If the Knicks really wanted to go all-in this summer they could sign both Ball and DeRozan and see where that gets them, but I don't think we necessarily should rush the process. Add Ball, run it back and see where we stand. Ball is a RFA, so the contract will have to be big, and we may have to settle on a sign-and-trade and deal an asset, but it's worth it. Ball replacing Payton in the line-up with the rest remaining the same makes too much sense. And Ball can easily play alongside Rose or Quickley in smaller lineups, something Payton can't do. Ball has become a strong defensive player and has even fixed his free throw shooting. Adding him would just be too perfect.

The addition of these two players, while bringing most of the rotation back (and Mitch) Thats a squad good enough to get to the ECF IMO. Brooklyn has to worry more about their stars being healthy than we would, Im guessing. Could come down to them missing a star or two when it matters.

We would have a DPOY level defender at the 5, and All-Star level talent (RJ and Lonzo getting there) at the other spots.

Knicks would have the space to sign both I believe. It would cost bringing some guys back like Noel and Burks. I think Bullock might get a close to MLE offer but if not maybe we bring him back at some modest deal. Taj will come back on a veteran min. Rose should come back because the NBA money doesnt really matter with his Adidas contract, he just needs to be in the league.

team would looks like this:
PG Ball
SG RJ
SF Derozan
PF Randle
C Mitch
Bench: Rose, IQ, Obi, Knox, Taj, FRP, FRP

Knixkik wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:This is a continuation of the discussion in the Derozan thread. Agree that Lonzo and Derozan could be a game changer. Derozan's ability to get buckets, and share the rock outweighs what negatives he might have on D.

The addition of these two players, while bringing most of the rotation back (and Mitch) Thats a squad good enough to get to the ECF IMO. Brooklyn has to worry more about their stars being healthy than we would, Im guessing. Could come down to them missing a star or two when it matters.

We would have a DPOY level defender at the 5, and All-Star level talent (RJ and Lonzo getting there) at the other spots.

C Mitch
PF Randle
SF DeRozan
SG Barrett
PG Ball

with Noel, Rose, Quickley, Bullock, Toppin, and a couple rookies off the bench would be serious. Just not sure about DeRozan give age and fit. But he would provide a closer we don't have now.

If that stroke is legit expect 20ppg next yeAr

Get consistent with the 3 and mid range then your talking about all star by the time he is 23

Oh yea definetly ball this summer 20m

Just be 14ppg 4 rebounds 6 assist knock down your open 3 unlock Mitch and obi and that’s what we need. We need a floor general who can tell Randle go to your spot dude lol I got this. You don’t need to be dribbling up the court 😅

The final piece we get has to be able to get buckets and close games.

If we get the right guy we will have enough talent to compete in the eastern conference finals for a long time

Also who we draft is important this year. We need to solidify our bench with guys who Thibs will feel comfortable with playing lol

Here is the thing. We have 4 picks. Most likely we are not keeping all 4

But 1 out of 3 has to be legit. Someone Thibs is confident in and is ready to go.

We are looking for a legit role player who can eat second units. If he turns into a all star that’s a great and a bonus!

We are approaching the part of the rebuild where we need (talent)

xblvdels3 wrote:Man RJ Barret shooting 38 percent from 3!! Sweet!! The work is paying off.

If that stroke is legit expect 20ppg next yeAr

Get consistent with the 3 and mid range then your talking about all star by the time he is 23

Oh yea definetly ball this summer 20m

Just be 14ppg 4 rebounds 6 assist knock down your open 3 unlock Mitch and obi and that’s what we need. We need a floor general who can tell Randle go to your spot dude lol I got this. You don’t need to be dribbling up the court 😅

The final piece we get has to be able to get buckets and close games.

If we get the right guy we will have enough talent to compete in the eastern conference finals for a long time

Also who we draft is important this year. We need to solidify our bench with guys who Thibs will feel comfortable with playing lol

Here is the thing. We have 4 picks. Most likely we are not keeping all 4

But 1 out of 3 has to be legit. Someone Thibs is confident in and is ready to go.

