Kevin Durant’s representatives "are working to solidify invitations" with the Celtics, Warriors, Clippers, Heat, Spurs and Thunder, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
According to the report, the meetings are expected to take place in New York, but teams are still awaiting on the specific location. Wojnarowski adds the Thunder are still the frontrunners for a one-plus-one-year deal to allow Durant to hit free agency for the big salary cap rise in 2017. Wojnarowski also said the Warriors "have Durant's attention." Lastly, the report adds Durant is expected to take a tour to the Far East on July 9 and should have a decision before then. OK, everybody got that?
So he's in NY, he's supposedly close with Rose and Melo and yet we aren't on his list of initial teams to meet. That's not a good sign.
Durant to meet with the Celtics, Warriors, Clippers, Heat, Spurs and Thunder - (
New Window )
LANCE THOMAS
CHAMPIONSHIP
Kevin Durant wants to play with LT - ( New Window )
Noah/Willy
KP/KOQ
Melo/Thomas
Lee/Galloway
Rose/Crawford
That's probably a top 4 seed in the east with a ton of cap flexibility in 2017.
Listening to Hahn it sounds like the Knicks aren't interested in bringing back Galloaway at all. It wasn't just Grant that disappointed Phil last season.
LANCE THOMAS
CHAMPIONSHIP Kevin Durant wants to play with LT - ( New Window )
I remember him talking up Thomas. When Fisher was the HC, Durant seem to have been a big time fan of the Knicks. OKC was said to be worried that the Knicks were a serious threat to land him when Fisher was HC.
Sam Amick said Lakers and wizards will not get a meeting..
He also said with rose trade the knicks have jumped on Durant radar but no meeting scheduled yet
Assuming he isnt offer sheeted, you 100% bring back Gallo. Is he, at this point, a potent 6th man? No. He's at least a 4th guard in a rotation, and with Rose's injury history, we really need 5 guards who can play. He's a plus defender who can shoot the 3. And he has room to improve. I wouldnt pay him 8 million a year, but my gut tells me no one is going after him.
That team is still not better then the Thunder.
Quote:
Locked up before meeting with KD. KP, Melo, Rose, Noah, Lance Thomas & Hernangomez isn't great. It's much better then what we had last season IMO. Add KD into that & we probably 3peat lol a man can dream!
That team is still not better then the Thunder.
Assuming Westbrook stays next offseason. If Westbrook leaves that would suck for KD. Lol. I am not comparing the Knicks roster to the Thunder's. Obviously as of today the Thunder's roster is better.
He works out with rose when he is in LA and works out with Melo in new york...
As for Noah I have a feeling he agrees on the first day of free agency, maybe a couple hours after midnight...
Oladipo is restricted, I'm almost certain
Yes starts midnight of Thursday night
Then you have Westbrook and Adams vs Melo and Rose in terms of other players of value.
Then factor in coaching staff, GM, and ability to attract future free agents?
I may be biased, but I think the Knicks have the edge there.
Durant recognized that KP is a unicorn. In terms of value, the Thunder would get laughed at if they tried to trade VO for KP. I honestly dont think you'd trade KP for Westbrook because of cost control and age (Westbrook is obviously better). KP is a guy people are going to affirmatively want to play with. Oladipo is a "and we also have Oladipo" guy. Outstanding defender. Couldnt play with a PG in Elf, and it's not at all clear whether he's a guy who has to dominate the ball to be all that he can be (which is a problem because he isnt in the class of great on-ball guards). He's a Robin who is uncomfortable in that role. He's also wildly inconsistent.
KP's path to stardom is clear. Whereas I wouldnt bet on Oladipo ever being the #2 man on a finals team. More likely the #4 man.
If Durant is making a decision based ON THE MAIN PIECES on OKC and NY that's what he's evaluating (not the complete supporting cast) which is near completion for NY.
So the Knicks ability to sign FAs with the available cap is a big plus. Noah being reportedly interested in coming to NY is a plus. Crawford being reportedly interested is another big plus. PLAYING AGAINST TEAMS IN THE EAST is the another big plus.
