Pistons free agent center Greg Monroe said Sunday he will meet with five teams this week, including the Knicks, and said he wants to play for a club ready to win. He also seemed to be campaigning to stay in his hometown.
Monroe, who is from Louisiana, said at his basketball clinic in New Orleans hes looking for a two-year deal with an opt-out after one season to take advantage of the coming rise of the salary cap.
According to the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate, Monroe will speak with the Knicks, Celtics, Bucks, and Blazers with the Pistons out of the picture. Free agency begins Wednesday.
Im looking to be with a team thats ready to win, Monroe told the newspaper. Hopefully it will be a team where Im the missing piece.-NYPOST
Meanwhile, USA Today reports that the Mavericks, Lakers, and Knicks will join the Clippers in holding meetings with Jordan, while the Bucks unfortunately for the were unable to pique the big man's interest.
The 26-year-old free agent center who spent his first seven seasons with the Clippers is clearly giving serious thought to changing jerseys, as three people with knowledge of his situation said he is expected to meet with at least four teams the Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks in the first few days of free agency. The meetings are expected to take place in the Los Angeles office where Jordan's representatives, Dan Fegan and Happy Walters of Relativity Sports, are based. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the process.
NJ.com
Jeremy Lin, who was the most celebrated athlete in New York in 2011 when he became a surprise starter with the Knicks and ignited "Linsanity," could be returning to New York during free agency.
The point guard, who, while playing for the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, hasn't achieved the success he had in New York, could be a Knicks target as they look for inexpensive, short-term players to form a bridge to the future during a total rebuilding of the organization.
When he returned to the Garden with the Lakers in April, Lin played 24 minutes and scored just four points in a 92-80 loss.
"Every time I come back, I always have great memories," Lin said then. "I remember those great times. I'm always thankful. Coming back to New York with these fans at the Garden, that was very special to me and I'll always cherish that."
Caron Butler
After his release from the Milwaukee Bucks before July 1, Caron Butler has emerged as a candidate for the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs, a league source told RealGM.
The Lakers and New York Knicks also expect to make an inquiry on Butler, a 13-year NBA veteran who has averaged 14.3 points and 5.1 rebounds for his career.
David Aldridge & #10004;@daldridgetnt
An under the radar free agent will be Dallas' Al-Faroqu Aminu. Sked to visit NYK, BOS, POR, TOR & NOP, w/Mavs still in mix.
Bucks writer Gery Woelfel reported on Saturday that Knight "will sign a five-year, $70 million contract with the Suns." That would apparently leave Bledsoe as the odd-man out in the Suns' backcourt, but he should have plenty of trade value despite the four years and $57 million remaining on his contract.
Related: Brandon Knight
Jun 28 - 11:44 PM
A few other teams showed interest in White but he opted to play for L.A., whose executives have reportedly gained his trust in recent weeks. He hopes to earn a contract after Summer League but it's far from certain that the 24-year-old will be on an active NBA roster when the season starts.
Related: Clippers
Source: Ben Bolch on Twitter Jun 28 - 7:16 PM
The Rockets could have difficulties in trying to re-sign Josh Smith as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
According to Sam Amico of Fox Sports, Kevin Love has told the Cavaliers that he plans on returning to Cleveland next season.
Lastly, Chicago forward Jimmy Butler hopes to take his talents elsewhere and take advantage of the new television deal after his career year coincided with Tom Thibodeaus firing and Derrick Roses chemistry issues. Although Butler wants to sign a one-year deal with the Lakers, according to a league source familiar with his thinking, the Bulls are expected to match any offer for the restricted free agent.
Zinger
Monroe
Melo
Butler
Grant
So we know we are meeting with Monroe, West, Jordan, Aminu, and I guess aldridge? Is that it so far. FA does basically start tomorrow night.
Aminu is the type of UFA we should pursue. He has upside vis a vis expected salary (though I have no idea what that will be). Guy like Monroe and Danny Green will struggle to be worth more than their contract. Aminu is a very good rebounder and defender. Horrible from midrange. Has had 2 seasons at 35% from 3, and 3 seasons at <15%. Interestingly the 3 bad seasons were in NO where he took <50 per season, whereas the two good seasons he was at 143 and 124 3 attempts, respectively.
Green scares me. Very good in SAS, but how will he be outside of the best environment ever?
Butler's trade value is limited because he's probably going for a 1+1 wherever he ends up. He is a guy who would command a max deal under the new TV $$ cap.
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Now. His value will never be higher. He and rose do not get along together. However the bulls just can't let him go for nothing. The bulls aren't competing against the cavs any time soon.... so I rather start building for their stony davis run.
Butler's trade value is limited because he's probably going for a 1+1 wherever he ends up. He is a guy who would command a max deal under the new TV $$ cap.
They should explore a sign and trade. Or something. Trade him to the Lakers now...haha
They're just looking at the crappy end of the free agent list and connecting the dots as stopgaps for the knicks.
Caron Butler? Really?
Zinger
Monroe
Melo
Butler
Grant
Butler would be a great signing. Grant and Butler backcourt would be one of the best defensively.
I was thinking about this and I really think NO has a solid shot to sign him. Hometown team and he'd be a perfect compliment to Anthony Davis. Davis can guard PF's, block, and defend the PnR while Monroe can guard the centers. Offensively it works too. There was a SI article a few weeks ago that mentioned that NO may be one of the few teams where he works perfectly.
However, as of now they're slated to only have around 7-10 million in cap space which would not be enough to sign him outright unless he's willing to take a discount. They would have to sign and trade for him I believe which, as we saw with the Melo Bulls situation last year, could be an issue.
I think them and perhaps Boston could be threats. Wonder who the other teams are.
If I'm the Knicks, I sign Butler to a 1+1 deal on Day 1 knowing Chicago will match. Force Chicago's hand and ensure Butler hits the market next season.
One of the greatest rebounders ever and great defensively, but he couldn't hit FTs, had 0 post game, and no outside shot. We're talking about a HOF player that only averaged double digit points once in his career. Considering he averaged almost 5 offensive rebounds/game, I'm going to assume most of his 7.3 pts/game came on put-backs (and he actually averaged 5.5 ORB/game and only 5.2 pts/game with CHI).
It's interesting that he has more success guarding the 2 than the 4. But on a team that has Melo, two rookies, and god knows what else, a real stopper would be a major add.
Carmelo Anthony said he is excited about Porzingis and is meeting with him today and plans to get a little workout in as well with him...
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They would have to move either Gordon, Anderson, or Evans to do it.
Can Cleveland still offer that Brendan Haywood expiring? Because I think Tyreke Evans is exactly the type of player they want coming off the bench to spell Kyrie.
Sorry, I was looking at the wrong stat (volume) and remembering when he was on my fantasy team and giving me 3s, ST, BL, and Reb. I was too optimistic about his 3s.
Still, lock down defender, very strong SF rebounder (career 8.6/36 mins), and not entirely useless offensively. A reasonable alternative at (guessing) 15/3 to paying Green or Matthews 50/4.
Yeah, don't wanna touch Aminu with a 10 foot pole.
Marketing ploys.
Lin only makes sense if you dump calderon. No need for Calderon, Grant, and Lin (and Galloway if you want to call him a PG).
Can Cleveland still offer that Brendan Haywood expiring? Because I think Tyreke Evans is exactly the type of player they want coming off the bench to spell Kyrie.
Technically yes, but I think I read a projection that paying someone that $10 million would likely push Cleveland's tax bill from low $20s to $50-55 million. Add in the salary itself and you're talking about paying $40-45 million cash for Evans or whoever else they might trade for. I dont see anyone they could get for Haywood's option contract as being worth that money to an owner.
Either way I think if they really wanted Monroe I don't think it would be hard for him. What else is Cleveland going to get with that Haywood expiring? They are loaded with bigs and they learned how useless it is to have 3 point shooters if you only have 1 guy who can create shots on the floor. Evans is very flawed but he can still get buckets and make plays despite his lack of 3 point shooting. What other options does Cleveland have with the expiring? I'm sure NO would get rid of him if they got an offer and he only has 2 years left and its not like Cleveland can add major free agents over the next 3 years anyways.
10:09am - 29 Jun 15
10:09am - 29 Jun 15
Vince returns!!!!
So if you didnt have a source on sportscenter how do you have a source half hour later?
Sources say teams could not find workable trade framework, but Nets came away encouraged they'll ultimately find trade taker for J-Johnson
lol. I like how Memphis plays ball and JJ in a vacuum could help them out...but not at that cost
I always want guys who are a decent bet to outplay their salary. The superstars are the best of that group, since they're not getting a "fair" salary due to the max contract rule. Im kind of blech on guys like Monroe, Matthews, and Green if you're giving them deals that they probably cant outperform. So get some of the guys in the next tiers, so long as they are projectable.
Having Calderon on the roster is almost like having Pau on the roster as a recruiter...
Once Marc resigns with Memphis or signs somewhere else they are not going to stretch or trade Calderon..
Carmelo Anthony said he is excited about Porzingis and is meeting with him today and plans to get a little workout in as well with him... Link - ( New Window )
Agree that MG is not the brightest bulb but Melo never refuted what SAS said-he never called him out on it! Now Melo is doing damage control because FAs are not going to want to come to a house divided!
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Mike Greenburg is a moron is living on SAS's word...
Carmelo Anthony said he is excited about Porzingis and is meeting with him today and plans to get a little workout in as well with him... Link - ( New Window )
Agree that MG is not the brightest bulb but Melo never refuted what SAS said-he never called him out on it! Now Melo is doing damage control because FAs are not going to want to come to a house divided!
So him saying he never said anything and basically stop listening to the media is not refuting it? him saying he is going to meet with Porzingis today is not refuting it?