We are looking for a legit role player who can eat second units. If he turns into a all star that’s a great and a bonus!

We are approaching the part of the rebuild where we need (talent)

The way I see it is there are 2 legit options this summer:

1. Go all-in on Ball and DeRozan (or some combination of 2 major free agents) and pay them both 20-25 mil per season. You can probably retain Bullock and Rose using their bird rights (having low salaries) and extend Mitch, and replace Burks and Noel via the draft. With Randle also extension-eligible, this is basically the way the team puts in all of their chips before making tough decisions on Randle and/or Mitch in terms of extension offers so all cap space is out the window but you can easily keep your best players.

2. Just grab 1 player like Ball for 20-25 mil per season and continue to stay flexible. Keep the players out of Rose, Bullock, Burks, and Noel willing to come back for 1 year again (like Payton did) or on a discounted multi-year deal. Push off the Mitch decision for another year (and risk losing him next summer as a UFA) and either try to lock Randle at his max extension which would be a discount for what he's probably worth, or just wait until next year. It keeps the books clean for a major free agent in the future and options open. But that plan eventually loses value because eventually you will have to pay Randle, Barrett, Mitch etc or risk losing them. This plan only works best if L Rose feels confident in landing someone specific within the next year or two.

I think what it comes down to is whether or not Rose feels like he can LaVine or Beal next summer or if he likes DeRozan and Ball. We know he likes Ball. DeRozan i'm not sure, we will have to see.

fishmike wrote:I like Derozan a lot. He can carry your scoring load most nights and playing next to Randle/RJ he would be lethal. Lonzo is a role player. He's good but overpaying role players rarely works out. That being said you pay big hoping his game (especially offense) has some levels it can still get to.

Knicks would have the space to sign both I believe. It would cost bringing some guys back like Noel and Burks. I think Bullock might get a close to MLE offer but if not maybe we bring him back at some modest deal. Taj will come back on a veteran min. Rose should come back because the NBA money doesnt really matter with his Adidas contract, he just needs to be in the league.

team would looks like this:
PG Ball
SG RJ
SF Derozan
PF Randle
C Mitch
Bench: Rose, IQ, Obi, Knox, Taj, FRP, FRP

^^^ This , improves our team and is realistic of who we can sign ..

NYKBocker wrote:Lonzo is an RFA. What would it take to get him?

We have covers this a lot in other chats on the board. Basically it will be a front office playoff this off-season between the Knicks and pelicans.

Maybe we get him for just making an offer or maybe we have to give up a pick or something more.

Knixkik wrote:

BillTheButcher wrote:

fishmike wrote:I like Derozan a lot. He can carry your scoring load most nights and playing next to Randle/RJ he would be lethal. Lonzo is a role player. He's good but overpaying role players rarely works out. That being said you pay big hoping his game (especially offense) has some levels it can still get to.

Knicks would have the space to sign both I believe. It would cost bringing some guys back like Noel and Burks. I think Bullock might get a close to MLE offer but if not maybe we bring him back at some modest deal. Taj will come back on a veteran min. Rose should come back because the NBA money doesnt really matter with his Adidas contract, he just needs to be in the league.

team would looks like this:
PG Ball
SG RJ
SF Derozan
PF Randle
C Mitch
Bench: Rose, IQ, Obi, Knox, Taj, FRP, FRP

^^^ This , improves our team and is realistic of who we can sign ..

I agree. We can also keep Bullock using his bird rights.

C Mitch/ Gibson
PF Randle/ Toppin
SF DeRozan/ Bullock
SG Barrett/ Quickley
PG Ball/ Rose

with our 2 first round picks and early second round pick rounding things out. Realistically I see us drafting a wing, PG, and big man in some order. Roster spots 14 and 15 go to a vet bigman and our hypeman Pinson. 2-way spots for a couple of prospects. I think Knox and Ntilikina are likely gone.

Yes pinson is crucial haha 😂

NYStateOfMind wrote:If he opts out, I prefer Kawhi & Lonzo. Where would that put the Knicks then?

In a lucid dream that I never want wake up from.