Knicks · Knicks off season moves (page 13)

Chandler wrote:

DLeethal wrote:The Durant move is a move if you are sold that you have to move on from KAT. I’m not necessarily sold on that but I’m close. And you have to be realistic about what kind of moves you can make with that salary.

And I do think Brunson - Mikal - OG - Durant - Mitch is a legit as you can build title contender.

Durant is a bit of a kook. He totally bitched out on OKC and they got nothing for him. Went super nova diva and had some snide remarks about Knicks when he could have just kept his trap shut

and I don't see how Durant makes us any less awkward on offense. At the moment, it seems JB/Thibs wants to run a D.Rose or Allen Iverson type of system where one guy takes all the shots; the other guys space and play D.

They approach got exposed by Detroit and Pacers and if we won OKC would have done same.

Durant and JB can take turns going to work which is what a Thibs offense is going to be regardless. Durant can create for himself and others against any defense, and can actually get volume 3s up with high efficiency against any defense versus needing to be set up like KAT and OG and Mikal. He will also be able to help JB against pressure.

Sure he’s a kook but again we’re talking about swapping KAT here we can’t really get the perfect player in their prime in return.

The lineup after a KAT / Durant trade is a bonafide championship level team in my opinion.

KD hasnt been on a good team in a while. PHO gutted their team for him. But imagine if PHO kept Mikal, and had OG, Hart, Brunson, Deuce and Mitch? That would be an incredible team.

nycericanguy wrote:

Chandler wrote:

DLeethal wrote:The Durant move is a move if you are sold that you have to move on from KAT. I’m not necessarily sold on that but I’m close. And you have to be realistic about what kind of moves you can make with that salary.

And I do think Brunson - Mikal - OG - Durant - Mitch is a legit as you can build title contender.

Durant is a bit of a kook. He totally bitched out on OKC and they got nothing for him. Went super nova diva and had some snide remarks about Knicks when he could have just kept his trap shut

and I don't see how Durant makes us any less awkward on offense. At the moment, it seems JB/Thibs wants to run a D.Rose or Allen Iverson type of system where one guy takes all the shots; the other guys space and play D.

They approach got exposed by Detroit and Pacers and if we won OKC would have done same.

Durant is one of the best offensive players in NBA history, you don't see how he'd help our offense? But its really more about defense.

KAT is one of the best shooting centers ever. The talent is there. Need to figure out how to use it.

There's only one ball

DLeethal wrote:

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:I didn’t realize KAT and Booker were college teammates but they were

It’s one better, they are best buddies.

Really makes a ton of sense tbh. PHX priority number 1 is likely to keep Booker happy and willing to stay.

For me, KAT to Suns is a real possibility if Leon doesn’t think Brunson/KAT defensively can be overcome. And then there’s the on court leadership thing, neither of them have it yet. And I’d say Yet cause I’d guess Brunson will get there, it’ll take time just as with Dirk; KAT is a classic Robin personality. For me, Brunson has shown enough as a closer and ISO specialist, just needs the team and game control thing. Durant brings that - as does Giannis - and both would be welcome IMHO. FO were so desperate to fill that gap they brought in PJ Tucker and kinda reneged on TJ Warren.

And then you have 2 or more incredible defenders in OG Mikal Deuce who are insanely frustrated having to deal with covering up for KAT. Article and McBride’s word say that for us.

KAT is the Knicks biggest decision. They kept pushing him all season to do the things. Now FO has to make a decision at a time where there is the best maneuverability on the market. They could keep him and make the same decision later but we shall see, gotta strike while opportunity is available.

DLeethal wrote:

Chandler wrote:

DLeethal wrote:The Durant move is a move if you are sold that you have to move on from KAT. I’m not necessarily sold on that but I’m close. And you have to be realistic about what kind of moves you can make with that salary.

And I do think Brunson - Mikal - OG - Durant - Mitch is a legit as you can build title contender.

