Knicks · Knicks off season moves (page 31)

Panos wrote:It might just be me, but I'm not keen on JJJ. Fails my eye test. Dude moves in slow motion.

but how's his footwork?

jaydh wrote:

Panos wrote:It might just be me, but I'm not keen on JJJ. Fails my eye test. Dude moves in slow motion.

but how's his footwork?

VDesai wrote:Kennard has always made sense. Don't expect defense, but he is a smart offensive player and one of the best shooters in the game.

And he provides some secondary playmaking which makes him a good fit with Deuce off the bench.

Knicks acquired his right in Kat deal.

Goodbye Mitch and hello to our new Huck/Nnaji back-up center tandem.

I joke on Mitch but seems Nnaji has 4 years of International experience and played some minutes past 2 years.

Remember his highlights looked uber athletic -- maybe our new Yves Messi

LivingLegend wrote:Apparently James Nnaji (21) has informed Barcelona he is leaving to pursue career in NBA.

Knicks acquired his right in Kat deal.

Goodbye Mitch and hello to our new Huck/Nnaji back-up center tandem.

I joke on Mitch but seems Nnaji has 4 years of International experience and played some minutes past 2 years.

Remember his highlights looked uber athletic -- maybe our new Yves Messi

This is a wild card for sure. Supposedly Charlotte moved his rights because he told them he would never play there after not wanting to be drafted there and then a bad summer league experience. I’m not sure if the Knicks can use the second round exception for him since he wasn’t drafted by the Knicks. Something to look into. If the Knicks sign him and try to develop he and Hukporti, it may give more flexibility with Robinson. One thing to consider; if the Knicks sign Bridges to the expected rate, and don’t extend Mitch, the Knicks will be about 25M below the second apron next year, leaving a ton of room for flexibility. Maybe they sign someone to the TPMLE this year and add a draft pick or two to the roster next year, but still leaves them with plenty of room without the worries most contending teams are dealing with.

LivingLegend wrote:Apparently James Nnaji (21) has informed Barcelona he is leaving to pursue career in NBA.

Knicks acquired his right in Kat deal.

Goodbye Mitch and hello to our new Huck/Nnaji back-up center tandem.

I joke on Mitch but seems Nnaji has 4 years of International experience and played some minutes past 2 years.

Remember his highlights looked uber athletic -- maybe our new Yves Messi

4 years international experience and not yet 21 years old! Interesting situation and we have his rights.
We can bring him in and still keep Mitch until one of them proves worthy. For that matter we can trade Mitch before the deadline next year. Let's not forget Mitch is injury prone and his max value might be now. Once next season rolls around he is extension eligible and has leverage which could lower his value. He might also get hurt again. This is up to him and his agent what he wants.
My fanboy in me wants him to stay given his tenure but I'd be ok also keeping him and let him walk IF we are really to compete next season! Obviously there are many pieces to the puzzle that need to be in place to say that. His salary and what he brings is a bargain for next season.

If either of those guys pan out it would be huge for us, we need a defensive, mobile big next to KAT. And Mitch just isn't 100% reliable.

Exciting to see who might blossom next season, we low key have alot of young players with decent potential. Kolek, MCcullar, Naj, Huk, Dadiet... gotta figure one or two of those guys will play a role for us next season.

nycericanguy wrote:Naj and Huk have a great chance to get some minutes and grow into a bigger role in the future. Mitch has 2 years left on his deal.

If either of those guys pan out it would be huge for us, we need a defensive, mobile big next to KAT. And Mitch just isn't 100% reliable.

Exciting to see who might blossom next season, we low key have alot of young players with decent potential. Kolek, MCcullar, Naj, Huk, Dadiet... gotta figure one or two of those guys will play a role for us next season.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/...

Mitch has one year left and is an UFA next summer.
He has missed 108 games over the last two seasons.
Not knowns is his value. I'd guess 15-18mil per if deemed he can play 60 games a season then playoffs.
If I had to guess we extend then promise to trade him if he wants out at some point.
If he wants to be in NOLA or willing to go test his value perhaps this is the time.
Going for a chip this year? This is a different perspective for FO to construct with.

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/knicksmuse/status/1935713090441539598?s=61&t=X2NvaBkjFz8kZPoGlCbCzA

Click here to view the Tweet

His story reads like a movie where his mom made a video and it opened doors for him.
Bit of concern he has had back surgery before last season but nothing indicates further issues. Not much on this kid written.
I'd assume his reps, coaches and scouting ahead of this move gives him a nice boost.
At best he gets a two way and spot on the bench. Worst he is in Gleague and has to prove himself there. This providing he does well enough in summer league and in camp. Long way to to before we start with "Looks like Detroit's Duran". He does.
He turns 21 this summer and looks to have some muscle on that frame so we not talking about some freak Bol Bol type that can't handle the contact.
curious if he has shown enough in Euro to warrant being a 1st round pick this year if he so came to draft. He was 31st pick and stashed so it's quite possible.
Seems like a nice story out of nowhere we can chew on and give props to Leon and perhaps Rosas on this one. Might make the draft pick dump for Mikal more palatable if he can show like a 1st round pick and we can fill up our prospect pipeline some. It's super important we get some talent in rotation on good contracts. Like iHart, we might lose some along the way but it's a good problem born from a success.

How we got his rights:

In a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks, the Charlotte Hornets traded the draft rights to James Nnaji to the Knicks. In return, the Hornets received three second-round draft picks (two from the Knicks, one from the Timberwolves) and three players: Charlie Brown Jr., Duane Washington Jr., and DaQuan Jeffries. This trade was part of a larger deal that saw Karl-Anthony Towns move from the Timberwolves to the Knicks

Knixkik wrote:Nnaji can indeed sign for the second round exception. It’s only 1.3M a year.

And that's really what it boils down to - we will need to field 14 players. With Precious likely a goner, having Nnaji take a roster space makes a lot of sense even if you are keeping Mitch around.

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/jschwartz115/status/1935764241526714664?s=61&t=X2NvaBkjFz8kZPoGlCbCzA

Click here to view the Tweet

He is like Big Mitch light. He sets really good sticky picks.

martin wrote:

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/jschwartz115/status/1935764241526714664?s=61&t=X2NvaBkjFz8kZPoGlCbCzA

Click here to view the Tweet

Nice - at least a big 7 footer with length and athleticism we can take a look at and OVERRATE REST OF SUMMER.

Panos wrote:It might just be me, but I'm not keen on JJJ. Fails my eye test. Dude moves in slow motion.

Moves in slow motion until time to go block a shot.

He's always looked very good to me with the concerns of Health and foul problems.

One thing he has is a GREAT left hand around the basket - often favors left hand over right.

Also - like Mitch something I've noticed - they tend to block shots with their left hands (which helps if most shooters are right handed).

BigDaddyG wrote:

jaydh wrote:

Panos wrote:It might just be me, but I'm not keen on JJJ. Fails my eye test. Dude moves in slow motion.

but how's his footwork?

His ability to create in ISO is almost 'OG" esque.

Man - not sure what either of you are looking at or talking about.

Jackson's footwork is outstanding - able to turn/spin and finish with either hand (left hand is GREAT).

In terms of moving slow -- I mean he's a LARGE HUMAN but he knocks down 3's and blows by guys all the time.