Lots of KAT talk which has a domino effect on Deuce and Josh whom are also eligible.
Big chess game as teams staying under the second apron.
Not gonna fault Dolan here as teams that go over are not succeeding at it.
Same time these rules don't promote repeat chip winners.
What makes OKC and SAS so interesting is they were build via the draft and rising. Knicks did not and core is not old, but they are not young. Thing is these guys in their prime are getting paid or in Jalens situation is due.
OKC has young players on the rise and are making moves to give them room to grow and get paid. Guys like Dort have to go. Guys like McCain bought in given their deals. Knicks will have to do this at some point. Also need to consider max deals to guys in their mid 30's. They don't often age well and its a death sentance.
SAS is similar to OKC but more like two eyars ago.
Ringer has Knicks 2nd with odds to win behind Spurs and ahead of OKC. Im not bothered knicks are not odds favorites given Mitchells departure and Spurs yoot is on the rise.
That teams don't repeat is kind of a thing now and I'll repeat myself here that Spurs won 60 games vs. 53 for knicks matters. Not as much as the final result! We got the chip after a historical playoff run. They did demonstrate a more consistant level over the longer season. Look, if it continues knicks are still either 2nd or 3rd odds favorites. That still respect! Old knicks got media slammed as they were not respected. They has to be earned. It has been.
Naturally the quesitons are there:
1. Is OKC gonna be as good, is Williams healthy and will Chet play up in the playoffs?
2. Will knicks stay healthy? Our 30 year olds are a year older.
3. Wemby stanima. Can he grow into what is needed. I know knicks won in five games but mostly Wemby fatique really mattered at getting those leads wittled down. If he can hold up, does he stay healthy? Chet Holdgrom has yet to do both.
4. Odds of Embiid and Lebron staying tippy top by seasons end is questionable. If they conserve them, is the chemistry there and enough? (Knicks chemistry should be further galvanized!) Lebron will distribute but can brown, Maxey and Embiid all come together as they need the ball? I think generic Lebron is a very good addition as the point forward for that group. Since we tend to doubt what we don't see that will be a development to consider.
In the age of a parity no team really has a greater than 20% chance of winning at seasons start. Knicks were always considered in the mix as they with Clevelend were the favorites. In the end thats what happend, and it was good!!!!
The obvious problem is that the cap doesn't take into account the rise in team valuations which is really where the money is, as evidenced by the Lakers resale and the going rate for an expansion team. It's not the players fault that Dolan has built a multi media empire around the Knicks and refuses to sell. The guy is still happy to increase ticket prices by 10% every year the Knicks make the playoffs. If the Warriors and Clippers are willing to go deep into the tax to field teams with a chance at a ring, no reason the Knicks shouldn't do the same.
For all the love I have for Mitchell Robinson, not resigning the guy made sense. Health concerns and the very situational way he has to be played puts a cap on his value. Drummond can play 30＋ minutes in a heartbeat, something that Robinson hasn't been capable of since 2023.
You can add in factors like NYCs higher tax rates (which effect labor not capital owners), the pressure of playing in New York, and the championship as a cherry on top for reasons why KAT and other players deserve every cent they can get.
The NBA intelligentsia has spent the.last 3 months ignoring the Knicks historic playoff run. Instead they have concentrated on the regular season record. You take out that 2-9 early January stretch and Knicks were on a 59 win season pace. You take out that stretch and Knicks don't have the resilience to come back vs Atlanta.
Regular season ＋ playoffs give the Knicks a 69- 32 record,.683 win %.
Only in the NBA do analysts value the regular season more than playoffs.
KAT deserves every bit of a max extension on his play late last season.
But there have been times even as a knick not so.
He understands very well these contracts come with enourmous pressure. He spend a few seasons hurt, grieving from loss and the effects of covid. All while under a microscope of criticism.
He is with CAA so the back channels are open. He has leverage. But also Leon will get calls about his availablity.
If KAT gets paid too much it will affect knicks ability to contend/compete. Money, injury, age, etc. We need to take care of Jalen also.
I can't fathom we break this team up now but if Leon is thinking ahead he knows what he wants to do and when it needs to be done. I don't.
Team valuations and the Apron. Its not that Dolan is short of cash but the apron has tax ramifications but more important the inablity to be flexible for the roster. I Think its good business to not announce your willing to go over. I like that players are taking discounts as now they have skin in the game. If revenue sharing is the game then both sides are involved. Shoudl players have a stake in Valuations? Thats a whole different thing. Revenue is not about profitability, its a year to year way for players to participate. They raise ratings, revenue goes up. Pretty fair.