Durant is a bit of a kook. He totally bitched out on OKC and they got nothing for him. Went super nova diva and had some snide remarks about Knicks when he could have just kept his trap shut

and I don't see how Durant makes us any less awkward on offense. At the moment, it seems JB/Thibs wants to run a D.Rose or Allen Iverson type of system where one guy takes all the shots; the other guys space and play D.

They approach got exposed by Detroit and Pacers and if we won OKC would have done same.

Durant and JB can take turns going to work which is what a Thibs offense is going to be regardless. Durant can create for himself and others against any defense, and can actually get volume 3s up with high efficiency against any defense versus needing to be set up like KAT and OG and Mikal. He will also be able to help JB against pressure.

Sure he’s a kook but again we’re talking about swapping KAT here we can’t really get the perfect player in their prime in return.

The lineup after a KAT / Durant trade is a bonafide championship level team in my opinion.

I dunno. I concede you know hoops better but I don't like Durant and I think best case scenario is we will now have the rest of the team stand around and watch JB and Durant take all the shots.

we need to find some synergy with KAT and JB in my opinion. And we need to find a way to better hide Town's limitations. Again, the Pacers' best player is also their worst defender; yet somehow I don't think we exploited that

we need some innovation in schemes and approaches

Chandler wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:

Chandler wrote:

DLeethal wrote:The Durant move is a move if you are sold that you have to move on from KAT. I’m not necessarily sold on that but I’m close. And you have to be realistic about what kind of moves you can make with that salary.

And I do think Brunson - Mikal - OG - Durant - Mitch is a legit as you can build title contender.

Durant is a bit of a kook. He totally bitched out on OKC and they got nothing for him. Went super nova diva and had some snide remarks about Knicks when he could have just kept his trap shut

and I don't see how Durant makes us any less awkward on offense. At the moment, it seems JB/Thibs wants to run a D.Rose or Allen Iverson type of system where one guy takes all the shots; the other guys space and play D.

They approach got exposed by Detroit and Pacers and if we won OKC would have done same.

Durant is one of the best offensive players in NBA history, you don't see how he'd help our offense? But its really more about defense.

KAT is one of the best shooting centers ever. The talent is there. Need to figure out how to use it.

There's only one ball

its defense though, bigs that cant move are getting picked on more and more.

KD is a better offensive player and our defense would improve greatly.

It’s the extension of Durant that’ll matter.

3 years at $40M? 2 at $50M? If it’s descending that would be good too.

Not for nothing but that may actually help the Knicks cap-wise if Durant doesn’t get injured.

He brings secondary ball handling. Elite ball handling and passing? I don’t know enough.

He is not inept defensively. That’s huge.

He is another elite closer.

He teaches Brunson about being an alpha in the league.

If you trade for Durant, maybe that entices Al Horford enough. Or CP3.

I want no part of a season where the storyline is now that we have KD it’s a chip or bust. That sounds very unenjoyable.

PassTheBall wrote:I want no part of a season where the storyline is now that we have KD it’s a chip or bust. That sounds very unenjoyable.

Knicks are already in that territory. We shall revel in it. It’s a good thing.

Chandler wrote:

DLeethal wrote:

Chandler wrote:

DLeethal wrote:The Durant move is a move if you are sold that you have to move on from KAT. I’m not necessarily sold on that but I’m close. And you have to be realistic about what kind of moves you can make with that salary.

And I do think Brunson - Mikal - OG - Durant - Mitch is a legit as you can build title contender.

Durant is a bit of a kook. He totally bitched out on OKC and they got nothing for him. Went super nova diva and had some snide remarks about Knicks when he could have just kept his trap shut

and I don't see how Durant makes us any less awkward on offense. At the moment, it seems JB/Thibs wants to run a D.Rose or Allen Iverson type of system where one guy takes all the shots; the other guys space and play D.

