As of now, there are really only 4 prospects I think the Knicks are choosing between: Mudiay, Russell, Winslow, and Kristaps Porwhateveritis. And in reality we will only get to choose between 3 because the sixers will take one of those off the board. If there is someone I am neglecting, please let me know, but it seems that there is a huge drop off after those. I know that Mario guy in Spain looks like a freak of nature but I am not sure if he is someone you gamble on with the 3rd pick.
But one thing seems to be certain: we won't be getting a center through the draft. I am hoping we land Monroe but I hope he plays the 4 because we will desperately need a rim protector if we are rolling out Monroe and Melo together.
I think the chances on Aldridge, Gasol, and Jordan are slim because even in the slim chance they do leave their current teams, those guys are at the point in their respective careers where they are going for a contending team rather than the Knicks.
So here is a list of guys I think we are going to go after in the offseason (some will get ruled out based on who we draft). I think all of the big name restricted FAs will get matched, so I am not including any of those:
1. Monroe (offense/rebounding, probably receives a max)
2. Wes Matthews (could be a high risk/reward option. Might not end up spending that much in FA, if he can be 75% of what he was on defense he'd be an improvement)
3. Kyle O'Quinn (not many will agree with me I'm sure but he is a rim protector and can hit 3's; he is restricted so it might cost a lot to pull him away but I think it may be worth it)
4. Asik/Rob Lopez/Koufos (Sort of the Mozgov-type bigs, defense and rebounding)
5. Brandan Wright (was a 20 and 10 guy on a per 36 basis in Dallas, doesn't bring much rim protection but his efficiency is ridiculous)
6. Thad Young/Brandon Bass (if we can't get Monroe)
7. Afflalo/Gerald Green (guard market is barren, might be the most appealing if they don't take the player option)
8. Aaron Brooks/Mo williams (if we don't get Mudiay, if we get Russel we can move him to the 2 in this case)
9. Big Al/Brook Lopez (if we don't get Monroe and they both opt out)
Who do you think we go for?
Option 2 Trade for the 16th this year and the number one that they own from brooklyn for next year. And they take Calderon
I love Devon booker's upside reminds me of klay Thompson a little bit. I think upshaw could be worth the risk as a late first and I think rakeem Christmas could come in right away and give solid minutes at PF.
I would be happy with either one of these trades assuming Calderon included
I'd still consider taking him. I know that he's probably two years away but some are saying he's the best overall prospect in the entire draft.
Yeah... and this is from Chad Ford's analysis of him on ESPN.com:
The Vesely part isn't good.
Based on what?
Russell is the better passer and shooter
Mudiay is more athletic, can break down a defense better, better defender, quicker, will not have trouble getting by his defender and will not let people just drive right by him...
Russell is going to have trouble creating his own shot in the NBA and getting into the lane, he may be the better passer but he is going to have trouble creating for others without picks...
Mudiay can find the open man, he is good once he breaks down the defense...
Stop trading assets to move bad contracts, as if there is a fucking herd of UFAs looking to get in on this shit show.
Those Boston proposals are a solid, solid pass from me (that's the nice way of putting it).
Larry Bird loves WIllie Stein.
IMO, Winslow might just be the best player on the table but the Knicks desperately need a PG or C. Russell or Mudiay, I'd take whoever is left on the board.
I trust Russell's offensive floor and Triangle fit a lot more than I do Mudiay's, but Mudiay definitely has the higher ceiling as a 2-way player. I rank Russell a hair higher just because I've seen him more and trust his competition more.
Knocks need a slot of pieces and if they are not convinced on mudiay or Winslow they they should trade down. Booker would be your future shooting guard for the next decade you pick up a few other pieces, save cap money from 4th pick to 16th and dump Calderon freeing up potentially enough money for 2 near max contracts. I can understand if you really like mudiay or someone and prefer that route, that's fine but to act like this is a crazy trade idea means you don't know much. They need so many positions filled, Christmas and upshaw could be valuable pieces
Shaun Livingston is as slow as they come for PGs and he dropped what, 20 points last night in the WCF?
Its sounding as if Russel is going to be one of the most unathletic players in the NBA and thats an over exaggeration. He's not spectacular, but he's average. Hes not quick, but he is shifty and can create space.
That being said, the argument can be made for Russel or Mudiay, and most likely the decision will be made for us when we are on the board. I have no qualms about which one we get because I am confident both will be great players in their own right.
I think Booker goes before 16, but the dude cannot create his own shot right now, he is a spot up shooter. He's being compared to klay in terms of play style and not actual ceiling. He is nowhere near the defender Klay is and he also cannot create with the ball in his hands. He is a spot up shooter.
I liked Christmas in college but there is a good reason why he isn't even projected as a 1st rounder. He is undersized and cannot shoot. He is not athletic either and cannot protect the rim. He is truly a college big and many are saying he is going to end up overseas sooner rather than later.
