridges trade.

HofstraBBall wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:WANT was a next level difference maker to allow us to beat Boston! We did not get that.
Need is to make your roster better and fill holes. Bridges makes the roster better. We still have a hole at backup center. The question will be if the cost of Bridges will keep us from getting what we really WANT and the ability to fill that hole at center.

Why would you start your assumption there?

If Mikal can take away defensive responsibility of a singular defensive wing in OG who can then take defensive responsibility away from Randle (we have seen some of that January magic?), and they both elevate what Randle and Jalen do best allowing them to be their ultimate best, why is that not objectively getting what you want? It’s perhaps not a direct upgrade in a singular player but the indirect upgrades around them is, objectively, a definite want. In January, team toasted Philly Boston Denver.

Everyone, in different ways, is better. That is not a Want? I guess it’s how much you envision those upgrades have gotten, eye of the beholder. OG was lightening in a bottle for a full glorious month. We got another one of those coming. Possibly.

If Mikal can start which allows DDV to become a super duper sub and shores up that second unit that does not have a more traditional rim protecting backup center, why is that not a difference making move? Mikal’s potential intro to the starting lineup makes DDVs job hypothetically super easy, no? And he and Deuce have shown us this, that they are up to it, right? Boston’s bench is not anywhere Knicks bench and that’s a super killa want. Depth and second unit.

I thought OG was a difference making move. Same with Mikal.

And why can’t those beat Boston? My question is why does Boston think they can keep up with a healthy Knicks team?

The positions on Mikal feel like the same positions taken on OG. If you loved the OG trade on 12/31, you probably love the Bridges trade. It’s in the exact same vein of a trade. 3&D Hustle player with positional size.

Everything you just mentioned basically covers my assertion that the “Knicks got better”.
I agree and am pumped to see this roster play. Not disappointed with off season at all.
Most here have wanted a top 10-15 tier player for some time. Including me.
Or a top tier player at the C spot to make up for deficiencies at that position in spreading the floor and adding additional scoring.
Adding and paying as much as we did to add to a crowded wing core did not seem like what I wanted.
At the end of the day and games you can only have DD or Bridges in there. Unless you are taking out any of the other core pieces. Imho, I don’t see Bridges over Donte as a huge upgrade. I hope I am proven wrong. However, to Ewingsglass’s point, I was wrong about the impact OG’s addition would have.
As for thinking we can beat Boston, by getting better, which I already said we got (Depending how we fill backup center loss of Ihart), we sure as hell have a shot. But we can’t exactly say everyone is got us as favorites to beat Boston even after Bridges trade.

Mikal will be more consistent than DDV if in that 2 sport. WE get such great defensive flexibility 1-4.
I agree we got better with Mikal. I hope the chemistry with him is as it was adding OG.

Back the queistion: "Why did Leon Trade for Mikal": To give knicks an upgrade of talent, elite perimeter defender to ease the load on both OG an JB, and the abilty to slide OG to the 4 if desired or need be. We insulate ourselves a bit more from injury and if Randle should leave without any compensation we are not awfully screwed. It puts Randle on notice that if he wants to be paid, then we can accommodate him via trade, and the team has limitations to what can and connot be done.

WHile about every team has its issues knicks seem to be drama free and transparent with its players. I like that IG and RJ were put into good situations.

We are not perfect, Isiah overshot his salary with a surge of good play.

Nalod wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:WANT was a next level difference maker to allow us to beat Boston! We did not get that.
Need is to make your roster better and fill holes. Bridges makes the roster better. We still have a hole at backup center. The question will be if the cost of Bridges will keep us from getting what we really WANT and the ability to fill that hole at center.

Why would you start your assumption there?

If Mikal can take away defensive responsibility of a singular defensive wing in OG who can then take defensive responsibility away from Randle (we have seen some of that January magic?), and they both elevate what Randle and Jalen do best allowing them to be their ultimate best, why is that not objectively getting what you want? It’s perhaps not a direct upgrade in a singular player but the indirect upgrades around them is, objectively, a definite want. In January, team toasted Philly Boston Denver.

Everyone, in different ways, is better. That is not a Want? I guess it’s how much you envision those upgrades have gotten, eye of the beholder. OG was lightening in a bottle for a full glorious month. We got another one of those coming. Possibly.