Carl we always discuss all nba news, not sure why it bothers you so much. Most of this news can effect the knicks one way or another.
Melo's got a big contract and isn't going anywhere soon. His job now should be talking guys into coming to play with him.
If I'm Phil, I try selling Gasol (or Aldridge) on how poor the East is. Instead of having to go through SA and GS and Hou and OKC and on and on, all you really have to go through in the East is Cleveland. Add a 3rd piece to Gasol/Melo and you're a top 3-4 seed in the East.
You mean OKC? I'm pretty sure he is restricted though is he not?
Detroit was always a potential suitor but hard to see that happening now-- their were rumors mid season before the Jackson deal.
I hope the nets just compete for the usual 5-8 seed this year and let him expire--- so if they trade him it should be mid season to a contender looking for rental.
As for hyper cheap depth, it rarely works. And my idea is more to sign some depth guys and shoot for home runs. Maybe Aminu and Biyambo propel us to the playoffs, or bring back an awesome return from a contender at the deadline.
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In comment 12347430 nygiants16 said:
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Mike Greenburg is a moron is living on SAS's word...
Carmelo Anthony said he is excited about Porzingis and is meeting with him today and plans to get a little workout in as well with him... Link - ( New Window )
Agree that MG is not the brightest bulb but Melo never refuted what SAS said-he never called him out on it! Now Melo is doing damage control because FAs are not going to want to come to a house divided!
So him saying he never said anything and basically stop listening to the media is not refuting it? him saying he is going to meet with Porzingis today is not refuting it?
No,it's not! He's been using SAS as his mouthpiece forever because this way the words did not come directly from his mouth. Thus, it's easy for him to refute what was "allegedly" said because he denies he said it. We've played this game before. Why do you think he's working out w/KP today! Positive media 2 days before FA. He knows he shot himself in the foot & now is sending out the message all is right in Knicks Land!
Yeah people like to ignore this...i wouldnt be surprised if the only people that are really in his circle, are Lala, his son and then his NBA friends, i would be surprised if he has entourage at this stage like he used to...
Assuming LA goes to the Spurs, I think the top 3 of the west is going to be GSW, OKC, and SAS in some order.
As for hyper cheap depth, it rarely works. And my idea is more to sign some depth guys and shoot for home runs. Maybe Aminu and Biyambo propel us to the playoffs, or bring back an awesome return from a contender at the deadline.
Biyambo sucks.
So him saying he never said anything and basically stop listening to the media is not refuting it? him saying he is going to meet with Porzingis today is not refuting it?
No,it's not! He's been using SAS as his mouthpiece forever because this way the words did not come directly from his mouth. Thus, it's easy for him to refute what was "allegedly" said because he denies he said it. We've played this game before. Why do you think he's working out w/KP today! Positive media 2 days before FA. He knows he shot himself in the foot & now is sending out the message all is right in Knicks Land!
and people like you are the reason SAS and Isola have jobs...your gullible and believe anything you hear in the media and immediately kill the player...
Sorry i do not trust SAS and Isola's "sources"
When Melo himself says he is excited about the pick and is excited to meet him today, i will take his word for it rather than SAS's sources...
You get off with a warning this time Italian. Work? C'mon man.
Name the one story he has been right about when it comes to Melo..
and if he is Melo's mouthpiece he sure portrays Melo as a selfish money hungry player..why would Melo want that? usually a mouthpiece talks good about that player, that is the whole point of a mouth piece..
Name the one story he has been right about when it comes to Melo..
Last year I am pretty sure he said Melo has no chance of staying in NY.
So its likely both people are right... 1) melo was frustrated for a gut reaction... 2) Melo is happy with the pick and moving forward with the kid.
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how come he has never ever broken anything when it comes to Melo?
Name the one story he has been right about when it comes to Melo..
Last year I am pretty sure he said Melo has no chance of staying in NY.
Yeah then he said well Melo really lvoes his money so he will stay in New York for the money if he stays...
If I am Melo why would i want that guy being my mouthpiece?
So its likely both people are right... 1) melo was frustrated for a gut reaction... 2) Melo is happy with the pick and moving forward with the kid.
I have no disagreement with this but both SAS and Isola said Melo was so mad that he felt betrayed by the Knicks and SAS said he was contemplating asking for a trade...
So if that is the case both guys overexaggerated for clicks and to get a story out...so either way they made up a story to get clicks
Biyambo sucks.
Does he? He's 22 -- two years younger than our new rookie PG -- and from the Congo, ie raw as shit, and he's been in a bad organization. Last year his PER was 15.2 and his WS/48 was .156. Those are decidedly un-sucky numbers. While he played only 19.4 mpg, there is a lot of evidence that stats scale up. Per 36 minutes, he would have been good for 8.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.9 blocks. Crappy assist and FT% #s hurt especially if he's expected to do some triangle garbage.
His advanced stats PER & WS/48 have improved each year. Bismack is on the rise.
Also it was reported Knicks told Porzingis they were going to draft him at his workout with the Knicks, which Melo attended, so you dont think he knew what the Knicks were going to do beforehand?
Melo ha sbeen at the practice facility rehabbing, you dont think him and Phil talk or him and Mills talk?
I highly highly doubt he was surprised by the pick...
I bet it's as simple as him having a reaction to the pick like the fans in attendance did. That's normal. What's not fair is that that somehow gets reported as him having a temper tantrum. and possibly wanting out. That's the kind of BS that gets tiresome and yet is exceedingly common.
But like I said, I feel like it's his responsibility to use a firm hand on anyone who claims to speak for or with him.
-Celtics
-Knicks
-Bucks
-Lakers
-Blazers
No mention of NO. 4 of those 5 teams can offer him a max outright and the Bucks can if they just get rid of 1-2 small contracts.
Monroe to the Bucks could be a nice fit. A lot of young, defensive players already and the addition of him and the return of Parker should help with the offense.
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Biyambo sucks.
Does he? He's 22 -- two years younger than our new rookie PG -- and from the Congo, ie raw as shit, and he's been in a bad organization. Last year his PER was 15.2 and his WS/48 was .156. Those are decidedly un-sucky numbers. While he played only 19.4 mpg, there is a lot of evidence that stats scale up. Per 36 minutes, he would have been good for 8.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.9 blocks. Crappy assist and FT% #s hurt especially if he's expected to do some triangle garbage.
His advanced stats PER & WS/48 have improved each year. Bismack is on the rise.
Look, there's a contract value where he makes sense. He can play defense and rebound and block shots. But he sucks with the basketball in his hands. Can't pass. Can't shoot. Can't dribble. He'll never be a good offensive player. He's only a role player. Which is fine, but I was really reacting to the notion that he might "propel" the knicks anywhere. He's too one dimensional to be anything but a part timer. He's not playing for a good team at crunch time, probably ever. He fucks up the spacing on the floor because you don't even need to pretend to guard him.
On the other hand, he doesn't fit the triangle really well, and would be a bad fit if we went after Monroe.
The key to winning free agency is getting the best deals not necessarily the best players. I'd be hesitant to give tons of money to older players that don't have a future a few years down the line with this team (e.g. Danny green and Wes Matthews). If Biyombo gets a deal like 4 years for $30M, that's a no brained in my opinion.
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In comment 12347495 nygiants16 said:
So him saying he never said anything and basically stop listening to the media is not refuting it? him saying he is going to meet with Porzingis today is not refuting it?
No,it's not! He's been using SAS as his mouthpiece forever because this way the words did not come directly from his mouth. Thus, it's easy for him to refute what was "allegedly" said because he denies he said it. We've played this game before. Why do you think he's working out w/KP today! Positive media 2 days before FA. He knows he shot himself in the foot & now is sending out the message all is right in Knicks Land!
and people like you are the reason SAS and Isola have jobs...your gullible and believe anything you hear in the media and immediately kill the player...
Sorry i do not trust SAS and Isola's "sources"
When Melo himself says he is excited about the pick and is excited to meet him today, i will take his word for it rather than SAS's sources...
Look, I'm not going to get into a spitting match w/you because at the end of the day, we're both Knicks fans who want the best, especially the next few weeks, for the team.
You can believe what you want, I'm certainly not going to change your mind nor you mine. Today will be a wonderful photo op as the present & future of the Knicks come together! Then let's hope that Melo does have Star-Power & can convince some of the better FAs to join him!
P.S. I agree w/you about Isola-his personal agenda against the Knicks is old & tiresome!
Portand looks like it's in a rebuild so I don't know how attractive that situation is. They have a bunch of young guys on rookie contracts like Leonard, Plumlee and now Vonleh, and they are saying that if Aldridge goes to the Spurs, they'd do a sign and trade with Portland to send splitter over there, so they wouldn't need to give him in that situation.
The Lakers seem like an awful fit. Randle/Monroe front court would be worse than the Bucks because Randle can't provide spacing or defense.
I'm not even worried about the Celtics. It's an unattractive situation they set up for themselves.
How the Knicks are nowadays no one knows what they are doing, there are no leaks..
Yeah that's cuz it's 1 year and they are stacked in the front court. In 2 years, an $8M salary equates to less than 1/10th of the salary. Paying a defensive force that plays 20-24 minutes a game that percentage of the cap is a solid deal.
This is a point I've been trying to get across, but you said it better. Get some guys on good contracts and you have assets and flexibility. Get the best player you can regardless of price and you have albatrosses.
Play one year on a max deal then opt out for a big raise. Could this become a trend in these negotiations for this crop of free agents?
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Yeah that's cuz it's 1 year and they are stacked in the front court. In 2 years, an $8M salary equates to less than 1/10th of the salary. Paying a defensive force that plays 20-24 minutes a game that percentage of the cap is a solid deal.