What has also happend with this current CBA it has ended the age of player empowerement. The days of Lebron, Durant, Harden, and others conspiring for "Superfriends" and holding teams hostage is not happening. Fans don't like it.
Whats funny is for decades knicks had financial advantages not afforded other teams and we sucked at taking advantage of it. In the age of parity, in the age a very substantial payroll ceiling/cap, we then go ahead and win a chip! Ironic, don't cha think?
Love the "top ten" players lists experts come up with Wemby solidly in the top 5 and KAT absent, despite KAT finishing a net ＋36 over Wemby in a series Knicks won by 12. Totally ridiculous in this day and age that no one can explain that discrepancy.
Objectively KAT is not top 10. He a top 10 center.
Wemby did finish 3rd in MVP voting.
Brunson MVP for playoffs!!!!!
KAT had a hell of a series but that does not put him over Wemby in these rankings.
One has ring, the other does not.
EwingsGlass wrote:KAT looking skinny
He does!
Maybe he taking the Tim Duncan route to longevity with a leaner profile and continued fundamental development?
As for his money? Leon and company have my confidence. If there is no agreement (need not be made public) I'd assume we could trade him out and perhaps reboot? Not my preference defending a chip but one has to consider the odds of repeating vs. losing a major asset for no return.
Nalod wrote:Objectively KAT is not top 10. He a top 10 center.
Wemby did finish 3rd in MVP voting.
Brunson MVP for playoffs!!!!!
KAT had a hell of a series but that does not put him over Wemby in these rankings.
One has ring, the other does not.
At times, KAT looked very Jokic.
EwingsGlass wrote:Nalod wrote:Objectively KAT is not top 10. He a top 10 center.
Wemby did finish 3rd in MVP voting.
Brunson MVP for playoffs!!!!!
KAT had a hell of a series but that does not put him over Wemby in these rankings.
One has ring, the other does not.
At times, KAT looked very Jokic.
Yes. Championship teams have players that all made each other better and he really became a multi tool player. Most impressive was his defense! He really stepped up.
IM not saying he not worth the money. He deserves a max or near max deal now. BUt that has not always been the case even in his two years here. He lead the league in fouls. Outside shooting woes. Not in any MVP conversation. He stepped up. Now its a different objective with different variables.
KAT Fulfilled his potential! Im cool putting him behind Jokic and Wemby as 3rd best in NBA at this moment. Part of it is he playing with a great team also!!!! I love the guy and hope he can stay.
Sure he loves NY. Not like there is another team in the city he can go to with picks and cap space if he wants the money and still be in NYC.
Jeremy of Knicks Film School mentioned this in latest stream: You can't really just extend 1 or 2 guys and leave the last one unattended. That makes sense to me from an organizational standpoint, for players and FO. KAT, Josh, and McBride will probably be figured out all around the same time, give or take.
martin wrote:Jeremy of Knicks Film School mentioned this in latest stream: You can't really just extend 1 or 2 guys and leave the last one unattended. That makes sense to me from an organizational standpoint, for players and FO. KAT, Josh, and McBride will probably be figured out all around the same time, give or take.
and the agents will all be in the room to play the chess game.
Somewhat money, some what to stay, some want to win, some want stability.........
They got wives, Kids, etc.
Kat and his agent know what he does will have ramifications. Same for Jalen and his plans.
This is an era where no team can have its cake and eat it too. Same for players. Jalen wants to win and get paid.
I'll assume they all do. Nothing original here with that. But, not everyone can get market value, stay, and win.
I believe Leon himself recently extended his deal to stay which itself is major as he is tasked to not just extend this run but perhaps sustain a competitive roster? That is not easy given the fondness fans have for this group.
That said, its won't be easy to move Deuce, Josh hart, and perhaps Mikal for value form an emotional place. OG has massive value but if team is not confident in his health long term thats something to consider.
Current bias is a bitch!
Leon up to? If so its going to be facinationg how he handles things.
Athletic interview on Towns is cool. Mentioned the Jimmy Butler thing with Thibs, him, and Wiggins.
Jimmy blasted them both.
Wiggins got a chip.
Towns Got a chip.
Jimmy don't.
Thibs as coach and team president was perhaps not his strongest role and Jimmy did not handle that situation right.
Im happy for KAT and hope he and Knicks can come to a mutually beneficial contract.
KAT deserves his money but being on a great team as he said has liberated him. Can't put a price on that. Going forward is a different matter.