If Mikal can start which allows DDV to become a super duper sub and shores up that second unit that does not have a more traditional rim protecting backup center, why is that not a difference making move? Mikal’s potential intro to the starting lineup makes DDVs job hypothetically super easy, no? And he and Deuce have shown us this, that they are up to it, right? Boston’s bench is not anywhere Knicks bench and that’s a super killa want. Depth and second unit.

I thought OG was a difference making move. Same with Mikal.

And why can’t those beat Boston? My question is why does Boston think they can keep up with a healthy Knicks team?

The positions on Mikal feel like the same positions taken on OG. If you loved the OG trade on 12/31, you probably love the Bridges trade. It’s in the exact same vein of a trade. 3&D Hustle player with positional size.

Everything you just mentioned basically covers my assertion that the “Knicks got better”.
I agree and am pumped to see this roster play. Not disappointed with off season at all.
Most here have wanted a top 10-15 tier player for some time. Including me.
Or a top tier player at the C spot to make up for deficiencies at that position in spreading the floor and adding additional scoring.
Adding and paying as much as we did to add to a crowded wing core did not seem like what I wanted.
At the end of the day and games you can only have DD or Bridges in there. Unless you are taking out any of the other core pieces. Imho, I don’t see Bridges over Donte as a huge upgrade. I hope I am proven wrong. However, to Ewingsglass’s point, I was wrong about the impact OG’s addition would have.
As for thinking we can beat Boston, by getting better, which I already said we got (Depending how we fill backup center loss of Ihart), we sure as hell have a shot. But we can’t exactly say everyone is got us as favorites to beat Boston even after Bridges trade.

Mikal will be more consistent than DDV if in that 2 sport. WE get such great defensive flexibility 1-4.
I agree we got better with Mikal. I hope the chemistry with him is as it was adding OG.

Mentioned in another thread, agree Chemistry and fit will be key.
Bridges was the go to in Brooklyn. Can he go back to role he had in Phoenix? Think so.
With DD, we did not have that issue.

Nalod wrote:Back the queistion: "Why did Leon Trade for Mikal": To give knicks an upgrade of talent, elite perimeter defender to ease the load on both OG an JB, and the abilty to slide OG to the 4 if desired or need be. We insulate ourselves a bit more from injury and if Randle should leave without any compensation we are not awfully screwed. It puts Randle on notice that if he wants to be paid, then we can accommodate him via trade, and the team has limitations to what can and connot be done.

WHile about every team has its issues knicks seem to be drama free and transparent with its players. I like that IG and RJ were put into good situations.

We are not perfect, Isiah overshot his salary with a surge of good play.

Yes to all of this and thanks. I know I ask repeatedly stupid questions, that's on me. I have zero insight into any of this and I'd bet someone else's farm on a lot of it

My thought: Leon does not do this all-in level trade before he has Brunson's contract nailed down and has a very firm understanding of exactly how flexible Mikal and his agent will be and what their years and total amount for those years will be. He will not "tamper" but Leon will already *know* and per-arrange the Mikal contract before his Brooklyn offer is made. Before it is a trade with Brooklyn, it is a negotiation with both Brunson and Mikal, cause that's when Leon has the leverage. "Jalen, if you could extend at this number and Mikal is kinda sorta OK at this number extension, my FO will make an unprecedented offer to Brooklyn that they will not refuse". It's a quick FaceTime call cause Leon don't got the Insta but his daughter does so she could help out. Not a long call cause Brunson couldn't be happier to bro it out with the Nova boys; Archie gets added to the playoff roster if there is a spot and 4 other backup C's are well established, it's a conditional ask.

If if if Mikal is on the discount train, or in the very least it is a known known and can go up or down, Leon gains both flexibility and (more) leverage in the Randle negotiation. Does he need it or would he use it? Maybe not, but the peer pressure is now real, and Randle will know his option of not being the faith'iest of good faith negotiators can mean he will be on another team, soon.

