However, the 28th pick would almost ensure our ability to acquire, DJO and Jared Cunningham as candidates. Our assets include
New York Knicks Assets
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Our biggest problem would be our inability acquire talent to add to our core. Needing the FULL MLE to use, LLE, and being over the tax bracket takes away this ability. With our cap situation, we must be under the tax bracket even if we win the bird rights case with Lin/Novak, so we can still have the MLE and LLE to spend. Somehow if we can manage to use our MLE
for this summer and the next year after, and with our 2013 1st round pick, we would be able to assemble a playoff caliber team.
1) Draft Rights to both Giorgos Printezis and Ahmad Nivins (rights to players that we acquired from The Dallas Mavericks as part of the Tyson Chandler trade)
2) Iman Shumpert he has a lot of upside and high ceiling. I think he is almost untouchable had he not blown out both knees and had the injury not look as serious as it was.
He still is young and has the chance to recover, with a chance to become one of the leagues elite lock down defenders in the future.
3) JR Smith, no one can deny that is still one of the streakiest shooters in the league. However, he is very talented, athletic, and has good all around skills to go with his
abilities. He is an ideal 6th man for many teams and is a solid defender to go with his ability to create his own shot. He is quite versatile, with the ability to defend
PGs, SGs, and SFs. He is older now and much more mature, not a head case like he once was. He has a good handle while he should be used as a 2nd or 3rd ball handler, not the #1
ball handler/facilitator that he was forced to play because of our injuries in the playoffs. He is well worth more than his 2.5m contract and is a good stoppage 6th man for OKC
or many teams that are championship/playoff contenders, like for Memphis(allowing OJ Mayo to be traded for picks), Clippers, Lakers, and Miami Heat. Manu Ginobili would be in the
market after next season, if OKC decides that Harden would cost too much as a max player playing the 6th man role. A player of JR Smith's caliber and contract would allow
OKC to get many great offers for Harden.
4) Fields is a SF, that fits uptempo basketball, with players that are willing to move the basketball. He is improved much since his rookie year but is playing a position at SG that
does not fit well with his skills and Carmelo Anthony. He still has the ability to improve his shot, something he can learn with his worth ethic.
5) The rest of our roster that has less value, but teams could have interest in buying low for
1) Jorts a backup Center with the ability to hit the 3point shot and play solid man to man defense
2) Novak *if we win early bird rights* not sure if we can S&T him, but he is still one of the best pure shooters in league*
3) Jeffries (do we own his early bird rights?) One of the best backup F/C with team defense and 110% HEART
4) Jerome Jordan never got a real chance to play much with the Knicks but seems to have the potential to be a decent back up Center with legit size.
He is still very raw and could be a stashed to be teams project while playing a 3rd option center for next year.
Jordan has shown some post moves, decent help defense with blocks/rebounds, and the ability to hit a 17footer.
5) TD *he had a horrible year but teams may still buy low for his services*
He is not a PG and cannot be a facilitator but he can be a deadly 3point shooter. He has a the ability to be a good defender and is a gym rat.
Like many players in the past in New York, he just find a role on another team once he is moved, not being able to play the pressure of playing in New York.
With the right players, system, coaching, and a confidence boost, he can be very nice rotation player.
For instance, if he played OKC or Heat, he wouldn't be asked to facilitate and play the PG on offense. IN OKC With Harden, Westbrook, Durant / HEAT Lebron or Wade
With all the attention that those "STARS" get on the teams, TD would fit with the 2nd unit, he would just need to hit his 3point shot, spread the floor, and play solid defense.
6/11/2012 2:58 AM
