Just my opinion:
RJ Barrett - great mentality/approach that should help to maximize his talents and minimize his shortcomings. I think a Demar Derozon projection is reasonable, even if a little optimistic. Thibs is perfect for Barrett.
Mitch Robinson - massively underrated BIG (because of the team he's been on). There are very few young BIGs in the NBA I'd take over him. Upside is limitless and now he's got a coach that should allow for major growth.
Frank Ntlikina - Again, Thibs is the perfect guy to capitalize on the type of player Ntilikina should be, like a Thabo Sefolosha or Garrett Temple type (smart, responsible, defensive oriented bench wing). Not a sexy projection, but useful.
I like vets Gibson and Bullock for their bench roles.
Young players with modest upside and the kind of reputations in terms of their intangibles to allow some optimism: Wooten, Brazdeikas, Harper.
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Hard to imagine Kevin Knox (soft, confidence too easily broken) or DSJ (low IQ, lazy as the day is long, poor shooter, selfish) doing anything to get their careers on track.
Goners: I expect Portis, Ellington, Payton will see NYK team options declined. Harkless is a 3 and D guy without the 3. That's $40mm coming off.
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The elephant in the room is Julius Randle. he was awful this past year but that's what happens when you have NO legit/primary ball handlers on the team and you ask a guy who has no business leading the offense to do so. If he isn't traded e.g. part of a CP3 trade, Thibs has had success with a somewhat similar player albeit in a different era (Carlos Boozer).
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Plan if I were in charge:
Draft:
Lottery: Deni Avdija - 6'9" 215, shooting has improved, playmaking wing who can defend. Best thing about him is his personality/approach (see everything I said about RJ Barrett).
LAC pick: Guard Grant Riller - poor man's (maybe not that poor) CJ McCollum_. Love this kid's grit and offensive game.
2nd rounder: Xavier Tillman. A 22 year old Taj Gibson who is likely to be underrated in this draft.
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Free agency:
Fred Vanvleet 4 x $25mm
Frank Jackson 3 x $8mm
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 1 x $5mm
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Roster (minutes):
PG: FVV (32), Jackson (16), Riller, Harper
SG: RJB (32), Ntilikina (16)
SF: Avdija (24), Bullock (14), RHJ (10)
PF: Randle if not traded (30), Tillman (18), Brazdeikas
C: Mitch (30), Gibson (18), Wooten
Woodson apparently had the best interview of all candidates interviewed
I agree on the holdovers from last year. RJ/Mitch/Frank are obvious, and Taj and Bullock are good rotation pieces. I'd also be open to Dotson returning, and Knox has no trade value so keep him for another year. If it were me I'd sign a wing shooter (Joe Harris, if at all possible), and draft a lead guard and pretty much call it a day for this offseason. However, drafting Deni and signing or trading for a guard is very much an option. I have no faith in DSJ, but if Thibs wants to give him a shot, more power to him.
I like Jackson's projection a lot and he is only 22, has some position versatility (6'3", very strong, plus athlete, has played on/off the ball).
I'd give up DSJ for a ham sandwich. For Monk? Not sure. Might be a "shit for crap" transaction.
He's also a PG and the Knicks haven't been strong at that position since...1973?
He's also a PG and the Knicks haven't been strong at that position since...1973?
I am not trying to be argumentative and it's certainly possible that you are more right than me on this but I am often confused when I see descriptions like "supremely talented". To me he's like the guard version of Nerlens Noel. Can he jump well? Sure, exceptionally well. Is he subpar in every other category (IQ, work rate, instincts, shooting, facilitating, defense etc.)? Yep.
He may be the worst player in the league right now. Literally does not do a single thing well.
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He is maddening to watch sometimes but not ready to count him out just yet.
He may be the worst player in the league right now. Literally does not do a single thing well.
i am not arguing any of that, but i am willing to give him 1 more year
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In comment 14939176 nygiants16 said:
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He is maddening to watch sometimes but not ready to count him out just yet.
He may be the worst player in the league right now. Literally does not do a single thing well.
i am not arguing any of that, but i am willing to give him 1 more year
I agree. I will say that I am more cynical about DSJ ever "righting the ship" than KK.
That's my take on him. He doesn't have that killer instinct so to speak. He's timid.
I don't see the appeal for the Bulls. Randle is repetitive with Carter Jr and Lauri, and it's a bust and two late firsts.