NY has managed its cap better than any non rookie contract teams like OKC, Houston that are playoff bound; that's a debatable statement but I don't think it's far off. Give or take, every other legit playoff team in NBA (and I'm being a hint generous here) has at least 1 player that will make at least $40M on their books starting this year, except the Knicks (OG makes $39.5 in 2025-26), Cleveland (2 in 2025), Memphis, NOP, Orlando, Toronto. Depending on what Randle does, Knicks will mostly likely not have one salary over $40M until 2026-27 season. I don't know what the TV numbers will be, but Knicks would easily have very good flexibility for a long time. Brock happy.

You don't gain that level of salary cap management without Brunson. Maybe Jalen is just individually generous and that could very well be, but I'd bet it was more like he turned extra generous when he knew the trade was going to be for Mikal versus almost anyone else in the league who could have fit a Bojan Bogdanović sized swap of this type.

A side effect of Mikal is maybe Shamet and Cam Payne? You could argue they would have come independently? Perhaps.

In a typical all-in trade, you go all the picks and a deadweight contracts (or cap space) for, let's say, young player at $35-50M per? For hypotheticals, that's the baseline.

In this trade, you get:

- Mikal
- Mikal discounted at his output value of $~35-40M for 2 years, so a potential extra cap flexibility of up to $20m per. This one is very debatable depending on how you view player, but at $24M per for 2 more years, that's one of the better bargains out there for an elite 2-way player with a track record of 82 games a year.
- You get the Brunson extension done (likely)
- You get Mikal's extension done with (probable)
- You get added leverage with Randle negotiations
- You position yourself with apron flexibility for 2-4 years depending on Randle/Mitch, this means you are a deep playoff team that can still do non-apron trades (soon). I don't begin to understand all of this but Knicks have a lot of certainty on their cap and with potential trades.
- Certainty of depth is an obvious tag along for this.
- Positionally, you gain more OG minutes at other spots like PF, C for unique circumstances without losing a top line wing defender. Attached to this is more certainty of small ball lineups that make sense.
- One of DDV or McBride becomes, unfortunately, easily moveable. It'll be 99.9% McBride. Mikal would fill the defensive assignment of the quick PG or small guards OG had trouble with and McBride could cover.
- Instant chemistry without the lockerroom worries. The chemistry could very well be a multiplier cause of this unique type of circumstance. This particular player comes with finals and deep playoffs experience. Let's be content he kinda sorta had a down year and also had a lead role he practiced at for a year?
- A by product of this is Shamet and Cam. Most likely negligible.

I think a lot of those are uniquely gained versus a different player.

Look at the Embiid numbers and he is in the range of Brunson's basketball value to his team. That's an extra player on the roster in the $20M range. So Josh Hart or almost Mikal, for 4+ years, along with trade flexibility and depth. Yowza

         24-25 25-26  27   28    29
Brunson: $25m, $35m, $38m, $40m, $43m
Embiid   $51m, $55m, $60m, $64m, $69m

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Thats quite the manifesto Martin!

MY take on Brunson is top 5 type season he had is not sustainable and going forward not needed thus he looks more at his career than the money.
I think he knows Doris and others are right, little guys don't carry franchises! Don't mean they don't win chips though!!!
Embiid is MVP type and a monster. Jalen knows he need be part of an ensemble. Leon gets it.

Nalod wrote:Thats quite the manifesto Martin!

MY take on Brunson is top 5 type season he had is not sustainable and going forward not needed thus he looks more at his career than the money.
I think he knows Doris and others are right, little guys don't carry franchises! Don't mean they don't win chips though!!!
Embiid is MVP type and a monster. Jalen knows he need be part of an ensemble. Leon gets it.

I have an interesting different take on that. Mostly cause I re-read this one recently.

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3509...

If I am Leon, I think, Brunson is a muthafucker that just took a discount. With DDV and Hart he dropped bombs on the league at a relatively efficient clip despite being severely undermanned due to injuries. So, Mikal stands out as another complimentary player.

Now, I'd be thinking about is how to keep Brunson's usage over 30%. Having a top 10 player is good for the franchise. So he kept optionality where Randle + Robinson + Achiuwa is equal to $50k more than any 2022 Max extension player, like KAT and Booker. Brunson / DDV / Bridges / OG / KAT does have a certain appeal to it, and no one can know where teams will be in a few months. So, maybe we hold off on extending Randle. If clicks within Brunson's team, OG + Robinson also adds up to a 2022 max. Brunson/Booker/Bridges/Randle would be formidable.