They approach got exposed by Detroit and Pacers and if we won OKC would have done same.

Durant and JB can take turns going to work which is what a Thibs offense is going to be regardless. Durant can create for himself and others against any defense, and can actually get volume 3s up with high efficiency against any defense versus needing to be set up like KAT and OG and Mikal. He will also be able to help JB against pressure.

Sure he’s a kook but again we’re talking about swapping KAT here we can’t really get the perfect player in their prime in return.

The lineup after a KAT / Durant trade is a bonafide championship level team in my opinion.

I dunno. I concede you know hoops better but I don't like Durant and I think best case scenario is we will now have the rest of the team stand around and watch JB and Durant take all the shots.

we need to find some synergy with KAT and JB in my opinion. And we need to find a way to better hide Town's limitations. Again, the Pacers' best player is also their worst defender; yet somehow I don't think we exploited that

we need some innovation in schemes and approaches

I think it’s safe to say this offseason might boil down to keep KAT and try a new coach to optimize it or trade KAT and get a better Thibs roster.

If it’s not chip or bust next year then we have problems. Brunson’s window is now. Can’t jerk around too much.

DLeethal wrote:If it’s not chip or bust next year then we have problems. Brunson’s window is now. Can’t jerk around too much.

not to mention Tatum out, next year is our year, thats how we gotta view it.

Mitch led the league in offensive rebound pct, KAT defensive. Brunson led in usage pct and top 3 in assist pct. The last stat surprised me. But it doesnt change the fact that players were often standing, watching JB for a reason.

These stats show that we can dominate the boards when we want to. If our D was in the top third in the league, we would have a shot at the Finals. Along with a lot fewer turnovers, and less ISO. We paid for that.

I am glad when Kevin Durant won’t be Knicks on 2025-2026 season . Like said before Dolan or front office don’t forgive players that turn down the Knicks multiple times. Kevin Durant doesn’t want to be on the Knicks just got accepted that , he had chance and chose the nets time to move on.

houston20 wrote:I am glad when Kevin Durant won’t be Knicks on 2025-2026 season . Like said before Dolan or front office don’t forgive players that turn down the Knicks multiple times. Kevin Durant doesn’t want to be on the Knicks just got accepted that , he had chance and chose the nets time to move on.

Leon doesn’t make decisions like you have framed above so we won’t have to worry. Leon doesn’t give two cents to what happened when circumstances were completely different and therefor irrelevant.

Thats how those guys make decisions and operate.

Good listen. 20 minutes mark as to good reasons why Mitch, Josh won’t be moved

Start at 2 minute mark.

martin wrote:

houston20 wrote:I am glad when Kevin Durant won’t be Knicks on 2025-2026 season . Like said before Dolan or front office don’t forgive players that turn down the Knicks multiple times. Kevin Durant doesn’t want to be on the Knicks just got accepted that , he had chance and chose the nets time to move on.

Leon doesn’t make decisions like you have framed above so we won’t have to worry. Leon doesn’t give two cents to what happened when circumstances were completely different and therefor irrelevant.

Thats how those guys make decisions and operate.

Kevin Durant has rejected the Knicks couple times already. When player rejects and says crap about franchise it typically means to owner that person doesn’t respect you. The stuff royal Ivey and Deandre Jordan did was class less you don’t want this guy on your team. How many times have Knicks in past and know go after a superstar that has rejected them multiple times and has been on team ever. The answer is never the Knicks after guys that reject them multiple times ala LeBron and Durant.

houston20 wrote:

martin wrote:

houston20 wrote:I am glad when Kevin Durant won’t be Knicks on 2025-2026 season . Like said before Dolan or front office don’t forgive players that turn down the Knicks multiple times. Kevin Durant doesn’t want to be on the Knicks just got accepted that , he had chance and chose the nets time to move on.

Leon doesn’t make decisions like you have framed above so we won’t have to worry. Leon doesn’t give two cents to what happened when circumstances were completely different and therefor irrelevant.

