If he wants to try to land with a suitable play off contender, happy to trade him, even if I only get a second or similar.

Who exactly do we have lined up to play for us next year? Adding a draft pick. But I don't think keeping Bobby Portis next year makes any sense. Not crazy about him and what he has done so far. Wayne Ellington should probably be released right now. Taj GIbson?

So, if I could land a Fred VanVleet for max type money and retain Morris and add a top 4 draft pick, I'd retain Morris with similar money if he wants.

knicks1248 wrote:Keep morris and trade for more players like him and start building a winning culture, instead of gamble on lottery hopefuls that continue to make us a bad team, get coaches fired, and keep presidents on the HOT SEAT.

AKA: use lottery assets before they mature to trade for just above average player?

Nobody said do one strategy exclusively. You need assets to trade with. You Need rookie contracts to level the salary cap. Luck, trades, Picks and free agents all add up. Toronto did very little with Free agents. They got Kawhi by trading players obtained thru draft. Siakim was drafted.
Ujiri is no wizard, break down what he did or those before him did. Its a mix.

knicks1248 wrote:Keep morris and trade for more players like him and start building a winning culture, instead of gamble on lottery hopefuls that continue to make us a bad team, get coaches fired, and keep presidents on the HOT SEAT.

I agree with this to an extend. Unless you get a significant young player or asset in return, you should try to build some continuity and keep the one player who has exceeded expectations and fits with the young core. Morris should be playing PF and Randle should be on the move. Morris wants to be here and is a 2way player who brings leadership and 3pt shooting. You need more guys like him to become a winning team and turn Barrett and Mitch into winning players.

https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-marcus-morris-stay-in-new-york-trade-market-20191212-ep4wqdicezauvlmki5tyhymwn4-story.html

“I’d rather help turn this thing around,” he said. “Melo said it best. Some guys are not built for New York. I’m built for New York. I’d rather be here and I’d rather help and I’d rather anchor it.”

Granted, what should he say when asked- yea, trade me! But some players will cite business.

ankurk wrote:morris might tell you he wants to stay and help fix this thing but seeing how he did the spurs he is likely only saying this to not get traded and become a 3rd option again. averaging career highs and being a primary option will help him net a bigger contract this offseason and go to whoever the highest bidder is. he has no loyalty to us.

Well he made it pretty clear he likes being close to home (philly) so I think there is more to it than just the highest bidder contract. He obviously wants to get paid but would prefer to remain in the Atlantic division.

Chandler wrote:I can imagine a good team offering a late first rounder for him. Some of those good teams are out of assets at the moment, but what about the Bucks or Raptors? Miami could offer a player

I can also imagine him staying with the Knicks.

We want to keep ALL above average players that actually wants to play for NY. Morris has been our best signing. He is capable of being the best player on the court in most games. He is also our best 3pt shooter. If he wants to stay and we can get him for 15M a year, I would sign him to a 3 year deal. If anything, that will make it easier for many teams to give up a first rounder for him. Since he is expiring, do not see anyone giving up a first rounder for him. Unless they are a desperate must win team this year. In which case, the pick will turn out to be a lower pick.

Randle is the guy I would try to trade for a first. Think he is a tough scorer down low but not much else to help a rebuilding team trying to develop a winning culture. We can also trade our expiring contracts to teams looking to improve cap flexibility next year. December 15th will be interesting.

HofstraBBall wrote:

Chandler wrote:I can imagine a good team offering a late first rounder for him. Some of those good teams are out of assets at the moment, but what about the Bucks or Raptors? Miami could offer a player

I can also imagine him staying with the Knicks.

We want to keep ALL above average players that actually wants to play for NY. Morris has been our best signing. He is capable of being the best player on the court in most games. He is also our best 3pt shooter. If he wants to stay and we can get him for 15M a year, I would sign him to a 3 year deal. If anything, that will make it easier for many teams to give up a first rounder for him. Since he is expiring, do not see anyone giving up a first rounder for him. Unless they are a desperate must win team this year. In which case, the pick will turn out to be a lower pick.

Randle is the guy I would try to trade for a first. Think he is a tough scorer down low but not much else to help a rebuilding team trying to develop a winning culture. We can also trade our expiring contracts to teams looking to improve cap flexibility next year. December 15th will be interesting.

Yeah might be time to move Randle this year or in the off-season. He just doesn’t fit well. Should be easy to move with only 1 year guaranteed on his contract and a team option the following year. It’s a nice team friendly deal. We won’t get anything in return, but someone will be willing to absorb his contract. Then resign Morris and play him exclusively at the 4. Sign another shooting wing this summer like Beasley or Bogdanovic assuming we get a PG in the draft.

C Robinson
PF Morris (3&D)
SF Barrett
SG Beasley or Bogdanovic (shooter)
PG Mannion or Cole Anthony (shooter/playmaker)

With Knox, Frank, Brazdeikis etc off the bench.

Become a faster, better shooting, better passing team. Simple team building.

HofstraBBall wrote:

Chandler wrote:I can imagine a good team offering a late first rounder for him. Some of those good teams are out of assets at the moment, but what about the Bucks or Raptors? Miami could offer a player

I can also imagine him staying with the Knicks.

We want to keep ALL above average players that actually wants to play for NY. Morris has been our best signing. He is capable of being the best player on the court in most games. He is also our best 3pt shooter. If he wants to stay and we can get him for 15M a year, I would sign him to a 3 year deal. If anything, that will make it easier for many teams to give up a first rounder for him. Since he is expiring, do not see anyone giving up a first rounder for him. Unless they are a desperate must win team this year. In which case, the pick will turn out to be a lower pick.

Randle is the guy I would try to trade for a first. Think he is a tough scorer down low but not much else to help a rebuilding team trying to develop a winning culture. We can also trade our expiring contracts to teams looking to improve cap flexibility next year. December 15th will be interesting.

You also have to take back damn near 20 mill in contracts in any Randle trade, so i would look at trying to get a 2 for one deal with randle(sg/pg) and perhaps a swap in picks..

But i'll ask again, do you want MILLS to be the one make that trade?