I am glad you are not handing out contracts.
Every single time there is a fast break the guard fouls..
I dont think we have heard anything about Aldridge's schedule either...I wonder if teams come to him like Deandre is doing or if he is going to go visit teams like Melo did...
That would be even better. I mean he is 22 years old. Debate Jordan averages 7 points and 7 rebounds a game at that age. His PER was 14.8 and his defensive rating was 105.
Biyombo had a PER of 15.2 and defensive rating of 99. 99! That's crazy! That's neary a kawhi-level rating. And plus he hasn't played anywhere near the amount of basketball Jordan has so there's hope that he will improve significantly over the next few years. He's just as offensively inept and a better FT shooter as Jordan. Having him on a deal 1/3 of what DJ is going to receive will be an absolute steal.
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I thought they would at least try, meet with him and then they get a no and move on...didnt expect the Knicks to give up already, unless they have already been told no...
Ehh oh well...
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Giantsfan44, again i like Bismack, and would welcome us signing him. My issue was that he is not worth 8 mill. I think he could be had for a 4/20 type deal. Maybe a bit more. Like id be thrilled if we added Monroe, Bismack, and Afflalo. I know the money prolly would be just a tad short, but you get the idea.
I'm not disagreeing with any of those points, and of course he is worse than Jordan on offense, but he is a better FT shooter, at least to the point where its not statistically sound to foul him. Looking at all the recent contending teams, there is always a guy that fits his description (Ezeli, Koufos, Baynes, Splitter, Birdman, etc.). We can go and argue how he is worse on offense than any of those guys but his defensive ratings and offensive rebounding rates ranks up with the best of those guys. In 2 years, a $6 million salary will be half what those guys made on a "cap inflation adjusted basis", if you will.
Also, when did we start saying "rim protection", which sounds vaguely sexual?
Greg Monroe is their best bet and I think he'll have better offers.
Or it could be that Al Jefferson picked up his option, they traded for Hawes, drafted Kaminsky, and could not find a taker for Zeller and Marvin Williams and now they have $30 million tied up into frontcourt players and it wouldn't make anymore sense to pay $5 million more for a guy who wouldn't fit their rotation...
Hornets situation is a little weird. AlJeff, Kaminsky, Zeller, Hawes, and Starvin' Marvin Williams all have guaranteed money from the MJs.
Greg Monroe is their best bet and I think he'll have better offers.
This isn't exactly the summer of 2010 anyway. Monroe was always the guy that's most likely to change teams, and it's not like everyone's in agreement that he's a franchise cornerstone that you HAVE to have. There may not be any true differencemakers in this crop.
Greg Monroe is their best bet and I think he'll have better offers.
A pessimistic view, but it's basically where I am too.
If they can't sign Aldrige, Love, Gasol or Monroe who are they going to pay money to?
And if they can't get anyone this summer why would next summer be any better?
Also it was reported Knicks told Porzingis they were going to draft him at his workout with the Knicks, which Melo attended, so you dont think he knew what the Knicks were going to do beforehand?
Melo ha sbeen at the practice facility rehabbing, you dont think him and Phil talk or him and Mills talk?
I highly highly doubt he was surprised by the pick...
Speaking of Lala... did anyone watch this week's episode of Power? Melo is a lucky man!
If they can't sign Aldrige, Love, Gasol or Monroe who are they going to pay money to?
And if they can't get anyone this summer why would next summer be any better?
Arent you a nets fan?
there are still plenty of talented players on the market...
David West is not a bad stop gap...
Wesley Matthews, Danny Green, Aaron Affalo, Jae Crowder, Demarre Carroll, Milsap, there are plenty of names on the FA market ..
The biggest difference between 2010 and now the Knicks already have their superstar on the roster, now they have to put a good team around him...
If they can't sign Aldrige, Love, Gasol or Monroe who are they going to pay money to?
And if they can't get anyone this summer why would next summer be any better?
It's probably better to start small anyway, IMO. If you want to make the team attractive to free agents, the first step is convincing people you actually have a plan instead of just throwing money around. Create something that looks like a basketball team and then shop for the missing pieces.
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The problem for the knicks is they have an entire roster to fill, an aging superstar who will be difficult to trade and a ton of money to spend.
If they can't sign Aldrige, Love, Gasol or Monroe who are they going to pay money to?
And if they can't get anyone this summer why would next summer be any better?
Arent you a nets fan?
there are still plenty of talented players on the market...
David West is not a bad stop gap...
Wesley Matthews, Danny Green, Aaron Affalo, Jae Crowder, Demarre Carroll, Milsap, there are plenty of names on the FA market ..
The biggest difference between 2010 and now the Knicks already have their superstar on the roster, now they have to put a good team around him...
That list is basically a whose who of guys who are going to get paid 10+ mil to be an average starter.
Plus who here has said the Knicks are going to sign gasol, aldridge, Jordan, or Love?
Pretty sure every Knicks fan on this site has said it is long shot for those guys but can still build a pretty good team for next year....
Signing all those guys is going to take up cap space and make the knicks a 28 win team.
Monroe is very important for them.
Signing all those guys is going to take up cap space and make the knicks a 28 win team.
Monroe is very important for them.
you do realize the Knicks will still have 20-25 million to spend next year right?
you do realize the Knicks will still have 20-25 million to spend next year right?
And they dont have a #1 next season. So a 28 win team isnt bad if they're moving in a direction where they can take a leap the next season with a max FA and the development of Porz.
So their going to max out Love and Thompson?
They need a prized free agent. I'm counting Monroe as one. If not, Demaree Carrol, Robin Lopez, etc these guys aren't helping the knicks land free agents down the line.
Just my opinion but if they can't get Monroe I think they're pretty screwed moving forward.
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The Cavaliers plan to extend Love a five-year maximum contract worth at least $110 million, according to Windhorst.
So their going to max out Love and Thompson?
I wonder how this works. Tristian Thompson and LeBron share an agent, and Lebron has been touting Thompson as a guy who should be a Cav for life.
If love got that deal, it's because LeBron okayed it.
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you do realize the Knicks will still have 20-25 million to spend next year right?
And they dont have a #1 next season. So a 28 win team isnt bad if they're moving in a direction where they can take a leap the next season with a max FA and the development of Porz.
No one knows how many gmaes they are going to win next year...
I think we all can agree they ar enot going to be competing for a championship...
but the goal should be playoffs and then go into next off season with a max slot hopefully and Porzingis and Grant improving another year...
Cleveland is going to have to buy a championship. Lebron and Love are going to get huge contract. They are going to have to pay TT. They are paying Kyrie over 15 million soon. And they need to fill out SG and bench spots.
Look, I said I was indifferent about him. If the deal was $5-7 million I would do it. If it was $9-10 million I wouldn't do it. It all depends on the deal. I forgot who said it (Deej?), but if you can give him a deal he can outperform, its a great move, especially when the cap is rising these next few years. Could a guy who didn't receive proper basketball training until he was 16 years old improve? I wouldn't bet against it.
And of course he has his flaws and thats why Charlotte decided to move on from him. But lets not act like Charlotte has been making smart, calculated moves all along. For one, they passed up on Winslow to get Kaminsky, so that shows that either 1.) They aren't well managed or 2.) If they felt that Kaminsky was better than Winslow, than they probably think hes going to be a better option at center than Zeller or Biyombo, so then theres no point in keeping Biyombo if they really think Frank is that good.
In addition, they traded a rookie who they had under contract for possibly for 4 more years for a wing that can easily bolt after 1 year. I'm not too high on Vonleh even being an IU fan, but how many times did a rookie vastly underperform his first year only to improve in subsequent years (McLemore, Henson, Harris, KCP, Porter just off the top of my head). So I don't think Charlotte's intention to let him walk necessarily means that he is a bust thats never gonna amount to anything.
The "wait for new TV money" thing doesnt make sense for some guys. Sure, for an allstar you want the higher max. And for guys getting squeezed out of a market because there isnt enough available UFA money just yet.
But wtf are the expectations of a guy like Monroe? If he gets a max it is because the cap is going up next season. He's not suddenly going to be worth $22+ million next year. He should take his 60/4 with an opt out and be happy and protected from injury. Whereas someone like Butler should wait.
ODB i am not arguing the Knicks might get shut out because shit they might, they might sign a bunch of role players to fill out the roster and try again next off season...
But i am willing to bet you do not think the Knicks re going to sign anyone because deep down your hoping the Knicks do not sign anyone right?
What does LeBron care about Thompson's representation? He may want TT back, but I cant picture it being because they share an agent.
all 4 will not be on the roster next year.
What does LeBron care about Thompson's representation? He may want TT back, but I cant picture it being because they share an agent.
Thompson and Lebron are very close, it is more than just shring the same agent, he wants Thompson back
all 4 will not be on the roster next year.
You wonder if they will trade Love to Boston for smart/bradley. Boston has 1,000 guards again. Smart and Bradley would be valuable pickups for Cleveland.
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many of these guys are going to sign the 2 year deal with the opt out next year to tap into the new TV money. Next Summer could be the craziest FA signing period in the history of professional sports.
The "wait for new TV money" thing doesnt make sense for some guys. Sure, for an allstar you want the higher max. And for guys getting squeezed out of a market because there isnt enough available UFA money just yet.
But wtf are the expectations of a guy like Monroe? If he gets a max it is because the cap is going up next season. He's not suddenly going to be worth $22+ million next year. He should take his 60/4 with an opt out and be happy and protected from injury. Whereas someone like Butler should wait.
That's true, but it seems like they want to test the odds. Why else would Monroe say he wants to sign a 2 year deal with the player option? I am wondering how many teams are going to basically say that's nice that you want that, but you either sign the 4 year $60 million or you can take a hike.
