fishmike wrote:I saw that... we have a $980k team option on him for next year. I mention that because with KP/Grant/Galloway all on rookie scale deals the time for FA is really next year.

Do we want Durant?

Galloway... really nice role player. Stays within himself. His offense has been great this year. His defense has been hit or miss. The effort is ALWAYS there but I thought he got exposed a few times, especially vs. Tor.

Langston strikes me as the kind of blue collar lunch guy you win titles with.

Hate to say it but he's a VERY nice asset right now. If the Knicks are going to try to put a package together to land a big fish I would assume Galloway would be a part of that.

Also, I am not sure the hoopshype team option info is that reliable. I believe his side was adamant about him only signing a 2 year contract for just this chance to get big money. Plus, the Knicks do not have enough money available to get a "max type" guy and fill out there roster. That's why having Gallo's rights is great because they need to have money free while also having the ability to go over the cap. It is one of the reason I am not opposed to the knicks using a future protected 1st on a player like Batum if he wants out of Charlotte at the deadline.

yellowboy90 wrote:

fishmike wrote:I saw that... we have a $980k team option on him for next year. I mention that because with KP/Grant/Galloway all on rookie scale deals the time for FA is really next year.

Do we want Durant?

Galloway... really nice role player. Stays within himself. His offense has been great this year. His defense has been hit or miss. The effort is ALWAYS there but I thought he got exposed a few times, especially vs. Tor.

Langston strikes me as the kind of blue collar lunch guy you win titles with.

Hate to say it but he's a VERY nice asset right now. If the Knicks are going to try to put a package together to land a big fish I would assume Galloway would be a part of that.

There really are not any big fish players out there that are going to be traded and I doubt teams look at him as a huge asset right now.

Also, I am not sure the hoopshype team option info is that reliable. I believe his side was adamant about him only signing a 2 year contract for just this chance to get big money. Plus, the Knicks do not have enough money available to get a "max type" guy and fill out there roster. That's why having Gallo's rights is great because they need to have money free while also having the ability to go over the cap. It is one of the reason I am not opposed to the knicks using a future protected 1st on a player like Batum if he wants out of Charlotte at the deadline.

Speaking of which, I was going to start a Batum thread but just hadn't gotten around to it.

What do folks think about him? I didn't get a chance to watch him in particular last game but the dude just flat out disappeared, and this was just after winning player of the week award.

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/11/16/batum-cousins-players-of-the-week/

Batum led the Hornets to a 3-1 week behind averages of 25.5 points (fifth in the East), 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The French native ranked fifth in the conference in three-point field goal percentage (57.7 percent) as he connected on 15-of-26 triples on the week. Batum stuffed the stat sheet against his former team on Nov. 15. as he posted 33 points, six assists and five rebounds during a 106-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Is Batum worth trading a future first for? I want to say that his cap hold would eat up any space the Knicks would potentially have to make on offer to the likes of Durant.

And, why not wait until after the season to snag him? What's the rush this year?

If Batum is indeed a 20 point, 6 rebounds and 3 assist guy, I like him, but is he?

Not afraid to take the big shot and is a tough defender. I don't want him playing as much as he did last year, even though he is stronger. Definitely hurt his shot as the year went on.

Also a big fan of Batum. Shooting, D, and he is a good passer. Also seems to have become a more confident player as he gained experience. Would love to get him, and I think he would fit well here. He's really developed over the years and is now a fine all around player...

Don't know everyone who will be available next year, or what he would cost, but he would have to be at the top of my FA list.

fishmike wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:Loved Galloway last year...like him even more this year.

Not afraid to take the big shot and is a tough defender. I don't want him playing as much as he did last year, even though he is stronger. Definitely hurt his shot as the year went on.

Also a big fan of Batum. Shooting, D, and he is a good passer. Also seems to have become a more confident player as he gained experience. Would love to get him, and I think he would fit well here. He's really developed over the years and is now a fine all around player...

Don't know everyone who will be available next year, or what he would cost, but he would have to be at the top of my FA list.

He's unrestricted and I wouldnt hesitate to give him Carrol's contract ($15mm per) and run him out there at SG. At a long 6'8 that would create a line up of insane length. Batum/Melo/KP/Rolo is a huge lineup and not a plodding one either.

Rolo/KP/Melo/Batum/Grant. Huge lineup.

Gallo/Jose/AA/DWill/KOQ?

WaltLongmire wrote:Is $15M his max?

Nobody's max is $15m next year.

You're either on rookie scale or 25, 30 or 35% of a projected $89m.

bigbasketballs wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:Is $15M his max?

Nobody's max is $15m next year.

You're either on rookie scale or 25, 30 or 35% of a projected $89m.

I dont really like that money for him to be honest, but looking at ways to improve the team I think that does.

Just kind of thinking out loud here.

knicks1248 wrote:I thought the last game he kind of let K walker and Al J shine. He's a very unselfish player, and he's still getting use to his role, which is a lot different to his role in portland.

I think our guard play has to improve across the boards, Batum is a SF, he can play sg, but that won't always work with the most teams playing with combo guards that are much quicker.

You lost me on Al J shining.

martin wrote:

mreinman wrote:I like that Batum can play both the 2 and the 3. He is a much better rebounder, passer and defender than Afflalo (and a better defender than melo at the 3).

Batum's stats don't jump out at you and he is not really a 20 point scorer. He does bring many intangibles to the team that wont show up in the box.

Don't know for certain but he also seems like a high character guy.

I would not spend more than 15 million on him though. And, I would much rather find a guy like Cory Joseph for much cheaper. Although, the fact that Batum can play the 2 and the 3 really has a nice advantage. Joseph is strictly a 2.

my guess is that Phil would really love the fact that Batum can float from 2 to 3. And he does seem like a guy who passes and rebounds, stats over the years plays that out.

My question to all: Does he defend? Again, didn't pop out at my during the last game. Afflalo got his points, so did Melo. Was this just 1 bad game by Batum on both ends of the court?

I see him being a very good fit for the reasons you mentioned above, but thats very pricey. He does strike me as one of the best options on the FA market. Im not even looking at restricted guys.