But there is no reason not to either. It seems like arguing just for the sake of arguing. (which I guess is what I am doing)

Yes, the reason is that they can choose not to waive him if no free agent wants to come here and thus avoid being stuck paying Noah $6.5 million in 2020 and 2021. That would be the preferable course of action if no major free agent wanted to come sign here next year. If they waited until finding out if a major free agent wanted to come sign here next year, then they would have the freedom to choose which option to take, instead of committing to one choice now when they didn’t have to.

The gist is that since it doesn’t affect their cap or their finances to do it now as opposed to next July, then there was no reason to do it now (outside of assuring a roster spot for some marginal back of the roster player).

He doesn’t want to stay home? Ok, sit on the bench and collect DNP – coach’s decisions. A team can’t possibly be punished by choosing to not give minutes to a specific player. Then if he’s so disruptive in practice and the locker room, it’s the Knicks who are now justified to send him away.

But well, it’s done, it’s fitting that another terrible Phil Jackson decision will still haunt us for a while.

We always talk.about the big names of today when we discuss free agents. Maybe Durant aside, players like Irving and Leonard will command a max contract that probably don’t give value for money in the latter years of the contract. I think we should think about younger players who might have a breakout season this coming year. I think one such possibility is Kelly Oubre. He is just turning 23 and his stats and minutes have been improving significantly every year. If he improves again this year, I would be happier with him than with some other names we have talked about.

If they can’t get a max guy, then yes, looking for value contracts is a smart use of their cap space. I doubt it happens, but it would be nice to see.

What about Kawhi?

I’m holding off on Kawhi until after we see him get through a season. I could swear that at one point during the controversy I read that his injury was a degenerative condition. Then that story kind of died without any denial that I ever saw. He may be an even greater injury risk than Irving.