I do think it is sustainable IF he gets the usage. I do believe the addition of Bridges and the return of Randle challenge that usage.

I feel pretty good cause we put those future draft picks to work this year and can still pivot and move some of our talent for other solid players if needed.

Sit back and wait for the season to start.

EwingsGlass wrote:

Nalod wrote:Thats quite the manifesto Martin!

MY take on Brunson is top 5 type season he had is not sustainable and going forward not needed thus he looks more at his career than the money.
I think he knows Doris and others are right, little guys don't carry franchises! Don't mean they don't win chips though!!!
Embiid is MVP type and a monster. Jalen knows he need be part of an ensemble. Leon gets it.

I have an interesting different take on that. Mostly cause I re-read this one recently.

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3509...

If I am Leon, I think, Brunson is a muthafucker that just took a discount. With DDV and Hart he dropped bombs on the league at a relatively efficient clip despite being severely undermanned due to injuries. So, Mikal stands out as another complimentary player.

Now, I'd be thinking about is how to keep Brunson's usage over 30%. Having a top 10 player is good for the franchise. So he kept optionality where Randle + Robinson + Achiuwa is equal to $50k more than any 2022 Max extension player, like KAT and Booker. Brunson / DDV / Bridges / OG / KAT does have a certain appeal to it, and no one can know where teams will be in a few months. So, maybe we hold off on extending Randle. If clicks within Brunson's team, OG + Robinson also adds up to a 2022 max. Brunson/Booker/Bridges/Randle would be formidable.

I do think it is sustainable IF he gets the usage. I do believe the addition of Bridges and the return of Randle challenge that usage.

I feel pretty good cause we put those future draft picks to work this year and can still pivot and move some of our talent for other solid players if needed.

Sit back and wait for the season to start.

The one thing I’d say about Phoenix is that I’d guess they try to move Durant before Booker. Not that the Knicks should go after Durant, but I don’t think Booker is really a trade option. Suns would need to falter and be willing to fold on the season.

Durant Beal filler for FVV Brooks Jalen & Jeff Green, filler, future Phoenix picks back?

Houston getting the marquee guys for owner, Phoenix gets out of Beal and luxury tax hell, and get picks back.

Flimsy but not unreasonable? Eh

I don’t consider Brunson a traditional small. That guy got a fat head and stouter body.

martin wrote:I don’t consider Brunson a traditional small. That guy got a fat head and stouter body.

You just described a dwarf. You're saying our star is from a lost race that roamed the mountains of Middle Earth?

BigDaddyG wrote:

martin wrote:I don’t consider Brunson a traditional small. That guy got a fat head and stouter body.

You just described a dwarf. You're saying our star is from a lost race that roamed the mountains of Middle Earth?

Well, I’m saying Brunson did not have to get into character during Lord of the Rings, he just showed up and was assumed in costume and ready to go, they gave him an axe, flask, and kilt. That’s it.

One more caveat: NBA may expand for 2027-28 season. Typically you can only protect 8 that summer.

Brunson, Mikal, Hart, DDV, OG, Randle, ?, ?

Plans will be made to consolidate down to 8 at the appropriate time.

martin wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Nalod wrote:Thats quite the manifesto Martin!

MY take on Brunson is top 5 type season he had is not sustainable and going forward not needed thus he looks more at his career than the money.
I think he knows Doris and others are right, little guys don't carry franchises! Don't mean they don't win chips though!!!
Embiid is MVP type and a monster. Jalen knows he need be part of an ensemble. Leon gets it.

I have an interesting different take on that. Mostly cause I re-read this one recently.

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3509...

If I am Leon, I think, Brunson is a muthafucker that just took a discount. With DDV and Hart he dropped bombs on the league at a relatively efficient clip despite being severely undermanned due to injuries. So, Mikal stands out as another complimentary player.

Now, I'd be thinking about is how to keep Brunson's usage over 30%. Having a top 10 player is good for the franchise. So he kept optionality where Randle + Robinson + Achiuwa is equal to $50k more than any 2022 Max extension player, like KAT and Booker. Brunson / DDV / Bridges / OG / KAT does have a certain appeal to it, and no one can know where teams will be in a few months. So, maybe we hold off on extending Randle. If clicks within Brunson's team, OG + Robinson also adds up to a 2022 max. Brunson/Booker/Bridges/Randle would be formidable.