I remember seeing the day of the draft that the Knicks had strong interest in SGA. Fans on twitter lost it because on paper he sounded exactly like Frank which is also probably why the Knicks decided to take a wing where they had no one at all. Just another example of sunk cost fallacy. One mistake becomes a second, much larger one. Sigh
Just the other day someone with some inside info on here (Pete, I think?) mentioned that the Knicks like Deni but are concerned the fans will expect Luka-level impact if they draft him. Imagine that being a factor? If you like him and feel he's BPA, take him.
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I remember seeing the day of the draft that the Knicks had strong interest in SGA. Fans on twitter lost it because on paper he sounded exactly like Frank which is also probably why the Knicks decided to take a wing where they had no one at all. Just another example of sunk cost fallacy. One mistake becomes a second, much larger one. Sigh
Just the other day someone with some inside info on here (Pete, I think?) mentioned that the Knicks like Deni but are concerned the fans will expect Luka-level impact if they draft him. Imagine that being a factor? If you like him and feel he's BPA, take him.
Knicks definitely like Deni, but are worried that fans here will expect Luca. Some of these guys are not that mentally tough, it is some with what happened with Knox, after they signed multiple players at this position.
The names to continue to watch are Kira Lewis Jr and Aaron Nesmith. Lewis' stock is rising. Take as you all want.
Hayes? they have interviewed him already
Where did you see this?
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I remember seeing the day of the draft that the Knicks had strong interest in SGA. Fans on twitter lost it because on paper he sounded exactly like Frank which is also probably why the Knicks decided to take a wing where they had no one at all. Just another example of sunk cost fallacy. One mistake becomes a second, much larger one. Sigh
Just the other day someone with some inside info on here (Pete, I think?) mentioned that the Knicks like Deni but are concerned the fans will expect Luka-level impact if they draft him. Imagine that being a factor? If you like him and feel he's BPA, take him.
Teams can't choose Player A over Player B if they think A is better but worried about fans expectations. That's the epitome of loser logic.
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Interesting to see Leon Rose apparently thinks this is a "2 player" top of the draft. Presumably one is Ball, I wonder who #2 is?
Where did you see this?
"The 2020 free-agent class and 2020 draft, to be held Oct. 15, has been viewed as weak. Knicks president Leon Rose said only two draft-eligible players “stand out” with parity existing thereafter. He was probably referring to coveted point guard LaMelo Ball and Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards. The Knicks are seeded sixth in the Aug. 20 lottery and could fall to No. 9 or 10."
Link - ( New Window )
But yeah we would have to give more then what ny16 posted. Im sure one or two of our own picks would have to be in there. Id still consider it, especially if we could say top 3 or 5 protect it.
Meanwhile, there is a group of perceived lower-upside prospects—Tyrese Haliburton, Isaac Okoro, Deni Avdija, Devin Vassell—who seem to fit with or plug a hole for everyone. And teams view them as high-floor, low-maintenance contributors with limited bust potential.
Certain teams may feel better about getting Avdija at No. 5 or Haliburton at No. 6—while acquiring an additional asset to move down—than drafting Edwards at No. 1 or 2.
The question is whether there will enough teams willing to trade an asset to move up. The belief is that if teams are looking to move up, it will be a franchise trying to land Ball. The New York Knicks are assumed to be interested in him. The Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic would also make sense as teams with needs for a passer and assets to trade.
Link - ( New Window )
But yeah we would have to give more then what ny16 posted. Im sure one or two of our own picks would have to be in there. Id still consider it, especially if we could say top 3 or 5 protect it.
woukd not give up rj, mitch or this yeara first for him
Seems like for a good FO the price to move up should be pretty small. So hopefully that doesnt mean we give up our first next year (unprotected) to move up like 3 spots for Ball, lol.
2. Are okay at times being glorified towel wavers (especially as the season goes on)
3. Have skills beyond scoring. I'm not going to lose my mind over Melo but I just don't think he makes sense. I think they should be looking at guys "like" Luc Mbah a Moute. I'd take them overpaying a guy like Pat Beverley if they felt it changed the vibe around the team. Props to Melo for the shape he's in, and I think he's a pretty good dude but I just don't see the fit here.
He is in incredible shape right now and watching a couple of scrimmages he looks quicker and playing better defense than i have ever seen him play..
If he is the only vet we bring in, i would be a little wary and i also think Randle needa to be traded for it to make sense