Smart has upside. Bradley does not. But both would make Cleveland instantly better. And they will still have Thomas, Turner, Rozier, and the other guy they just drafted.
He may make sense on a 1+1 to a team that is trying to compete next season, but for the Knicks a 1+1 is just a hassle. We're building for 2016-17.
Kyrie/Smart
Bradley/Crowder
Lebron
TT/Varejao
Mozgov
Thats a solid 8 man playoff rotation for Cleveland.
He may make sense on a 1+1 to a team that is trying to compete next season, but for the Knicks a 1+1 is just a hassle. We're building for 2016-17.
I agree with you. I am just saying if a team puts effort into signing a guy and wants to lock him up long term and he says I want the 1+1 just to take the chance at a bigger payday it could be interesting to see who blinks.
In the case of Monroe... he's 25 years old and just entering what is considered the prime years of his career. I wouldn't want to be the team that he uses to enhance his market value only to watch him walk next year.
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the value proposition really changes with the opt out. It's one thing to lock down Monroe for 60/4 -- you have a guy to build around. May be worth it, may not. Maybe you end up trading him. Make it a 1+1. Then you cant structure things around having a piece in place. You cant fully commit to guys that play well with Monroe. And you only have him for 2016-17 if he suck nuts.
He may make sense on a 1+1 to a team that is trying to compete next season, but for the Knicks a 1+1 is just a hassle. We're building for 2016-17.
I agree with you. I am just saying if a team puts effort into signing a guy and wants to lock him up long term and he says I want the 1+1 just to take the chance at a bigger payday it could be interesting to see who blinks.
In the case of Monroe... he's 25 years old and just entering what is considered the prime years of his career. I wouldn't want to be the team that he uses to enhance his market value only to watch him walk next year.
why? what is lost in that situation? Sure, you'd prefer stability but it's unlikely that you'd regret signing him even for a short time because he'd be extremely motivated. The guy that signs him to a 4 year -80 M deal after his one and done year is taking a much bigger risk that he pulls an Eddy Curry.
Agree with that. Don't want to work with the hassle of having to re-sign him for more next year, which could tie up the salary cap we were planning on using to fill out the rest of our roster.
But I'll say it again. What other team would bend over backwards for Monroe? I see him as a fit in NY because they need a low post passer and someone besides Melo that can get you a basket if you gave the rock to him in the post.
Portland looks like its preparing for a complete rebuild with the trade for Plumlee and Vonleh, and if they get back Splitter in a sign and trade for Aldridge, then theres no room for Monroe. Plus, Portland lives off a run and gun system which is why I think leonard is a better fit as a 40% 3 point shooter than Monroe.
A Randle/Monroe or Parker/Monroe doesn't make sense on defense for either the Lakers or the Bucks. I can't see Milwaukee clearing out cap space when Jason Kidd is trying to build a "positionless" basketball system where there guys can constantly switch from the 1-4 and still be fine on defense. Monroe is the antithesis of that.
That leaves Boston. I don't see Ainge in a position where he is going to give Monroe whatever he wants because he struck out on Cousins and Love. He has Zeller, Sully, and olynk who are all younger than Monroe. Monroe will help them win 3 or 4 more games, and I don't think they are looking for a quick fix to move up 1 seed. If anything, they are realizing that making the playoffs doesn't really get them anywhere because they are a roster full of good role players, and it doesn't look like next years Nets pick is going to be what everyone thought it would be 2 years ago.
Lebron has the owner and the franchise by the balls, he wields as much power as conceivably possible and is a master at leveraging it within this franchise. He is going to force Dan Gilbert to spend into the luxury tax, and Gilbert has the pockets to do it. The cap couldn't be rising at a better time for them. One of the top 3-4 reasons why Lebron left Miami in the first place was the cheapness of Micky Arison and his avoidance of going deep into the tax despite the hundreds of millions of dollars that Lebrons presence helped the franchise value. It wasn't the top reason but it was a major reason, and I couldn't be more positive that paying luxury tax was a condition he laid out before Dan Gilbert as a promise to secure his signing. And he is in a position to make Dan Gilbert pay for not meeting that promise, even if no one actually expects him to leave, they won't call his bluff
Grizzlies officials will be in Spain when free agency begins to meet with Gasol, very optimistic will return to Memphis.
why? what is lost in that situation? Sure, you'd prefer stability but it's unlikely that you'd regret signing him even for a short time because he'd be extremely motivated. The guy that signs him to a 4 year -80 M deal after his one and done year is taking a much bigger risk that he pulls an Eddy Curry.
If he opts out again next year his max is going to be a lot greater with greater increases year to year...
So signing him to a 4 year max now is a lot more beneficial then him signing a 4 year max next year...
4 year max this off season is a bargain come next off season..
How would that trade make any sense? Thompson is going to get a huge deal, and all of a sudden his value goes away
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If so, fucking do it NOW!
How would that trade make any sense? Thompson is going to get a huge deal, and all of a sudden his value goes away
just like green, carroll and every perceived 3 and D guy to ever play. the minute they get paid and out of their comfort zone they lose value. and that is why drafting is so key... as if you notice thematically all of these type players are found late round 1 or round 2 types...
They just need to stay healthy. 4 straight years now Lebron has had injuries have significant effects on his team in the postseason. He has horrible luck in such matters. It was the biggest reason he left Miami and their age for the Cavs youth, only to have it worse than ever this season. Irving and Love's injury prone history is a big concern
Hearing that the Heat now expect Luol Deng to opt for free agency and join Dwyane Wade on the open market come Wednesday
The expectation leaguewide is that Goran Dragic is basically a lock to stay with the Heat. D-Wade and Deng ... not as lock-y as we thought
Alan Hahn retweeted Ari Fantis
No, they weren't "fake" reports. It was information presented by sources...with agenda. Don't shoot the messenger.
On if Knicks want to trade Melo
Alan Hahn @alanhahn 11m11 minutes ago
Alan Hahn retweeted Jonathan P. Aigen
Absolutely, positively not. But, as I've said, a few around Melo never wanted him to stay here. #sabotage
Lebron has had infinitely worse injury/support luck among his teams in postseason than any of the other guys who are in contention for top 10 all time. Name me the comparable 4 year consecutive run of playoff health issues a player of that status has had to deal with supporting cast injuries. It's a major impact.
2012 he didn't have Bosh for half the playoffs and Wade was playing with a knee issue that required offseason surgery.
2013 Wade was borderline useless in the postseason averaging just 15 ppg on shaky efficiency playing through a knee issue that required offseason electro therapy that would force him on a total minutes restriction the entire next season so his knee didn't spontaneously combust
2014- Wade was shot physically by the finals and had absolutely nothing to offer against San Antonio
2015- literally unprecedented level of physically carnage
There isn't a comparable 4 year stretch of supporting cast health like this in the playoffs. He wasted his first 7 seasons on garbage casts, and now that he has been an active participant in control his own destiny post decision 1.0, they've had horrible injury luck
shocker as well that love and kyrie got hurt... those guys are durable...
But other teams have injuries too. Pacers played without their best player all year. Bulls didnt have Rose for 3 years in the playoffs along with Noah constantly hurt and Pau being banged up this year, OKC's injuries have rivaled anyone's the last few years.
The point is other teams are injured too. This year GS played in every round the other teams PG either being hurt or out.
Its one problem when joining other teams. Wade has never played 80 games in his career. And in 2006-2007 missed over 30 games. Wade was due to decline. The Bosh injury was unfortuante, but they still found a way to win the title despite it.
He was unlucky this year that his other two stars went down in the playoffs. But I dont think a team like OKC gave them much sympathy. They lost all 3 of their all-stars at one point during the year. 2 of them for the huge stretch run.
If Chicago trades Rose to the Knicks, is it the Knicks "undue luck" when Rose eventually sprains his fingernail and misses the post season? No, it would be a shitty decision by the Knicks. Was it "undue luck" that Amare was injured year after year?
Not upset we won't be adding him
because people entertain his comments.
Same problem New Orleans is facing with Asik this year and Charlotte will be facing next year with Batum.
If Chicago trades Rose to the Knicks, is it the Knicks "undue luck" when Rose eventually sprains his fingernail and misses the post season? No, it would be a shitty decision by the Knicks. Was it "undue luck" that Amare was injured year after year?
I wouldn't call either decision he made a shitty decision considering what the alternative would have been. Even with the injury luck. If you want to blast him for choosing to play with guys who had a checkered injury history without weighing the alternative, go ahead. But none of this is really relevant to gauging his basketball impact, which by any measure is in the ball park of anyone who has ever played for the better part of the last 7 years. His only the failing was 2011. Every other season he absolutely maxed out with his supporting cast and then some, considering both lack of talent in some circumstances and injuries in others
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is that his "undue luck" is partly by his own designs. He chose to play with injury prone players (Wade, Love, Irving) so it's not really bad "luck" that those players continue to get hurt.
If Chicago trades Rose to the Knicks, is it the Knicks "undue luck" when Rose eventually sprains his fingernail and misses the post season? No, it would be a shitty decision by the Knicks. Was it "undue luck" that Amare was injured year after year?
I wouldn't call either decision he made a shitty decision considering what the alternative would have been. Even with the injury luck. If you want to blast him for choosing to play with guys who had a checkered injury history without weighing the alternative, go ahead. But none of this is really relevant to gauging his basketball impact, which by any measure is in the ball park of anyone who has ever played for the better part of the last 7 years. His only the failing was 2011. Every other season he absolutely maxed out with his supporting cast and then some, considering both lack of talent in some circumstances and injuries in others
He most certainly didnt maxout in this years finals. You and I both know that. He didnt cost him the finals, but it was probably the 2nd worst finals he ever played in.