That is a must this off-season. Whether it's a combination of:
WCS/Monroe/FA PG
Mudiay/DeAndre Jordan/Monroe
Russell/Draymond Green/Marc Gasol
the last two are unlikely. If we don't have big men, playing these games are a waste of time. I probably wont watch the Knicks this season based on last night but still hope they do well. But too much heartache. I'm jumping ship.
IT's beyond toxic at this point. Bravo NY media, you've made your mark. Keep on fighting the good fight by shitting all over everything Knicks all because Dolan won't roll out fresh fruit on media day. Really, that's what this has always been about...if you believe it's about wins and losses I have a bridge to sell you.
Stop listening to Frank Isola and SAS and just sit back wait to see what happens..
Fuck off.
IT's beyond toxic at this point. Bravo NY media, you've made your mark. Keep on fighting the good fight by shitting all over everything Knicks all because Dolan won't roll out fresh fruit on media day. Really, that's what this has always been about...if you believe it's about wins and losses I have a bridge to sell you.
Of course that is what it is about...
The NY media loved Walsh and he was horrible with the Knicks, they loved him because he basically told them everything...
Now Phil is here and there are no leaks none of them have an inside source and they are all bitter, especially Frank Isola...he is no access that is why he continuously writes the same crap...he is spewing how Phil did not do anything at the combine....really? he met with almost all of the prospects...
It is the same thing with Woj, he writes complimentary pieces on the teams that give him information and rips the teams that gives him no access...notice he never breaks Knicks news never...
Fuck off.
Lol it is the same thing after Lin was not matched, fans freaked out and said they were done with this team...then they went on to win 54 games...
Apparently the Knicks should have kept the "core" together because the Knicks could be as good as the Hawks if they did. Isola's words...not mine. The hawks did it why not the Knicks? Jackson just wrecked this team and got nothing to show for it...his words..
Of course he did
That being said... I can't control that. He's the owner. The Knicks are my team. I am going to hope for the best and get whatever enjoyment out of it that I can. That's what I can control.
I wish we could just get some objective coverage of the team. I don't need to be reminded that Dolan likes Isiah anymore.
THERE WAS NO REASON TO WIN THOSE GAMES. 0, nada, not one reason. For those saying they're playing for their careers...No one is going to judge them on two games. Not to mention they contracts.
They stunk it up all season long and have the audacity to play like all stars and go balls out on two games that the team actually needed them to lose. The lottery was indicative of the stupidity that played out in the last two games. The Knicks brought it on themselves.
And most knicks fans wanted Russel or Mudiay anyway so you should be happy but for those who clearly disagree don't say the Knicks couldn't have put themselves in a better position last night.
We're getting agreat player.
Apparently the Knicks should have kept the "core" together because the Knicks could be as good as the Hawks if they did. Isola's words...not mine. The hawks did it why not the Knicks? Jackson just wrecked this team and got nothing to show for it...his words..
What core???????
Chandler, who quit on the team the year before?
Shump, who showed tiny increments of improvement in 3 years?
JR Smith? No, seriously was part of the core?
Isola seriously needs a gigantic bag of STFU.
Every team.
It's weird.
The Knicks, on the other hand, are hated for the reason Dan says - their media policies for the most part. That's why sad little Frank Isola has done nothing but churn out hit pieces for a decade. And that's not to say that there aren't a million things to criticize the Knicks for, but he has such an obvious personal bias because of his hatred for the way MSG handles the media.
Then there was this article on Woj not all that long ago :
The article is basically how he plays nice with agents/teams that give him information, and doesn't play as nice to those who keep information away from him.
woj article - ( New Window )
Anyways, as for the Knicks, you give me either PG and I'm happy. I pray the Lakers take Okafor or the sixers draft KP.
I wouldn't mind us throwing $40M+ at Ajincas, I think he can be a Hassan Whiteside type signing.
--Chandler deal: Chandler was unhappy here, and disappeared for all playoff games. Plus he is now an UFA. So they gave up one year of Chandler and got in return Calderon, Greek Kid 2, and Early. Much too early to judge the kids and Calderon, when healthy is a quality combo guard. Could he have gotten more, I doubt it -- if he could have he would have. Contrary to Frank Isola, he's not stupid.
--Smith/Shumpert for well, nothing really. But Smith is off the payroll and is no longer a distraction. Smith had not played well for the Knicks since his knee injury (even he said he went out too much) and Shumpert was usually hurt when with the Knicks. So yes, playing with Lebron, for half a year, they have done well. I'd still do that deal.
Now with the fourth pick in the draft, and massive cap space, let's see what Jackson does.
Every team.
It's weird.
I never said there's an anti NYG or Yankee or Rangers bias from the local media. And there isn't. There was an anti coughlin agenda back in 2004-2007 but that's passed.
There is clearly an anti Dolan msg agenda and since Dolan is an easy target it's hard to argue but at times it's over the top ridiculous.
It doesn't even bother me. Rarely do I ever sit down and read an article about my team. The only material I'll read is Zach Lowes, and that's because he's just so far ahead of everyone else it's silly. I used to read some of Mike Garafolo's stuff too when he covered the Giants.