I do think it is sustainable IF he gets the usage. I do believe the addition of Bridges and the return of Randle challenge that usage.

I feel pretty good cause we put those future draft picks to work this year and can still pivot and move some of our talent for other solid players if needed.

Sit back and wait for the season to start.

The one thing I’d say about Phoenix is that I’d guess they try to move Durant before Booker. Not that the Knicks should go after Durant, but I don’t think Booker is really a trade option. Suns would need to falter and be willing to fold on the season.

Durant Beal filler for FVV Brooks Jalen & Jeff Green, filler, future Phoenix picks back?

Houston getting the marquee guys for owner, Phoenix gets out of Beal and luxury tax hell, and get picks back.

Flimsy but not unreasonable? Eh

Of course you are right. And I don’t know that our guys are gonna deliver a Booker. Just saying that the math is there to take down a max contract, if they wished without touching Brunson, Bridges, DDV, Hart, OG.

martin wrote:One more caveat: NBA may expand for 2027-28 season. Typically you can only protect 8 that summer.

Brunson, Mikal, Hart, DDV, OG, Randle, ?, ?

Plans will be made to consolidate down to 8 at the appropriate time.

Mitch and Deuce would be the last two protected I think. Will be interesting.

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Nalod wrote:Thats quite the manifesto Martin!

MY take on Brunson is top 5 type season he had is not sustainable and going forward not needed thus he looks more at his career than the money.
I think he knows Doris and others are right, little guys don't carry franchises! Don't mean they don't win chips though!!!
Embiid is MVP type and a monster. Jalen knows he need be part of an ensemble. Leon gets it.

I have an interesting different take on that. Mostly cause I re-read this one recently.

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3509...

If I am Leon, I think, Brunson is a muthafucker that just took a discount. With DDV and Hart he dropped bombs on the league at a relatively efficient clip despite being severely undermanned due to injuries. So, Mikal stands out as another complimentary player.

Now, I'd be thinking about is how to keep Brunson's usage over 30%. Having a top 10 player is good for the franchise. So he kept optionality where Randle + Robinson + Achiuwa is equal to $50k more than any 2022 Max extension player, like KAT and Booker. Brunson / DDV / Bridges / OG / KAT does have a certain appeal to it, and no one can know where teams will be in a few months. So, maybe we hold off on extending Randle. If clicks within Brunson's team, OG + Robinson also adds up to a 2022 max. Brunson/Booker/Bridges/Randle would be formidable.

I do think it is sustainable IF he gets the usage. I do believe the addition of Bridges and the return of Randle challenge that usage.

I feel pretty good cause we put those future draft picks to work this year and can still pivot and move some of our talent for other solid players if needed.

Sit back and wait for the season to start.

The one thing I’d say about Phoenix is that I’d guess they try to move Durant before Booker. Not that the Knicks should go after Durant, but I don’t think Booker is really a trade option. Suns would need to falter and be willing to fold on the season.

Durant Beal filler for FVV Brooks Jalen & Jeff Green, filler, future Phoenix picks back?

Houston getting the marquee guys for owner, Phoenix gets out of Beal and luxury tax hell, and get picks back.

Flimsy but not unreasonable? Eh

Of course you are right. And I don’t know that our guys are gonna deliver a Booker. Just saying that the math is there to take down a max contract, if they wished without touching Brunson, Bridges, DDV, Hart, OG.

I wrote when the new owner bought the Suns, that he should break up the team, stock up on draft picks, rebuild. I wonder if he feels that way now?

GustavBahler wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Nalod wrote:Thats quite the manifesto Martin!

MY take on Brunson is top 5 type season he had is not sustainable and going forward not needed thus he looks more at his career than the money.
I think he knows Doris and others are right, little guys don't carry franchises! Don't mean they don't win chips though!!!
Embiid is MVP type and a monster. Jalen knows he need be part of an ensemble. Leon gets it.

I have an interesting different take on that. Mostly cause I re-read this one recently.

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3509...

If I am Leon, I think, Brunson is a muthafucker that just took a discount. With DDV and Hart he dropped bombs on the league at a relatively efficient clip despite being severely undermanned due to injuries. So, Mikal stands out as another complimentary player.