Thats how those guys make decisions and operate.

Kevin Durant has rejected the Knicks couple times already. When player rejects and says crap about franchise it typically means to owner that person doesn’t respect you. The stuff royal Ivey and Deandre Jordan did was class less you don’t want this guy on your team. How many times have Knicks in past and know go after a superstar that has rejected them multiple times and has been on team ever. The answer is never the Knicks after guys that reject them multiple times ala LeBron and Durant.

Until the past 2 years, the Knicks were shitty. Everyone including Dolan knows that and understands it, even if it hurts to say it out loud.

I’m just letting you know Leon doesn’t care about those things and won’t take into consideration what Durant said about the Knicks if he feels that it’ll get him a championship. Maybe some people hold emotional grudges like that but we will be glad Leon operates his business differently; he doesn’t care cause why would he?

Knicks, strangely, are not operating from a position of weakness for the first time in a long while. They have a tradable piece in KAT (if that’s the hypothetical) and Durant, Giannis can envision what the hype would be if they were co centerpieces with Brunson. It’s real.

Knicks may not be operating from strength but they are a legit top 5 team with defenders and spacers and the best closer in the game.

This is a new calculus and all it’ll take is one of those to see it. They’ll have options in SAS or OKC or maybe Houston but that’s it?

Another issue the Knicks need to address:

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martin wrote:Another issue the Knicks need to address:

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And how is this addressed?

I mean, this team did seem fundamentally flawed in many areas, but they aren’t youngsters. Do you give them all dribbling boot camps in the offseason?

I honestly wonder because sometimes it seems that players are just content in remaining flawed. OG for example should focus more on this than on how many touches he gets. KAT should take all the criticism on his defense and work on it.

Lots of basic stuff this team seemed to slack on. The more I think about it, the more I marvel at how talented this team is that won as many games as they did with poor coaching and some poor fundamentals.

The key for the Knicks is to re-establish an identity that is true to its players and coaching staff. What we were last season was a heliocentric offensive team that rarely turned the ball over and whose offensive rebounding became elite enough to produce efficient offense. We also had a pivot that could run high-low options to diversify our offense, while keeping the defense second-guessing.

On defense, we were anchored by guys that played ELITE drop coverage; protecting the rim at all costs for 48 minutes a game, EVERY game.

We strayed away from that this season for financial reasons and as an asset play. That being said, I think key to what we do this off-season, should focus on getting rid of KAT and the money he's owed long-term. He simply does not fit the aforementioned identity that we need to aspire to and frustrates his teammates as well as the fan base with his inconsistent play and attitude. Our return should focus moreso on DEPTH than STARPOWER. IND and OKC advancing to the Finals is proof-concept that platoon rotations are the optimal strategy given the current landscape in the NBA. Contenders are so handicapped due to aprons that they are susceptible to being beat by teams that can simply overwhelm their opponent through attrition.

I mentioned this in another thread but I think KAT to BKN for Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson would work for me. It adds depth, size and synergy to the roster (since Claxton and Robinson are facisimiles to each other; Johnson a former teammate of Bridges). Longer-term, Claxton has a depreciating contract that will help us financial flexibility to add to the roster, while Johnson offers us cost-certainity at a reasonable, long-term price-point. I also wouldn't be opposed to expanding the deal to trade those two for Isiah Hartenstein (who will be too expensive for OKC to keep) and DDV.

The rest will work itself out with the youth we have currently in development. I wouldn't be surprised if we stumbled into a G-League gem next season, considering the growth I've observed from that program. I also think Kevin McCullar is WILDLY underappreciated and will start showing dividends immediately next season.

As far as free agent signings, we need CP3. I also wonder what the Wizards do with Saddiq Bey. I think he'd be useful to us off the bench as a forward and his pedigree as a Villanova grad should have its own appeal.