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A two-year stint in Golden State would have seemed short given the melodrama surrounding Durant's exit from Oklahoma City. Three approaches LeBron-in-Miami territory. Win another ring, and Durant might feel he has accomplished what he set out to do. He's 30, at the height of his powers, free to choose his destination. He's not going back to Oklahoma City. I'd be dumbfounded if he joined LeBron. He must know the Warriors will always be Curry's team. The social media slights will never stop as long as Durant is there. People who know Durant say part of him must crave the challenge of being the undisputed alpha dog and lead ball handler -- of putting up a 32-10-8 stat line. Some of those same people wonder if he is a little scared of that challenge. A normal human would feel both of those things. But whoever revives the Knicks will become legend. They have a young co-star in Kristaps Porzingis who could take on more of the scoring burden as Durant ages. Durant doesn't have to do this now. He can sign another one-year deal, chase a ring in the Chase Center, and hit free agency again. On the flip side, if he moves to a downtrodden franchise, he might have to ink a longer-term deal as a display of commitment to other stars who might join. Is he OK with that? |
I might even take the under at 15.5. The Knicks are going to be bad, snare another high pick, and bank on free agents -- i.e., Durant -- assuming Porzingis recovers to full strength.
New York trades Courtney Lee
They've been trying, sources say. With Lee on the books, the Knicks can carve out about $30 million in room depending on where they draft -- that's about $8 million short of Durant's max, and $3 million below the max for a player with between seven and nine years of experience.
They would prefer not to sacrifice a second-round pick in shedding Lee's $12.7 million salary for 2019-20. That is going to be harder than you'd think, and maybe harder than it should be. New York needs to find a playoff team that values Lee's on-court contributions more than the cap space it would sacrifice to get him.
Example: Lee to Utah for Alec Burks, on an $11 million expiring deal. The Jazz have hoarded potential space for this summer, but what are their odds of luring anyone better than Lee? They might stay over the cap to re-sign their own free agents, anyway. But they are so deep in wings, it might not be worth the trouble.
Lee to New Orleans for Alexis Ajinca and Darius Miller worked until New Orleans dealt Ajinca to the Clippers. Lee wouldn't close the Pellies' hole at small forward, but he's better than Miller (and Wesley Johnson.)
The more radical move for New York: shopping Tim Hardaway Jr. Good luck.
"They would prefer not to sacrifice a second-round pick in shedding Lee's $12.7 million salary for 2019-20. "
because if Durant signaled he'd come here for the max the Knicks wouldn't think twice about forfeiting a 2nd rounder to move Lee.
Well, I mean to be fair, it was inevitable that Lyndon Johnson would visit Los Alamos.
There is a 0% chance the Knicks are good this year. There is no scenario they are a "winner". If KP were healthy then sure, a jump to Dirk status would potentially accomplish that. The Knicks are going to be bad. If they win 30 games it will be an upset.
B) March
C) April
D) May
E) I will watch the entire season because it will be entertaining to watch young players develop
F) I will not watch at all due to a challenged roster
B) March
C) April
D) May
E) I will watch the entire season because it will be entertaining to watch young players develop
F) I will not watch at all due to a challenged roster
November
Another interesting tidbit from that article. JR Smith and George Hill make a combined 33 mill this year but only guaranteed 4mill next season. I would love to ship THJ and/or Lee there to dump salary. Obviously would waive those guys or trade them elsewhere.
I’d just love the Knicks to be fully armed with enough cap space for Durant and all of or close to another max spot. Would also help with the tank in securing a top 3 pick. I really hope Mills/ Perry aren’t stubborn about Hardaway and send him packing.
WHen did you even become a Knicks fan? Anyway, this isn’t the year.
B) March
C) April
D) May
E) I will watch the entire season because it will be entertaining to watch young players develop
F) I will not watch at all due to a challenged roster
A and E for me.
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But I need a fucking winner. RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish be damned, I want to see at least one of my teams not be a complete embarrassment.
WHen did you even become a Knicks fan? Anyway, this isn’t the year.
Like 1997?