When you talk about 5, 6 and 7 championships before stepping on the court together once and win 2 by the skin of your nutsack, that can be considered a failure.
re: the Heat decision - he could've signed anywhere or brought just about anyone with him to the Heat. Riley would've had no issues kicking Wade to the curb in exchange for Lebron.
Link - ( New Window )
Cant I say, "well if Tony Parker's hamstring wasnt being held together by a string, maybe the Spurs beat them in the 2013 finals."
It has to work both ways.
He was playing to the local homers because that's what Miami is, a city of homers and bandwagon jumpers.
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In comment 12347859 giants#1 said:
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is that his "undue luck" is partly by his own designs. He chose to play with injury prone players (Wade, Love, Irving) so it's not really bad "luck" that those players continue to get hurt.
If Chicago trades Rose to the Knicks, is it the Knicks "undue luck" when Rose eventually sprains his fingernail and misses the post season? No, it would be a shitty decision by the Knicks. Was it "undue luck" that Amare was injured year after year?
I wouldn't call either decision he made a shitty decision considering what the alternative would have been. Even with the injury luck. If you want to blast him for choosing to play with guys who had a checkered injury history without weighing the alternative, go ahead. But none of this is really relevant to gauging his basketball impact, which by any measure is in the ball park of anyone who has ever played for the better part of the last 7 years. His only the failing was 2011. Every other season he absolutely maxed out with his supporting cast and then some, considering both lack of talent in some circumstances and injuries in others
He most certainly didnt maxout in this years finals. You and I both know that. He didnt cost him the finals, but it was probably the 2nd worst finals he ever played in.
Whether or not this was LBJ's second worst finals has nothing do with the argument. Kate Upton would be the second best looking girl in a room with only her and Charlotte McKinney, but her relative standing would tell us little about her quality.
Shooting efficiency is a big thing, but not the only thing, especially divorced from any context whatsoever. No one is going to be efficient with a usage rate pushing 50% against the best defense in the league, efficiency and usage have a direct relationship and to view one without taking the other into account is just pointless. The team around him in this years finals was beyond atrocious, worst we have ever seen after Kyrie went down. They couldn't afford to even sit him for more than a meaningful minute a a time because when he wasn't on the floor he offense was comical. Delly/Shump and smith were a combined 1 for 29 when he was off the floor
Other than his shooting efficiency he did everything you can do on the highest level imaginable. The only reason he didn't win finals MVP is because a couple of voters pooled together and and switched their curry votes to Igoudala, because they didn't want a player on the losing team to get it
This Euro draft and stash shit is so dumb. So he was drafted as a 22 year old and 5 years later at age 27 an NBA team still controls his ability to play in the NBA? Ridiculous, but I guess it is good for the NBAPA because otherwise there would be a bidding war for someone who didnt go thru the exploitative years of the CBA like NCAA rookies.
Who is he?
Skip over the posts.
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Wonder what the Knicks would give to MInnesota Link - ( New Window )
Who is he?
Euro league MVP, basically a jack of all trades type of player, can shoot, dribble, dish, not a bad defender,
Basically not great at one thing but good at everything...
Shooting efficiency is a big thing, but not the only thing, especially divorced from any context whatsoever. No one is going to be efficient with a usage rate pushing 50% against the best defense in the league, efficiency and usage have a direct relationship and to view one without taking the other into account is just pointless. The team around him in this years finals was beyond atrocious, worst we have ever seen after Kyrie went down. They couldn't afford to even sit him for more than a meaningful minute a a time because when he wasn't on the floor he offense was comical. Delly/Shump and smith were a combined 1 for 29 when he was off the floor
Other than his shooting efficiency he did everything you can do on the highest level imaginable. The only reason he didn't win finals MVP is because a couple of voters pooled together and and switched their curry votes to Igoudala, because they didn't want a player on the losing team to get it
I should rephrase my previosu comment. It would have taken a herculean effort to beat GS, so I dont think he lost them the series.
My point was that you and I both know we have seen him play at a higher level. We know his shooting wasnt great. But I dont think he defended at a high level either (mainly because they asked him to lay off Barnes/Iggy and be a helpside defender/rebounder). You and I have seen him shut down the other teams best player defensively. I didnt see the defeense this series that I usually do. The reobunding and passing was outstanding as usual.
But we have seen Lebron shoot near 60% for a series. This series,,,,39.7% And under 70% from the line as well. I just wonder if he shoot something like 44-45%, how much difference it could have made.
Luol Deng's agent Herb Rudoy says his client is staying with the Heat for the 2015-16 season. "He opted in 2 minutes ago," Rudoy said.
Still baffles me on all the Saric hype. Not athletic, can't shoot, can dribble and pass but not strong enough to consistently play the 4 or 5.
The NBA draft thread turned into a Knicks thread, we didnt complain then - did we?
DeAndre Jordan to meet with Clippers, Lakers, Mavs and Knicks when the free-agency bell rings, league source says. "Slight edge" to Clips.
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MOMyour very knowledgeable about the game but every time you come to a thread it turns into a lebron debate thread...it is a little annoying...
The NBA draft thread turned into a Knicks thread, we didnt complain then - did we?
What are you talking about? there was Knicks draft thread..i never once went onto the NBA thread
Riley is not that man to pay someone for something in the past. He is not the puppet master for no reason.
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Wonder what the Knicks would give to MInnesota Link - ( New Window )
This Euro draft and stash shit is so dumb. So he was drafted as a 22 year old and 5 years later at age 27 an NBA team still controls his ability to play in the NBA? Ridiculous, but I guess it is good for the NBAPA because otherwise there would be a bidding war for someone who didnt go thru the exploitative years of the CBA like NCAA rookies.
Well, there has to be some defense against an international player being drafted, not wanting to go there, and then re-entering the draft repeatedly.
I don't know where I'd rank it among his finals performances, because it was such a unique series by him with a very unique set of circumstances. But I do think he was very good, potentially deserving the finals MVP he very nearly got which would have gone to the first loser in over 40 years
Well, there has to be some defense against an international player being drafted, not wanting to go there, and then re-entering the draft repeatedly.
5 years seems a little extreme though. Losing the players rights after 3 years seems like a fair compromise.
Knicks contingent will be Phil, Mills and Fisher
Apparently Melo has already talked to both players and he has also talked to Greg Monroe and Aaron Affalo
Knicks will also meet with Wesley Matthews
Link - ( New Window )
Well, there has to be some defense against an international player being drafted, not wanting to go there, and then re-entering the draft repeatedly.
No there doesnt. There doesnt even need to be a draft. The draft (w/ rookie contract limits) is just a tool for management and incumbent players to take money from people who are not yet in the NBAPA and redistribute it among themselves.
There is no reason that someone who is 25 years old and has never played an NBA game needs to be exclusively attached to one team. Let him be a UFA.
Even better.
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Well, there has to be some defense against an international player being drafted, not wanting to go there, and then re-entering the draft repeatedly.
No there doesnt. There doesnt even need to be a draft. The draft (w/ rookie contract limits) is just a tool for management and incumbent players to take money from people who are not yet in the NBAPA and redistribute it among themselves.
There is no reason that someone who is 25 years old and has never played an NBA game needs to be exclusively attached to one team. Let him be a UFA.
Well, they're not doing away with the draft any time soon, especially with as much as the NBA has woven itself into the international market.
It feels like DeAndre to the Mavs is going to happen unless CP3 comes begging DeAndre to stay. But CP3 would never do that, I think CP3 actually wants DeAndre to go to the Mavs so that his old buddy Tyson Chandler is SnT'd to the Clippers.
I know DeAndre is a Texas dude but if I'm him, I look at the landscape and realize that the East is a shitload weaker than the West. The Knicks with Melo/capspace is a better ship to jump to than the Mavs with Dirk/Parsons. Dirk is the man but he has maybe 1 or 2 years left and Parsons is a role player getting paid like a star. Add Jordan and a wing like Afflalo, and the Knicks would be an EC contender again.
Heat/Dragic remain optimistic Dragic deal with Miami will be resolved soon after free agency starts. 5-yr deal expected between $90-100 M.
I think the one thing we have learned is, no one knows what Phil is going to do...
Hmm.
Aldridge/Melo really doesn't strike me as a dynamic fit.
It feels like DeAndre to the Mavs is going to happen unless CP3 comes begging DeAndre to stay. But CP3 would never do that, I think CP3 actually wants DeAndre to go to the Mavs so that his old buddy Tyson Chandler is SnT'd to the Clippers.
I know DeAndre is a Texas dude but if I'm him, I look at the landscape and realize that the East is a shitload weaker than the West. The Knicks with Melo/capspace is a better ship to jump to than the Mavs with Dirk/Parsons. Dirk is the man but he has maybe 1 or 2 years left and Parsons is a role player getting paid like a star. Add Jordan and a wing like Afflalo, and the Knicks would be an EC contender again.
Yea agree on the Dallas point. A DeAndre, Dirk, Parsons trio isn't enough to win in the west.
However, he would save a ton of money through taxes as opposed to if he plays in NY or Cali and gets to be at home. We'll see I guess what matters a lot to him.
I'm still in the boat that he stays with the Clippers though and that these issues with CP3 are a bit overblown.
Aldridge/Melo really doesn't strike me as a dynamic fit.
Agree.
It feels like DeAndre to the Mavs is going to happen unless CP3 comes begging DeAndre to stay. But CP3 would never do that, I think CP3 actually wants DeAndre to go to the Mavs so that his old buddy Tyson Chandler is SnT'd to the Clippers.
