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 )
Sure if he's a short term/reasonable deal. Otherwise who really cares? If he wants say 4 years and he makes the Knicks better for 2, then what was accomplished? If he's a bandaid I'm in. if he's a major longer term (3+ year move) I hate it.
Assuming you are only resigning Rose because he was so good you neede to then the Knicks will not have money for Noah, Batum (max), Rose and Melo.
Final sentence 100% my concern. I despise this move if the idea is we can add Joakim Noah types and contend now that Rose is here.
Whether it was now or next year, at some point Lopez had to go. The long term position for Porzingis is at center. I forget who said it (probably Zach Lowe or Bill Simmons because that's who I listened to most recently), but Kristaps Porzingis was dropped from the heavens into our laps to be a stretch 5. This allows them to have a guy that can stretch the floor on the offensive end and still have an elite, 7'3" rim protector on the other end. So yes we could use depth at center so that Porzingis doesn't have to play down there 30+ minutes a night right now, but it's also not necessary to spend big money on a guy long term to play the 5.
As for the last sentence, why would taking a gamble on a guy on an expiring contract increase the chances of them going all in on older guys? Everything Jackson has done since he has been here has been in an effort to clear out the long term deals and go through a patient process. Unloading Calderon and Lopez goes right along with that. No long term commitment to a guy that was blocking KP, and no need to stretch Calderon and have dead money for 3 years.
Finally, Jackson will turn his attention to building a supporting cast and one former Knick emerging as a viable option is Jamal Crawford, the NBA's only three-time Sixth Man of Year.
Crawford, 36, has strong support within the Knicks organization and that feeling appears to be mutual.
"I'm not talking about any one team but everyone knows how I feel about New York," Crawford told The News. "I really enjoyed my time there."
A Noah, Crawford, Courtney Lee offseason would be a solid haul. Keep flexibility in 2017 and be competitive this year.
To be honest I don't see that many Knicks fans loving the trade. I would even say it is a very vocal minority praising the trade. Sport talk hosts who hated the idea a week ago are now saying oh yeah it will work out and how Phil has done a great job.
I take all of it with a grain of salt. Because just last year many of those same people dismissing Grant were calling him a draft steal for Phil last year at this time. Many of those called trading Chandler and Felton two years ago and getting Larkin and 2nd round pick to get another 'draft steal' Early. Now all those guys are gone or just considered afterthoughts in less than two years.
Crawford is a quintessential combo guard off the bench. He can back up the 1 or 2 pretty well. Wouldn't want him starting at the 2 though.
And I would sign up for Noah at 3-40 right now. Even 3-45.
I don't think Phil has any intention of signing him longterm for exactly the reason you mention. Rose would have to be the old Derrick Rose for that to happen.
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.
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.