To me, we've become an attractive destination for KD.
If Durant is making a decision based ON THE MAIN PIECES on OKC and NY that's what he's evaluating (not the complete supporting cast) which is near completion for NY.
So the Knicks ability to sign FAs with the available cap is a big plus. Noah being reportedly interested in coming to NY is a plus. Crawford being reportedly interested is another big plus. PLAYING AGAINST TEAMS IN THE EAST is the another big plus.
To me, we've become an attractive destination for KD.
It isn't better, either in fit or in production. KP might end up being great, but he's still a young player more promise then production. Westbrook is far and away the best player of any you named. Adams is a stud defensive C who just erupted in the playoffs. It's hard to make a case that Rose is a better player then Olapido at this stage in his career, almost impossible really. Then you take into account that there still is Kanter, Payne, Robertson- the Thunder are infinitely deeper. As far as Crawford- he's still a serviceable player but on no planet is KD gonna pick a team where Jamal Crawford is playing.
Durant recognized that KP is a unicorn. In terms of value, the Thunder would get laughed at if they tried to trade VO for KP. I honestly dont think you'd trade KP for Westbrook because of cost control and age (Westbrook is obviously better). KP is a guy people are going to affirmatively want to play with. Oladipo is a "and we also have Oladipo" guy. Outstanding defender. Couldnt play with a PG in Elf, and it's not at all clear whether he's a guy who has to dominate the ball to be all that he can be (which is a problem because he isnt in the class of great on-ball guards). He's a Robin who is uncomfortable in that role. He's also wildly inconsistent.
KP's path to stardom is clear. Whereas I wouldnt bet on Oladipo ever being the #2 man on a finals team. More likely the #4 man.
Whatever. I was trying to be pessimistic. That even makes my point further. Returning to OKC just does not make sense from a bball perspective when looking at all options.
Quote:
Melo, Rose and KP is better than the Westbrook, Adams and Kanter/Oladipo.
If Durant is making a decision based ON THE MAIN PIECES on OKC and NY that's what he's evaluating (not the complete supporting cast) which is near completion for NY.
So the Knicks ability to sign FAs with the available cap is a big plus. Noah being reportedly interested in coming to NY is a plus. Crawford being reportedly interested is another big plus. PLAYING AGAINST TEAMS IN THE EAST is the another big plus.
To me, we've become an attractive destination for KD.
It isn't better, either in fit or in production. KP might end up being great, but he's still a young player more promise then production. Westbrook is far and away the best player of any you named. Adams is a stud defensive C who just erupted in the playoffs. It's hard to make a case that Rose is a better player then Olapido at this stage in his career, almost impossible really. Then you take into account that there still is Kanter, Payne, Robertson- the Thunder are infinitely deeper. As far as Crawford- he's still a serviceable player but on no planet is KD gonna pick a team where Jamal Crawford is playing.
Roberson, Waiters, Payne (who barely played and was more a cheerleader), etc doesn't make them indinitely deeper. The Knicks are waiting for other pieces to fall. But Galloway, Thomas and others will be brought back.
Westbrook is the only clearly better player. Melo and KP are much, much better than Kanter/Oladipo and Adams. It's not even close.
The problem you're basing it on your own bias.
Then you have Westbrook and Adams vs Melo and Rose in terms of other players of value.
Then factor in coaching staff, GM, and ability to attract future free agents?
I may be biased, but I think the Knicks have the edge there.
KP gets the edge over Oladipo.
Westbrook vs Melo isn't very close. Rose is better than Adams by a decent amount, but the question is if he can return to past form. Or stay on the court. Because if not, then that's much closer, if not a win for OKC.
Coaching staff is an unknown, but I would tilt it towards OKC given Donovan's first year. GM has to go to OKC - Presti is a fucking magician.
Ability to attract free agents seems to be more of a function of the roster for top players. They're getting the max anyway, and the market has less effect for them.
OKC can offer more money.
Saying the Knicks' situation is better than OKC's is extremely biased. Probably the biggest advantage the Knicks have is being in the East.
Quote:
Oladipo and KP are probably close to a wash in terms of value.