I know DeAndre is a Texas dude but if I'm him, I look at the landscape and realize that the East is a shitload weaker than the West. The Knicks with Melo/capspace is a better ship to jump to than the Mavs with Dirk/Parsons. Dirk is the man but he has maybe 1 or 2 years left and Parsons is a role player getting paid like a star. Add Jordan and a wing like Afflalo, and the Knicks would be an EC contender again.
I think that overstates how much a FA puts into thinking about the team they choose. Obviously they want to go to a winning environment, but I think when they look at it, its like "oh the Mavs were in the playoffs, need a center and thats a good fit" rather than "the Knicks sucked but are in the Eastern conference, and if Wade leaves theres a team i won't have to worry about, the Hawks were a fluke, and the Bulls are gonna stink with a new coach".
$$$ is always the primary reason. He will get more money in Texas than anywhere else because of tax benefits. Then I think everything else is on a secondary, equal plane. Mavs had more wins than us, and he is from Texas. I don't think we can bank on us having a legit shot at him.
Aldridge/Melo really doesn't strike me as a dynamic fit.
Yea Aldridge loves that midrange shot where Melo usually occupies so not sure how that would work. He's also a pretty high volume guy 23 ppg on 20 shots per game which is fine but having two of those guys on a team may be a bit much. He's also 29.
DeAndre would make a lot more sense
IF they could get Aldridge and Matthews then trade Calderon for nothing and add West....
Grant
Matthews
Melo
West
Aldridge
is a pretty good 5 in the east...
For the bench have to hope they can get a good vet with Room Exception and hope POrzingis can at least score a little bit off the bench...
Look ill be absolutely thrilled if we get either one.
Anyone but the "home team" is a long shot with all the extra money the current team is able to offer.
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time for Phil to do his work. I know we are long shots, but who knows. I guess we dont even know if we are long shots, its just the media painting us as long shots, shocker.
Anyone but the "home team" is a long shot with all the extra money the current team is able to offer.
With the cap jump though that 5th year is not an advantage anymore...
Knicks are frontrunners for two free agents -- Greg Monroe and Arron Afflalo, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Those are realistic targets.
It feels like DeAndre to the Mavs is going to happen unless CP3 comes begging DeAndre to stay. But CP3 would never do that, I think CP3 actually wants DeAndre to go to the Mavs so that his old buddy Tyson Chandler is SnT'd to the Clippers.
I know DeAndre is a Texas dude but if I'm him, I look at the landscape and realize that the East is a shitload weaker than the West. The Knicks with Melo/capspace is a better ship to jump to than the Mavs with Dirk/Parsons. Dirk is the man but he has maybe 1 or 2 years left and Parsons is a role player getting paid like a star. Add Jordan and a wing like Afflalo, and the Knicks would be an EC contender again.
That's my pitch to everyone if I'm PJ. Even with the injuries OKC is probably a top 4 seed in the East and they couldn't even make the playoffs out West. And it's not going to get much easier with AD peaking, the Lakers potentially bouncing back, etc.
Knicks are frontrunners for two free agents -- Greg Monroe and Arron Afflalo, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Those are realistic targets.
I like the sound of that, but I hope it doesn't eat up our entire cap...who is going to be our defensive anchor at the MLE or vet min?
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Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA 1m1 minute ago
Knicks are frontrunners for two free agents -- Greg Monroe and Arron Afflalo, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Those are realistic targets.
I like the sound of that, but I hope it doesn't eat up our entire cap...who is going to be our defensive anchor at the MLE or vet min?
I doubt that would be their entire cap..
Probably Monroe at 15..Affalo at around 7?
Leaves 5 million plus room exception and maybe more if they can get rid of Calderon..
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Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA 1m1 minute ago
Knicks are frontrunners for two free agents -- Greg Monroe and Arron Afflalo, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Those are realistic targets.
I like the sound of that, but I hope it doesn't eat up our entire cap...who is going to be our defensive anchor at the MLE or vet min?
Don't the Knicks not have a MLE since they're below the cap at the start of FA?
$$$ is always the primary reason. He will get more money in Texas than anywhere else because of tax benefits. Then I think everything else is on a secondary, equal plane. Mavs had more wins than us, and he is from Texas. I don't think we can bank on us having a legit shot at him.
I think you're underrating how much thinking a FA puts into choosing a team. Of course money is the main objective and tax makes a big difference. We just saw Dwight ditch Cali for Texas partially because of the tax situation.
But these guys also want to win. And DeAndre, as someone who was apart of a Finals-worthy 1st round series in the playoffs against the Spurs, realizes how much tougher the West is.
I really think the Knicks have the chance to give DeAndre a MUUCH better pitch than the Mavs. Sure DeAndre can look at the tax situation and the the wins the Mavs had last year, but at the end of the day the Mavs are selling Dirk/Parsons as the building blocks on that team. Dirk is old as hell and not even a superstar anymore, and Parsons is a role player who is coming off of a very serious injury.
The Knicks situation is so much more appealing than the Mavs situation imo. I think the Knicks have a real chance with DeAndre unless all he wants to do is go back home.
While we shouldn't bank on rookies we can certainly project them to become useful players and hopefully sooner rather than later. With guys like Grant and KP, the hope is that DeAndre Jordan doesn't have to be a scorer
Moreover the problem with the cap allocation during the short lived Chandler era wasn't Chandler until his final, indifferent season here. It was a crippled Amar'e. A healthy Amar'e and the Knicks could've played effective ISO ball come the postseason because they'd have had two elite one-on-one scorers.
Your love for Alexis Ajinca troubles me...
I think 3/27 could get it done for him.
I think 3/27 could get it done for him.
the rockets are a contending team... the knicks are a rebuilding team
I think he'd only be a good signing for the Knicks IF the Knicks already signed DeAndre/Gasol/Aldridge first.
Monroe + Afflalo for $25M? seems like the plan, not sure how I'd feel about that as a Knicks fan. A definite overpay to become a possible 48 win team next year imo.
I think he'd only be a good signing for the Knicks IF the Knicks already signed DeAndre/Gasol/Aldridge first.
Monroe + Afflalo for $25M? seems like the plan, not sure how I'd feel about that as a Knicks fan. A definite overpay to become a possible 48 win team next year imo.
I dont think Monroe and Affalo is the plan, based on that tweet it seems they want to come to the Knicks, doesnt say if that is what the Knicks want to do...
If you backload each of the contracts, that fits under the 27 we have.
You know i like Danny Green, but does anyone really think that Afflalo couldnt perform just as good if not better if he was on SA?
well, this same agent let him play under the one year qualifying offer this past season instead of signing a 4 or 5 year deal last summer.
He just finished a season with the Clips that saw them get the #2 seed and their road to a championship would've been: Spurs->Rockets->Warriors->Cavs.
Move to the East and you're looking at 1st/2nd round matchups with teams that probably don't even sniff the playoffs out West. Even with a lesser supporting cast, his odds of winning a title are likely better in the East. That's why the Cavs are the current 2016 title favorites despite arguably being less talented than several teams in the West (including the young GS team that just beat them).
If you backload each of the contracts, that fits under the 27 we have.
the CBA only allows something like a 4% raise each season. You can't really "backload".
DeAndre should stay with the Clippers. I can't think of a real argument for the Knicks over the Clippers for DJ. You just have to hope the the CP3 and DeAndre beef comes into play. If that's enough to send him to Dallas, it should be enough to send him to NY.
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with only 1 or 2 guaranteed years, regardless of the cap explosion next offseason.
well, this same agent let him play under the one year qualifying offer this past season instead of signing a 4 or 5 year deal last summer.
There's a difference between the 2 situations. I'd be stunned if his next contract isn't 4 years with the 1 year player option. It really isn't a big deal either way, but I just can't see him taking the risk he did last season just for 2 guaranteed years.
The Los Angeles Lakers have informed Jordan Hill they will not pick up his $9 million team option, league source tells RealGM.
Melo already knows what players the Knicks have a shot at...if players do not come it will not be a surprise to him...
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if he puts money aside, for what reason would he not choose to stay with the Clips over the Knicks? Not only more money, but the Clips stand a better chance in the West than we do against Cleveland and Chicago in the East over the next 3 years. Plus Paul Pierce is considering going to the clips and I'm sure they can get someone like Boozer for the minimum to get someone on the bench. They'd be essentially upgrading Barnes to Pierce and everything Stephenson is gravy.
DeAndre should stay with the Clippers. I can't think of a real argument for the Knicks over the Clippers for DJ. You just have to hope the the CP3 and DeAndre beef comes into play. If that's enough to send him to Dallas, it should be enough to send him to NY.
Broussard says that the Knicks pitch is that he won't be the third option anymore and that the path to All-Star games is much easier in the East. It's not a great argument, but you can see it working on some guys.
do you mean his next contract will be 3 years with a 4th year at his option? Because the CBA doesn't allow 4 year deals with an opt out after 1.
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to do that 1 + 1 thing, think we can make him take maybe $2-3 million less? Then hope we can get Ajinca, Koufos, Wright or Bismack between $5-8 million a year?
Your love for Alexis Ajinca troubles me...
Lol. On the right deal, he is a solid pickup. Like him more than Bismack. Shoots 50% from the mid range and his 7'9" wingspan helps rim protection.
You overrate his awareness. And it doesn't matter if it's a surprise or not. If they strike out in free agency he's going to be disappointed.
Source: #Knicks have interest in meeting with Long Island's SG Danny Green, but he's in Brazil. San Antonio very much in picture, though.
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There's a difference between the 2 situations. I'd be stunned if his next contract isn't 4 years with the 1 year player option. It really isn't a big deal either way, but I just can't see him taking the risk he did last season just for 2 guaranteed years.
do you mean his next contract will be 3 years with a 4th year at his option? Because the CBA doesn't allow 4 year deals with an opt out after 1.
