fishmike wrote:We really need help at guard. I really like Lopez, especially next to KP. KOQ is a good big off the bench and I prefer him at C over PF. Essentially I dont see many FA bigs that make much sense for us. There isnt a clear upgrade at C, we have the PF of the future right now and we have Melo at the 3.

The only two guys that jump out at me ar Derozan and Batum. Ill pass on Derozan. He's just too streaky and feast/famine and we already have one scorer like that. Also his defense is average/

Batum is 27 next year and at 6'8 would give us great length at SG. He could also slide to SF when Voldemort sits.

Aside from that I dont see many good FA options to improve the team. That is looking like it will have to come via draft, trade and the most obvious improvement from within.

Thoughts? Anyone out there you really want to see the Knicks splurge on?

The obvious answer is Durant but that really doubles up a SF position that is already filled with your best player.

I do like Horford in the Triangle. Rolo could be moved to the bench or moved to another team, very reasonable contract for a big in this new market, BUT, if I were GM I'd probably hesitate because he did come to NY. Also remember that Willy will be coming, so the bigs department is solid'ish.

The Knicks need upgrades at the guard positions. Wade comes to mind. I don't watch other teams much but do follow boxscores. Evan Fournier from Orlando is nice, RFA. POR got Allen Crabbe and Maurice Harkless that I think are FA but I don't really know their games.

This is a good site for finding free agents: http://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/guard/

martin wrote:What's Batum's D like?

Batum is 6'8 with a long wingspan. Put him with Rolo and KP and you have 3 starters who are super long players.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I always thought Batum was a nice option. He had a bad season last year, but seems to be recovering pretty well this season. He's got that smooth, playmaking ability and shooting ability that would fit in well here. I think he can play SG too. He, Affalo, Grant, and Galloway is a nice mix at the 1 and 2, with Batum playing some minutes at the 3 as well. Also, I would like to see if we can grab Noah for cheaper, but only if he's willing to come off the bench. Lopez is the starter, we are paying him for that. Noah seems to really be taking a step back, even if all the injuries, but splitting the center minutes pretty evenly between Lopez and Noah might be a good situation for both players. It keeps the minutes manageable for both of them to stay healthy and efficient. So those would be my targets. Lopez, Melo, Batum, and an improved Porzingis and Grant starting with Galloway, Afflalo, Noah, Dwill, O'Quinn, Lance and Early is a loaded, deep team.

That's an interesting take. Batum and Noah. Do the Knicks have enough $ for both? $19M before cutting Jose. I like those additions.

It will all depend on what Noah actually demands in the open market. I'm afraid someone is going to offer Noah a ton of money, but not sure what he's worth. In a perfect world, Batum can be had for 12 mil a year and Noah the remaining 7-8 per year, but not sure if that will happen, even at Noah's age. Batum should be the first priority for attainable players.

No Batum and Noah Depends on Afflalo, Williams, and Calderon. If Williams and Afflalo opt out it would give the Knicks a Cap total of $52m+ and what ever low qualifying offer Gallo will have plus the cap holds of the empty roster spots. So lets break it down:

The knicks would have 6 players w.guaranteed contracts = $52m-55m+

The knicks would also have Gallo's($1.2m+) and Early's($1.2m) Cap holds = $2.4m+

Then you have the 6 empty roster charges($540k each) for being under the minimum 12 spots. $540K x 6 = $3.2m+

So the Knicks estimated total salary would be $57.6m - $60.6m+

The estimated NBA cap is $89m, so the knicks would have $89m - ($57.6m - $60.6m) = $28.4m - $31.4m to spend in FA.

I would assume Batum would get/ask for Paul Millsap type money so that is around $20m+ per leaving $8-11m left to fill out your roster. Remember that they can go over the cap to resign Early and Gallo.

yellowboy90 wrote:I've been on Batum since last year. I was impressed with his passing. It would be great if Cha imploded. I know many would not but I'd give up a future protected 1st at the deadline for Batum.

No Batum and Noah Depends on Afflalo, Williams, and Calderon. If Williams and Afflalo opt out it would give the Knicks a Cap total of $52m+ and what ever low qualifying offer Gallo will have plus the cap holds of the empty roster spots. So lets break it down:

The knicks would have 6 players w.guaranteed contracts = $52m-55m+

The knicks would also have Gallo's($1.2m+) and Early's($1.2m) Cap holds = $2.4m+

Then you have the 6 empty roster charges($540k each) for being under the minimum 12 spots. $540K x 6 = $3.2m+

So the Knicks estimated total salary would be $57.6m - $60.6m+

The estimated NBA cap is $89m, so the knicks would have $89m - ($57.6m - $60.6m) = $28.4m - $31.4m to spend in FA.

I would assume Batum would get/ask for Paul Millsap type money so that is around $20m+ per leaving $8-11m left to fill out your roster. Remember that they can go over the cap to resign Early and Gallo.

That is a deep lineup with some very long athletic defenders and some shooters.

martin wrote:What's Batum's D like?

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