Comments on: Knicks Morning News (2026.09.07)

By: BrunsonPeroneusLongus

BrunsonPeroneusLongus — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:59:05 +0000

And a good as Brunson is and as much as he has “sacrificed”, no one is gonna pay him anywhere close to $70M a year for his age 34 season.

Mr Curry would like to have a word with you.

By: BrunsonPeroneusLongus

BrunsonPeroneusLongus — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:51:22 +0000

I’d be interested to find out which team is gonna make it worthwhile for KAT to have opted out of that $62M option.

The Warriors 100% after next season.

By: Early Bird Writes

Early Bird Writes — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 04:47:21 +0000

There’s at least a line of thinking that says we didn’t miss a beat when OG was out during the playoffs and Mikal can step up to fill much of the same role for cheaper.

But I’d argue our roster is set to absorb the loss of Mikal much more easily. We have Shamet, Deuce, and Alvarado who can defend the PoA and smaller wings. We don’t have anyone on that level who can reliably play the 4, unless Diawara makes a big year 2 leap.

By: Early Bird Writes

Early Bird Writes — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 04:39:36 +0000

Mo Diawara averaged 5.3 rebs/36 and 0.3 blks/36. He has the length, but he doesn’t bring the skills you look for in a center. It’d take a lot of work to make the sort of improvements needed to play center.

I wouldn’t trust Diawara defending elite PFs. I think he’s better as an off-ball defender to eat up court space with his length and rotate to the rim when the C is pulled away.

By: Z-man

Z-man — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 02:42:47 +0000

Rebounding is a very hard thing to work on. I think that is why it translates so well from the lower levels, e.g. NCAA. Obviously you can learn how to box out, anticipate caroms, use tipping techniques, but lousy rebounders rarely become good ones, just less lousy.

I think Mo can evolve into a very switchable wing, especially since he seems to have a pretty good handle and court vision. He’s still only 21, so maybe his base fills out a bit and he can handle bigger, stronger, longer 4’s going forward. If OG was out for a couple of weeks and he had to play PF against the likes of Giannis, Mobley, LeBron, Banchero, etc. he will likely have a rough go. But hell, I hope Brown throws him in there for lots of reps early on to see if what he can handle.

As for OG, I agree he can certainly play C a few minutes a game, but I don’t like to see him there all that much. It’s a big ask for a guy who plays the way he does, and it takes him away from defending other players.

By: ess-dog

ess-dog — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 01:52:20 +0000

I don’t think Mo has the physical profile of a C.

Honestly, Mo would probably defend the 4 in most lineups anyway. OG already has a lot of experience defending centers quite well and has played there in a pinch. In fact, Brown might prefer him there during playoff games if Drummond or whoever are the other options. As long as we don’t wear him down before the playoffs.

The main issue with an OG/Mo frontcourt is very limited rebounding, but hopefully Mo can work on that.

By: Z-man

Z-man — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 01:45:24 +0000

Selling high on players is really tough. That is especially true when the players have recently been pivotal members of the franchise’s first championship team in 53 years. I just don’t know how to replace either guy. I think that unless KAT agrees to a reasonable number, Leon is going to defer that decision as long as possible, even to the point of risking that KAT will walk. I hate to put it in these terms, but Leon should call any bluff that KAT’s agent throws his way. If they insist on a big number, Leon should tell them that he understands and politely hang up the phone. I’d be interested to find out which team is gonna make it worthwhile for KAT to have opted out of that $62M option.

Once the KAT situation is resolved, then you can think about OG. He doesn’t even become extension eligible until July 6, and by then we’ll know the deal with KAT.

By: Knick fan not in NJ

Knick fan not in NJ — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 01:27:36 +0000

I don’t know about OG being the one. I think it depends on who we can replace with another great player. That could be OG, but not necessarily. Since we are allergic to first round draft picks, I’m not sure where that replacement will come from. Next year our first round pick goes to Brooklyn, so our best shot at a useful player from the draft is Washington’s second rounder. We are good now, but León will have to do some magic to set us up for the future when this group gets old.

By: Alan

Alan — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:54:29 +0000

OG has the most iconic shot in Knicks’ history, but I feel like whenever Leon decides he has to break up the band to set the team up for some kind of future success in the Fuck Dem Picks era, OG is going to be the one he moves. He makes more than Bridges, but assuming he stays healthy, his trade value will also be much higher.

By: Z-man

Z-man — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:15:46 +0000

$50M is fair if he opts out, but not ideal. I would mildly disagree that he could get $55M from a contender with the current cap restrictions, but who knows?