You're correct. If that's the case, then I guess he could take the 1 & 1. I just find it hard to believe he'd pile more risk on top of more risk.
What does LeBron care about Thompson's representation? He may want TT back, but I cant picture it being because they share an agent.
Part of the reason Andrew Wiggins was readily dealt off without much acknolwedgement is that he wasn't interested in changing agents and joining LeBron's "off court team".
Joseph/Grant
Affalo/Galloway
Melo/Ingles
Monroe/Porzingis
Biyombo
12-13 per would be tough to swallow. But who knows its our usual "league sources"
For others? Not so much. Lets take 6th man "X". Mr. X is going to get paid 28/4 this year in part on the knowledge that the cap is going up next year. If there wasnt massive cap inflation, he might get only 15/3 or 20/4. But it's not like if he could opt out that next year there would by 40/4 available for him -- the 28/4 is already pricing the cap rise in -- except for max contract players.
This is the problem with Monroe. He's a max guy because of the cap rise. He shouldnt expect materially more than 15 million per if he opts out next year -- maybe he gets more, but on a 2 year deal he risks more than 50% of the 60 million should he suck/get hurt.
LeBron and Rich Paul were personal friends before they had a professional relationship. Lebron left CAA to make Rich Paul his agent.
LeBron hired Rich Paul to work for him as part of his management team, and it's because of LeBron that he actually became an agent after getting connected with and working under well-established agent Leon Rose. Now Paul has his own agency. His clients include Lebron, Norris Cole, Thompson, Eric Bledsoe, among others. They're business partners.
Lebron doesn't just want to be a basketball player. He wants to be a businessman and a power broker among athletes.
Does he come with a free suit and folding chair for the 25 games he'll miss per year?
People would just blame that on being with the Knicks though.
Yea it would be weird but to be fair we have no idea how much Knicks or the rest of the NBA will offer right?
What would be an appropriate contract you think for him? 7-9 million a year?
Again, if we don't get a SG this year, there are many younger SGs coming available next year. The rim protectors next year? Ed Davis and Ian Mahinimi. No thank you.
And I keep forgetting about Kyle O'quinn. Solid defense and shooting range, has been even hitting a few 3s on occasion. I'd think somewhere in the 6-8 million range ought to do it. Perfect compliment to Monroe.
Monroe at $15 million, O'quinn at $6 million, that should allow about $6 million to spend on a stop gap SG. Maybe Gerald Green on a 1 year deal?
And if we are simply keeping Calderon because of shooting, do you think we could swap him for Kevin Martin? Just as bad on defense but can get high volume 3s in on 40% shooting. Solid spark off the bench.
K-Mart/Grant/Ledo
Melo/Early
O'Quinn/KP
Monroe/Aldrich
I might be optimistic on that one, but hopefully can get us 35-40 wins, compete for an 8 seed, and next year we can splash on SGs and fill out the bench.
For others? Not so much. Lets take 6th man "X". Mr. X is going to get paid 28/4 this year in part on the knowledge that the cap is going up next year. If there wasnt massive cap inflation, he might get only 15/3 or 20/4. But it's not like if he could opt out that next year there would by 40/4 available for him -- the 28/4 is already pricing the cap rise in -- except for max contract players.
This is the problem with Monroe. He's a max guy because of the cap rise. He shouldnt expect materially more than 15 million per if he opts out next year -- maybe he gets more, but on a 2 year deal he risks more than 50% of the 60 million should he suck/get hurt.
true, but we're looking at an unprecedented situation where just about EVERY team is going to have max cap room. Role players and such get overpaid when there's 2-3 teams bidding. What happens when there's say 10-20 teams in the mix for a guy?
I know it was a few years ago, but JR Smith got 7 mil in a packed SG market coming off a 6th man of the year award. I don't care if the cap is going up... Afflalo can't get 8 mil coming off a bad season.
You can work deals, you can agree to deals, but nothing is official until deals can be signed.
He had a PER lower than Shumpert last year lol. I saw something on twitter also about how his on-off the court numbers are also average at best.
If you look back at that offseason, pretty much everyone got 6-8 million dollars... JR Smith, Mayo, Gerald Henderson, Jose Calderon, JJ Redick, and a few other guards who slip my mind at the moment. Belinelli took less to play in San Antonio.
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine 47s47 seconds ago
As for Rockets, like we reported last week, Houston WANTS to get in the game for both Aldridge and Kevin Love. Needs to shed salary, tho
I wouldn't mind taking Clint Capela as part of a deal.
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The Chicago Bulls have given Jimmy Butler both a qualifying offer AND a max qualifying offer @BBallInsiders
Fucking A, you just put the imagine of Masai Ujiri licking Aldridge's balls in my mind.
They'd have to pay us back now.
No longer content merely to dominate the basketball world of tomorrow with Latvian super-stud Kristaps Porzingis, Phil Jackson might be looking to pry the rights to 6'10" power forward Nemanja Bjelica away from the Minnesota Timberwolves, per Eurohoops' Nikos Varlas:
According to Eurohoops sources, the Euroleague MVP has already decided to continue his career in the NBA. He has to sign his new contract until the 10th of July, the date his opt out clause in the contract with Fenerbahce/ Ulker expires. Bjelica has been in contact for a long time with the Timberwolves, however now the Knicks entered the picture.
Bjelica is a unique case and his passing ability makes him a great fit for the triangle offense. Thats probably why the Knicks are really interested on him and they seem willing to offer him a better deal than the one he already has on the table from Minessota. It remains to be seen what Minessota will decide, since the Timberwolves also want the Serbian Forward and Euroleague MVP of the season on their roster for next season.
Bjelica averaged 11.5 points on 53.7 percent shooting (37% from three), 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce. Euroleague is the basketball equivalent of the Champions League, so he won MVP honors in a showcase of the best teams from around Europe. Also, he is apparently the Serbian Magic:
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Aldridge to meet with the Raptors? That's pretty wild because he's guaranteed the max wherever he goes so there is no incentive in trying to play teams against each other. Guess he just wants his balls licked by as many teams as possible
Fucking A, you just put the imagine of Masai Ujiri licking Aldridge's balls in my mind.
LOL Dan msgd me this on Facebook and I said the exact same thing...
Bjelica, 27, has moved toward breaking into the NBA after being named the Euroleague MVP this past season. At 6-foot-10, Bjelica is a skilled forward who could play three positions at the NBA level.
I honestly wouldn't even be thrilled if they gave Green that much money, I think he should come in at around 10 per, but I could talk myself into it just because you probably are going to have to overpay to get him away from San Antonio.
Exactly. If part 1 is true, why would the Knicks and their 100% lack of assets be the ones to land him? They can tell him to fuck off and stay in Europe.
I wish Knicks could get rid of Calderon's contract
Cavs are looking for a vet PG maybe they would be interested in Haywood for Calderon?
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he's simply never going to sign there? But if that's the case, other teams would surely be in the mix.
Exactly. If part 1 is true, why would the Knicks and their 100% lack of assets be the ones to land him? They can tell him to fuck off and stay in Europe.
If he's never going to sign there maybe he said he wants NY and only NY.
As the Daily News reported in April, an NBA executive called Greg Monroe to the Knicks "about as close to a done deal as you can get."
What the HELL?!?!?!? - ( New Window )
I dont know why he'd go to SAS. Who knows if the wheels are going to fall off the bus there. Look, I love Leonard. Im not convinced he can carry a playoff team. Manu, Duncan, Splitter, and Green are all likely gone this summer or next. Meaning after Leonard (22 PER), what's left is Parker in his mid 30s and in a CLEAR statistical decline, and flotsam. Guys who look good as the 6th-7th best guys on a team and are exposed when you ask more of them.
And why LA? That could work well. Or its the corpse of Kobe, Russell's defensive and athletic concerns prove value, and Randle aint shit/never recovers. Huge risk.
I don't get it. Does that mean they're guaranteeing not to sign or trade for anyone else?
Can confirm the Raptors have joined teams securing a free-agent meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge. Toronto contingent lined up for July 1
Can use them until Knicks need the cap space...once they need the cap space Knicks need to renounce them
Sourcs: Charlotte has informed forward Bismack Biyombo that it won't tender a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
The Lakers will push very hard for Dwyane Wade, who will also have interest from the Knicks (and others).
Agreed he will not cost that much and is still so young. Plus he fills a huge need.
only the clips can offer Jordan 5. He can only get 4 from other teams, even if it's a sign-and-trade.
Real plus minus (RPM) is a relatively new stat that is sort of like on/off except much better because it adjusts for a variety of factors. Basically it is an attempt to gauge impact. Like anything else there are outliers that get overrated or underrated by this metric, nothing is perfect. The top 4 guys last year in RPM was Curry, Harden, Lebron and Anthony Davis. I think a consensus of basketball fans would have also labeled that the top 4 players in the league last year in general. The guy in 5th? Kawhi Leonard. I'm not sure of label Leonard as high as 5, but he's closer to 5 in terms of impact than he is to 25. He can't volume score on a superstar level (at least I don't believe so, but even that is up for a little debate because the Spurs system deflates individual stats), but even so, individual high volume scoring is a less valuable asset than ever with the way modern offenses have evolved their attack, it's not a necessity for potent offenses now with today's spacing and ball movement, and it's basically a dying phenomenon reserved for a select few.
Not sure how I feel about gutting the team to add Aldridge.
And even all that aside, I think the Duncan-Pop era Spurs are just this magic land where everyone is awesome. Take away Duncan and Manu and it gets rougher. I just dont view Leonard, Aldridge, and a declining Parker as much of a championship core. So it's 2015-16 or bust if LA goes there unless another big FA follows next year.