Then you have Westbrook and Adams vs Melo and Rose in terms of other players of value.
Then factor in coaching staff, GM, and ability to attract future free agents?
I may be biased, but I think the Knicks have the edge there.
KP gets the edge over Oladipo.
Westbrook vs Melo isn't very close. Rose is better than Adams by a decent amount, but the question is if he can return to past form. Or stay on the court. Because if not, then that's much closer, if not a win for OKC.
Coaching staff is an unknown, but I would tilt it towards OKC given Donovan's first year. GM has to go to OKC - Presti is a fucking magician.
Ability to attract free agents seems to be more of a function of the roster for top players. They're getting the max anyway, and the market has less effect for them.
OKC can offer more money.
Saying the Knicks' situation is better than OKC's is extremely biased. Probably the biggest advantage the Knicks have is being in the East.
Rose played 66 games last year despite entering the year coming off two major injuries. For comparison's sake, KP played 72 games last year, and no one even thinks of him being injured at all last year. The further away he gets the stronger he'll be. That's the optimistic take at least.
I think giving Donovan the coaching nod is generous. Thunder fans weren't particularly thrilled with him early in the year. I'm also admittedly very bullish on Horny.
The other factor which you didn't address, is that in 2017, even with Durant, we'll have room for another Max. So will the thunder of course, but OKC has had trouble attracting people there in the past. That's unlikely to change.
Don't forget, we're only 3 years away from Presti trading Harden for cents on the dollar because they didn't want to pay him.
Quote:
In comment 13009222 Jon in NYC said:
Quote:
Oladipo and KP are probably close to a wash in terms of value.
Then you have Westbrook and Adams vs Melo and Rose in terms of other players of value.
Then factor in coaching staff, GM, and ability to attract future free agents?
I may be biased, but I think the Knicks have the edge there.
KP gets the edge over Oladipo.
Westbrook vs Melo isn't very close. Rose is better than Adams by a decent amount, but the question is if he can return to past form. Or stay on the court. Because if not, then that's much closer, if not a win for OKC.
Coaching staff is an unknown, but I would tilt it towards OKC given Donovan's first year. GM has to go to OKC - Presti is a fucking magician.
Ability to attract free agents seems to be more of a function of the roster for top players. They're getting the max anyway, and the market has less effect for them.
OKC can offer more money.
Saying the Knicks' situation is better than OKC's is extremely biased. Probably the biggest advantage the Knicks have is being in the East.
Rose played 66 games last year despite entering the year coming off two major injuries. For comparison's sake, KP played 72 games last year, and no one even thinks of him being injured at all last year. The further away he gets the stronger he'll be. That's the optimistic take at least.
I think giving Donovan the coaching nod is generous. Thunder fans weren't particularly thrilled with him early in the year. I'm also admittedly very bullish on Horny.
The other factor which you didn't address, is that in 2017, even with Durant, we'll have room for another Max. So will the thunder of course, but OKC has had trouble attracting people there in the past. That's unlikely to change.
Don't forget, we're only 3 years away from Presti trading Harden for cents on the dollar because they didn't want to pay him.
Not sure how true that is, or how secure. What if Rose is falling apart? Then the max comes out of not renewing him.
And even if he does stay healthy, what's his cap hold next year? I'm not well-versed enough on the cap to know what effect that has.
Quote:
In comment 13009282 Aspano! said:
Quote:
In comment 13009222 Jon in NYC said:
Quote:
Oladipo and KP are probably close to a wash in terms of value.
Then you have Westbrook and Adams vs Melo and Rose in terms of other players of value.
Then factor in coaching staff, GM, and ability to attract future free agents?
I may be biased, but I think the Knicks have the edge there.
KP gets the edge over Oladipo.
Westbrook vs Melo isn't very close. Rose is better than Adams by a decent amount, but the question is if he can return to past form. Or stay on the court. Because if not, then that's much closer, if not a win for OKC.
Coaching staff is an unknown, but I would tilt it towards OKC given Donovan's first year. GM has to go to OKC - Presti is a fucking magician.
