Comments on: Knicks Morning News (2018.12.15)

By: Bruno Almeida

Bruno Almeida — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 19:13:16 +0000

I think it definitely is, as I think Knox’s perceived value around the league is high. I’d do that trade easily without Robinson included, but I like Lillard more than most people do.

By: thenoblefacehumper

thenoblefacehumper — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 17:15:46 +0000

The best case scenario for me is drafting Zion and getting Durant, then flipping Knox for a starting guard, but that’s even more unlikely.

Maybe Knox, Mitch Rob, THJ, and a first would be enough for Lillard? Not saying I would do it but it’s probably what we’d need to put up to be competitive for him.

By: Bruno Almeida

Bruno Almeida — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 17:09:30 +0000

@83

If we start next season with Morant + Durant I would count that as a huge success. There are concerns of course with this roster’s depth, how KD is gonna age, if Morant’s production in college will translate, how KP will return etc, but it’s close to a best case scenario.

The best case scenario for me is drafting Zion and getting Durant, then flipping Knox for a starting guard, but that’s even more unlikely.

By: ess-dog

ess-dog — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 16:52:59 +0000

On the Westchester site, Trevon Bluiett is listed as having a two-way. Interesting. He definitely had some moments in college, but he’s pretty old. Better than Hicks though.

By: thenoblefacehumper

thenoblefacehumper — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 16:46:58 +0000

I wouldn’t mind seeing Kadeem Allen get the other 2-way slot. I doubt he’ll amount to much but his numbers at Arizona weren’t terrible and he’s been pretty damn good with the Westies this season.

Also, with nothing better to do while brutally hungover on a Sunday morning I put together a best case scenario of sorts for the Knicks next season and going forward:

Ja Morant (rookie scale for the 4th pick–4/$31.7M)
THJ (2/$37M remaining, yuck)
Durant (4/$162.5M)
Knox (3/$14.1M remaining until RFA)
KP (5/$156.6M…I know it’s happening but I’m never going to be fully comfortable with this)
Mitch Rob (3/$5.02M remaining)
Dotson (RFA after next year at $1.6M)
Ntilikina (2/$11M until RFA)
Vonleh (room exception–2/$9.9M)
Trier (1/$3.5M team option and then RFA)

-Courtney Lee is traded for expirings
-Every FA excepted KP and Vonleh is renounced
-The other roster spots can go to second round picks, etc.

It’s definitely not a bad team. We wouldn’t have any real cap space for a while aside from the MLE in the summer of 2020. Could it make the finals in the East? Maybe if you project pretty aggressive improvement from KP, Mitch Rob, Frank, etc.

Overall I’d be happy with it.

By: alsep73

alsep73 — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 16:32:33 +0000

Lance Thomas, Trey Burke, and Frank Ntilikina are all available to play tonight. Damyean Dotson is out.

Rotations could be very weird tonight.

By: Z-man

Z-man — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 16:28:26 +0000

So we have 52 games left. We should go 14-38 but I’m starting to “worry” that we’re going to go something like 17-35 to wind up 26-56 and in the 6th lottery slot. I don’t really see 17 wins on the schedule, but the Charlotte win was the kind of win that can happen against lots of teams. Ane while I don’t think KP will mean more that a couple of extra wins, it does feel like the team is starting to gel a bit.

By: alsep73

alsep73 — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 16:08:54 +0000

Jenkins isn’t eligible. Too much nba playing time already.

By: ess-dog

ess-dog — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 15:50:24 +0000

So who gets the 2nd two way contract now that Trier is signed? Jenkins is tearing up the Gleague, but idk if he can do anything but make three pointers (something that would actually help out a lot if we wanted to win games).

By: Bruno Almeida

Bruno Almeida — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 15:42:22 +0000

Ernie Grunfeld has managed to survive an incredible 15 years while making some of the dumbest moves I’ve seen, so if someone understands survival as a GM, that’s the guy.