Now, I'd be thinking about is how to keep Brunson's usage over 30%. Having a top 10 player is good for the franchise. So he kept optionality where Randle + Robinson + Achiuwa is equal to $50k more than any 2022 Max extension player, like KAT and Booker. Brunson / DDV / Bridges / OG / KAT does have a certain appeal to it, and no one can know where teams will be in a few months. So, maybe we hold off on extending Randle. If clicks within Brunson's team, OG + Robinson also adds up to a 2022 max. Brunson/Booker/Bridges/Randle would be formidable.

I do think it is sustainable IF he gets the usage. I do believe the addition of Bridges and the return of Randle challenge that usage.

I feel pretty good cause we put those future draft picks to work this year and can still pivot and move some of our talent for other solid players if needed.

Sit back and wait for the season to start.

The one thing I’d say about Phoenix is that I’d guess they try to move Durant before Booker. Not that the Knicks should go after Durant, but I don’t think Booker is really a trade option. Suns would need to falter and be willing to fold on the season.

Durant Beal filler for FVV Brooks Jalen & Jeff Green, filler, future Phoenix picks back?

Houston getting the marquee guys for owner, Phoenix gets out of Beal and luxury tax hell, and get picks back.

Flimsy but not unreasonable? Eh

Of course you are right. And I don’t know that our guys are gonna deliver a Booker. Just saying that the math is there to take down a max contract, if they wished without touching Brunson, Bridges, DDV, Hart, OG.

I wrote when the new owner bought the Suns, that he should break up the team, stock up on draft picks, rebuild. I wonder if he feels that way now?

Unfortunately, he has Isaiah Thomas giving him advice.

BigDaddyG wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Nalod wrote:Thats quite the manifesto Martin!

MY take on Brunson is top 5 type season he had is not sustainable and going forward not needed thus he looks more at his career than the money.
I think he knows Doris and others are right, little guys don't carry franchises! Don't mean they don't win chips though!!!
Embiid is MVP type and a monster. Jalen knows he need be part of an ensemble. Leon gets it.

I have an interesting different take on that. Mostly cause I re-read this one recently.

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3509...

If I am Leon, I think, Brunson is a muthafucker that just took a discount. With DDV and Hart he dropped bombs on the league at a relatively efficient clip despite being severely undermanned due to injuries. So, Mikal stands out as another complimentary player.

Now, I'd be thinking about is how to keep Brunson's usage over 30%. Having a top 10 player is good for the franchise. So he kept optionality where Randle + Robinson + Achiuwa is equal to $50k more than any 2022 Max extension player, like KAT and Booker. Brunson / DDV / Bridges / OG / KAT does have a certain appeal to it, and no one can know where teams will be in a few months. So, maybe we hold off on extending Randle. If clicks within Brunson's team, OG + Robinson also adds up to a 2022 max. Brunson/Booker/Bridges/Randle would be formidable.

I do think it is sustainable IF he gets the usage. I do believe the addition of Bridges and the return of Randle challenge that usage.

I feel pretty good cause we put those future draft picks to work this year and can still pivot and move some of our talent for other solid players if needed.

Sit back and wait for the season to start.

The one thing I’d say about Phoenix is that I’d guess they try to move Durant before Booker. Not that the Knicks should go after Durant, but I don’t think Booker is really a trade option. Suns would need to falter and be willing to fold on the season.

Durant Beal filler for FVV Brooks Jalen & Jeff Green, filler, future Phoenix picks back?

Houston getting the marquee guys for owner, Phoenix gets out of Beal and luxury tax hell, and get picks back.

Flimsy but not unreasonable? Eh

Of course you are right. And I don’t know that our guys are gonna deliver a Booker. Just saying that the math is there to take down a max contract, if they wished without touching Brunson, Bridges, DDV, Hart, OG.

I wrote when the new owner bought the Suns, that he should break up the team, stock up on draft picks, rebuild. I wonder if he feels that way now?

Unfortunately, he has Isaiah Thomas giving him advice.

LOL that explains it. Thomas would have been the one to ask about the draft, if they went for a rebuild. Not the other stuff.

HE literally traded for Durant like the day he bought the team.