Comments on: Knicks Morning News (2018.06.18)

By: Z-man

Z-man — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 22:07:26 +0000

Maybe the Knicks are leaking that Trae had a bad workout to discourage other teams from picking him…

By: iserp

iserp — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 10:16:06 +0000

If that’s the case, and I think it’s hard to believe those rumors are actually true, I don’t see why teams like Chicago or Philly wouldn’t make better offers than the Knicks could, or even Dallas. It’s been a very weird pre-draft period for sure.

Philly isnt goint to take on 20 millions now that is a contender and can sign free agents (like Lebron). What player does chicago have that Memphis might want? Certainly not Lopez or Asik, because Memphis has Gasol, and they dont have many other high salary players to make the deal work. And is Dallas really going to take on salary to rise one position in the draft?

THJ might not be great, but at least is healthy and young, and can fill certain role in their team if Memphis is trying to compete for the next two years. #9 also lets them add a wing. But I really believe that this deal must be done before the draft, if Luka falls to #4, they will draft him. Besides, with Gasol in the team (who loves Memphis), I dont think they will have trouble convincing Luka to go there.

By: Bruno Almeida

Bruno Almeida — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 05:52:12 +0000

The Doncic is dropping talk also probably has to do with the rumors that he doesn’t want to go to a small market team, and all the top 4 teams are super small markets. The wild card in this situation is if Memphis wants to move out precisely because they feel Phoenix is picking Ayton and both Sacramento and Atlanta are passing on Doncic because of this. Then they would be stuck with one of Bamba / Bagley / JJJ when they probably would much rather draft a wing player.

If that’s the case, and I think it’s hard to believe those rumors are actually true, I don’t see why teams like Chicago or Philly wouldn’t make better offers than the Knicks could, or even Dallas. It’s been a very weird pre-draft period for sure.

By: Donnie Walsh

Donnie Walsh — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 05:29:47 +0000

BTW, isn’t LT’s deal for one more guaranteed and a team option for next?

No team option, but if he’s waived before 2020, I guess he doesn’t have to be paid the final $6mil.

So, a $6mil savings that comes after Chandler Parsons is already expired in exchange for the #4? Sounds like a pretty weak offer to me.

By: Knick fan not in NJ at this time

Knick fan not in NJ at this time — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 05:11:14 +0000

The draft interest in Doncic is weird. On the Zach Lowe draft podcast, Mike Givorny of draft express said that GMs are behind coaches in their appreciation what kinds of players are valuable in the modern NBA. A lot of them still want big men who can score. And Phoenix seems set on Ayton, and Sacramento set on Bagley, so Doncic is then number 3 at the highest possible for him. I would be surprised if Atlanta doesn’t pick though.

By: ClashFan

ClashFan — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 05:09:58 +0000

Oops…in earlier post I meant Sacramento (now rumored to be taking Bagley)…

BTW, isn’t LT’s deal for one more guaranteed and a team option for next?

By: Donnie Walsh

Donnie Walsh — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 04:57:59 +0000

Lee is more realistic. Bridges is the young player they want. Lee is a useful bonus. He makes $36mm less than Parsons and can play.

Lee makes $26m less. And to make salaries work out, they’d need to include Lance Thomas who adds an additional 3 years of uselessness. So, again, no relief.

Is a healthy Lee/Thomas combination better than just rolling the dice that Chandler Parsons is able to cobble together a mostly healthy season or two at the same production, and just hang onto the #4 pick?

If the Knicks had the #4 pick and traded it to dump Joakim Noah, only to bring back the same amount of cruddy contracts in return, I’d be pretty upset. (Actually, I’d feel pretty good knowing that all is right in the world:)

By: ClashFan

ClashFan — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 04:56:41 +0000

I agree that Doncic will not be there at 4. I’d be just shocked if he gets past Phoenix and Atlanta (however, some sources are now saying that Bagley is going to go 2nd).

However, I’d still do that pick + Parsons contract for THJ/Lee and fodder to match salaries (Mudiay?) before the draft. Then talk to other teams to prepare for Doncic not being there on draft night. Maybe a team in the 6-8 range covets someone and would give us something to swap picks.

Worst comes to worst, take the next best player on your board, and it better not be Kevin Knox.

That trade is not going to happen, of course, but no harm in fun speculating to fill the time until draft night.

By: ess-dog

ess-dog — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 04:27:57 +0000

Let’s just pick 9th and not screw it up, k? Thanks.

On that topic, I’m surprised so many people “out there” are so damn high on Knox.

By: Knick fan not in NJ at this time

Knick fan not in NJ at this time — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 04:17:54 +0000

It depends on what Memphis wants, which is unclear. If they want salary relief, they aren’t going to get it from NY, but I am sure other teams are making offers. If they want a contender THJ and number 9 might be the best they can get. They can’t have it both ways.