Two totally different plays. Jordan gets $80-100+ million. Biyambo apparently had no trade value on a $5.5 million QO (or MJ is an idiot).
Not sure how I feel about gutting the team to add Aldridge.
I revisit a Lawson trade. It might depend on whether you guys are willing to include Capela along with T Jones. The Rockets with Lawson would have the best starting five in basketball.
He'd have 5 points in the morning
-Charles Barkley
I don't like the idea of Enes Kanter on O without Russell Westbrook. I'm horrified of the idea of Enes Kanter on D without Serge Ibaka.
I don't think he's the 5th best player but he's not too far away. He is better than a ton of guys who may have more impressive box score stats
Don't know if I'd take that risk. He is awful defensively. Not like Monroe bad. Like worst defender in the league bad. He fits perfectly in OKC because he can guard centers and Ibaka and Adams can help cover for his problems.
And plus, I don't like the idea of getting our money tied up while OKC ponders to match him, which they probably well because they are giving away assets for nothing (see: Lamb, Jeremy) in order to keep him. We can miss out on free agents while we wait for OKC to make a decision, which will probably be to match it anyways.
Even after Pop leaves, that franchise will be in good hands. We saw how a Pop assistant led a team to 60 wins and even beat him out for coach of the year. And Leonard and Alrdige are better than any players on those teams. Pop will make sure the Spurs are prepared for a life without him.
I love to add DeAndre. His defensive presence alone will have a huge impact. Jordan is what Chandler should have been until he just fell off a cliff in NY.
Would feel comfortable giving DeAndre big money. He's in his prime and barring injury figures to be a really good defensive player and rebounder for the life of his contract (and likely more).
As much as we want to believe KP can be a rim protector, he's really not close to being there yet. DeAndre can pick up that slack while KP can just go out there without getting face fucked every minute trying to block NBA bigs shots/dunks.
Looks like everyone's just guessing again.
Meanwhile, LOL, Hardaway says he won't forget the Jackson diss. (link)
More importantly, can he remember two things at once: the Jackson diss, and to actually guard somebody? Doubtful.
Meanwhile it wasn't really a diss. Jackson got someone talented for him.
Link - ( New Window )
Best rebounder in the game though.
Best rebounder in the game though.
No, no argument there, but he's still a quality rim protector. Moreover, having a rebounder like that would be especially helpful if you put Melo at the 4 or eventually KP as a stretch 4, as I have a hard time picturing KP being a plus rebounder.
DeAndre Jordan scheduled to meet with Dallas, Lakers, Knicks, all on Wednesday, sources. DJ will meet Clippers last on Thursday.
Why do I have a scary feeling we end up with Jordan and wade who take up all our space. Really don't want wade and don't like they we have been linked to him.
Uh, wow. We're not going to agree on this. Might as well not discuss it.
Would have to get rid of Calderon..
Supposedly Wade is asking for a 3 year deal starting at 16
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And he's even more versatile defensively
Uh, wow. We're not going to agree on this. Might as well not discuss it.
What is there not to agree with? I didn't say he was as good as Pippen, hence the "minus the point forward skills", which is a big part of what made Pippen a top 30ish player of all time in my view. Leonard is not that, but minus that skill he does everything Pippen does as well as Pippen did it. And in another offense he would score at higher volume, he could easily mirror Pippens scoring if given that freedom
#Knicks "want to be in" the mix for FA guard Danny Green, per league sources. Green's interest in NYK is unclear at this point.
Meanwhile, LOL, Hardaway says he won't forget the Jackson diss. (link)
More importantly, can he remember two things at once: the Jackson diss, and to actually guard somebody? Doubtful.
Meanwhile it wasn't really a diss. Jackson got someone talented for him. Link - ( New Window )
He'll score an efficient 30 at MSG this year. That's how this always works.
Arron Afflalo is likely to sign with the New York Knicks in free agency, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, with a three-year contract worth $36-38 million.
Re the money, he says:
So people not affiliated with the Knicks say we're the front runners, and point out that if we sign Monroe we still have enough left to pay Afflalo 36-38. Not that we'd give him that much.
Link - ( New Window )
You can only keep Phil Jackson down for so long. My sources tell me the Knicks will have a free-agent hauling, with Monroe leading the way.
You can only keep Phil Jackson down for so long. My sources tell me the Knicks will have a free-agent hauling, with Monroe leading the way.
His sources...
If half of the rumors I've heard today are true, it's going to be one of the wildest NBA drafts in history. NBA fans, fasten your seat belts
Don't feel strongly about this one way or the other. I would prefer Green at that price if possible though
Woj is special. He is a fantastic reporter. When he gets news I believe it. But as of now he's just reporting on league sources rumors, not what is gonna happen.
Marc J. Spears @SpearsNBAYahoo 14s14 seconds ago
The Knicks will not be extending a qualifying offer to forward Quincy Acy, which makes him an unrestricted free agent, source told Yahoo.
Woj is special. He is a fantastic reporter. When he gets news I believe it. But as of now he's just reporting on league sources rumors, not what is gonna happen.
Woj has great sources but even he doesnt have sources close to Phil...when Phil was being hired by the Knicks he said Knicks ha dno chace to get him and the next day Phil was hired....
Signing Afflalo at 30 is a "win now" move and you can't win now if there's no rim protection and it's not like we have the defensive versatility to play small ball.
Signing Afflalo at 30 is a "win now" move and you can't win now if there's no rim protection and it's not like we have the defensive versatility to play small ball.
The eventual cap rise is baked into the cake in all of these negotiations though. Everyone on that rough Afflalo tier is going to get paid similarly. Danny Green may even be slightly north of that. If you aren't interested in chasing those guys that's fine, but it was a pipe dream to expect to get either of those guys south of double digit millions annually. 27 million was never going to address quite as many needs as some thought
Sources tell @Chris_Broussard Melo is recruiting LaMarcus Aldridge + DeAndre Jordan and both have NYK in their top 4
Lakers & Rockets get the first crack at LaMarcus on Tuesday night. Spurs, Mavs, Suns, Raptors are in Wednesday. Knicks on Thursday.
Sense I get from latest calls is Marc Gasol, Kevin Love & Millsap are staying put. Aldridge, Monroe & DJ are in play
Just checked and still no official word on David west and his reported decision to opt out. Has 1159 pm deadline. Stay tuned. Or go to bed..
Thanks. Im not stupid. I understand how cap inflation works.
I dont think Afflalo is worth 9 million at old money for the coming seasons. The guy just never developed and IMO is more name than game changer. When he was 26 he was worth this contract or more. But now what are you paying for?
LaMarcus Aldridge is leaning towards signing with the Lakers, reports the LA Times. A lot can change from now until free agency begins.
Wouldn't mind a starting 5 of the following:
Grant
Green
Melo
West
Deandre Jordan
Bench
Shved
Kristapas
Galloway
The second Ed pick from last year can't remember his name
Vet min
Vet min
I know it's not the greatest team but you get younger with deandre and green who both play above average defense. You get a savy veteran in west. Then next year you go all out for Conley, assuming no chance at durant.
LaMarcus Aldridge is leaning towards signing with the Lakers, reports the LA Times. A lot can change from now until free agency begins.
Please make this happen!
Yeah, this thread is for the CONNECTICUT Knicks, amirite?
I wouldn't mind Hibbert on the cheap at all next season either by the way. Same guy at half the current salary is a steal, he's a legitimate anchor defensively who has had multiple number 1 defenses built around his paint protection and mastery of the verticality concept.
Is Kobe, assuming he plays in 60 games, really any more effective than Lillard at this point? Assuming they get a defensive center, this team is just a worse version of Portland last year with a much shittier coach.
Is Russell as a rookie going to be better than Matthews, Afflalo and Batum combined?
Seriously, does anyone realize how bad this defense is going to be? I get Lillard was bad but theres no way Russell was any better, and Matthews and Batum are defensive specialists. Aldridge is mediocre at best. This is 8th seed material. Maybe they are hoping to recruit better players with Aldridge but this team is not contending, let alone winning a championship, anytime soon.
I knew Aldridge liked the Rockets better than what was being reported all season (LMAO at all the LMA-Mavs talk compared to no LMA-HOU talk... common sense people), but it's still great to see the Rockets be officially linked to him as the team getting the 2nd meeting on the 1st night.
Aldridge is 30 and the Rockets give him a far better chance to win over the next 3 years than the Lakers do. Should be a simple enough sell. I'd prefer Aldridge goes to the Lakers over the Spurs though if it's not Houston.
If we don't have to get rid of DMo, then I'm fine giving up on the other 3 guys + trash for Aldridge.
And the Rockets can keep DMo from what I'm seeing. Ariza's deal being so damn attractive is going to help them out.
It's cute that Aldridge is giving the Mavs a meeting, not surprised that a star player wants to see what kind of pitch Cuban can make during FA. But that was always a joke destination for LMA.
It's the Spurs, Lakers, and Rockets for LMA in that order imo. Or Portland, but I doubt he goes back.
Afflalo has had a negative DRPM the past 2 seasons. I know one stat isn't the be all end all, but it's probably not a good sign when a guys team performs better defensively when he is off the court, especially when he is best known for being a defensive stopper. He was ranked 70th among shooting guards defensively this past season and 65th the year before that.
Just for some context, he are the top 10 SGs defensively for the most recent season according to DRPM:
Khris Middleton, Nick Calathes, Elijah Milsap, Andre Roberson, Wes Matthews, Alan Anderson, Danny Green, Iman Shumpert, Manu Ginobili, Kyle Korver (lol)...so definitely a lot of the names you would expect to see, but judging by Korver making the top 10 not the perfect stat.
that is a useful player but not a 9m player