Ability to attract free agents seems to be more of a function of the roster for top players. They're getting the max anyway, and the market has less effect for them.
OKC can offer more money.
Saying the Knicks' situation is better than OKC's is extremely biased. Probably the biggest advantage the Knicks have is being in the East.
Rose played 66 games last year despite entering the year coming off two major injuries. For comparison's sake, KP played 72 games last year, and no one even thinks of him being injured at all last year. The further away he gets the stronger he'll be. That's the optimistic take at least.
I think giving Donovan the coaching nod is generous. Thunder fans weren't particularly thrilled with him early in the year. I'm also admittedly very bullish on Horny.
The other factor which you didn't address, is that in 2017, even with Durant, we'll have room for another Max. So will the thunder of course, but OKC has had trouble attracting people there in the past. That's unlikely to change.
Don't forget, we're only 3 years away from Presti trading Harden for cents on the dollar because they didn't want to pay him.
Not sure how true that is, or how secure. What if Rose is falling apart? Then the max comes out of not renewing him.
And even if he does stay healthy, what's his cap hold next year? I'm not well-versed enough on the cap to know what effect that has.
It will be close. The cap is jumping another 13M after this season, so if they just add Durant this year, they would have enough. If they added Noah and Durant, they would probably have to get a little creative with Rose's deal if they chose to re-sign him.
Well they certainly could get close if they worked at it.
Either way, a Rose-Durant-Melo-KP-Noah
roster probably doesn't need a ton of work. Assuming health is good, that's a monster team.
Quote:
have room for another max next year if they sign Durant. Durant's max I believe is around 28M, Rose's cap hold is 21.3M, plus 30.3 from other salaries, plus 4.5M for KP's team option. That's 84.1M. That doesn't include salaries for Galloway or Thomas if they come back (assume 3M each, which would add another 6M). Another max doesn't fit.
Well they certainly could get close if they worked at it.
Either way, a Rose-Durant-Melo-KP-Noah
roster probably doesn't need a ton of work. Assuming health is good, that's a monster team.
Not really. The only option would be to stretch KOQ or trade him, and even then it's only 4M.
Quote:
In comment 13009328 Aspano! said:
Quote:
have room for another max next year if they sign Durant. Durant's max I believe is around 28M, Rose's cap hold is 21.3M, plus 30.3 from other salaries, plus 4.5M for KP's team option. That's 84.1M. That doesn't include salaries for Galloway or Thomas if they come back (assume 3M each, which would add another 6M). Another max doesn't fit.
Well they certainly could get close if they worked at it.
Either way, a Rose-Durant-Melo-KP-Noah
roster probably doesn't need a ton of work. Assuming health is good, that's a monster team.
Not really. The only option would be to stretch KOQ or trade him, and even then it's only 4M.
Plus the 13 they would come in with. 17M. Then if you re-sign Rose to a deal with escalators that's another way to clear up space.
And that's not even mentioning that escalators don't really exist in the NBA.
Right now the only contracts the Knicks have on the books for next year are Carmelo, Porzingis, and O'Quinn. Those 3 total up to $34.8 million. The cap hold for Rose is $22.4 million. Add all of that with ~$28 mil for Durant and they are at $85.2 million in committed salaries towards an estimated cap of $107m.
If they can move O'Quinn, which you wouldn't think should be too hard, and they would have about $26m to work with. This is all going by data on sportrac, so assuming that is correct.
And again, that's assuming Galloway and Thomas are both off the roster. It's not gonna work.
He's probably already a top 10 SG. He didn't get any spacing in Orlando. Just watch, he will become an above average 3 point shooter, elite defender, and playmaker.
And that's not even mentioning that escalators don't really exist in the NBA.
Escalators 100% do exist in the NBA. In fact, every single player on the Knicks has one.
Link - ( New Window )
In the meantime, Knick fans at least get to enjoy a competitive season with Rose, Melo, KP, and whatever big man Phil signs. Hopefully Gasol not the incredibly overrated Noah.
Or maybe he's just being nice to Melo so it doesn't seem he doesn't want to sniff his friend's team.