jskinny35 wrote:For the most part I agree with this. My hope is that RJ develops into the Robin so that we can pair him with the right Batman when he develops/becomes available in the future. I think Zach Lavine is on the of the younger players who could eventually develop into a top 10 player (Melo-type) and also may be attainable. I think Booker, Donovan and Ja are on the cusp at the moment.

There’s definitely guys that can get there. I think Barrett can be a robin, as can Randle. Then add 1 or 2 more guys in this free agency who can become difference makers. Guys like Ball and Powell can be 4th and 5th guys on a contender. This is what we need to build towards.

I might argue Thibs is the one coach who could get a Detroit style team there.

I'd also add that RJ might be closer to be that kind of top ten talent than folks are giving him. I remember seeing one snippet of his stats, and how it was achieved by a very select group of players by his age.

If we could add a PG like Ball or Payne, and still find another Quickly type talent in the draft, back fill with overachieving role players, and I could see this squad making a run.

I could also see us sliding back to 30 wins or so if we miss out and have guys injured.

franco12 wrote:I agree with the need for a top 10 type player, a franchise changing talent to be on your roster for you to realistically stand a chance at challenging for a spot in the finals.

I might argue Thibs is the one coach who could get a Detroit style team there.

I'd also add that RJ might be closer to be that kind of top ten talent than folks are giving him. I remember seeing one snippet of his stats, and how it was achieved by a very select group of players by his age.

If we could add a PG like Ball or Payne, and still find another Quickly type talent in the draft, back fill with overachieving role players, and I could see this squad making a run.

I could also see us sliding back to 30 wins or so if we miss out and have guys injured.

Of the potential top 10 players to come available, Lillard and Kawhi are the only realistic ones this summer. Unlikely for Kawhi, a little more likely for Lillard. If you can get Lillard you go all in. For next summer, i can see either Embiid or Giannis getting frustrated and looking for a change. Embiid is the most interesting because he's a former Leon Rose guy. If you revamp the backcourt this summer with a new PG and wing, then next summer move a resigned Mitch, someone on an expiring contract like Bullock (i bet we sign him this summer for 2/20) and all of the draft picks possible for Embiid, you have a contender. We need to prove this summer with our free agent signing that we can put a better supporting case around guys like Lillard, Embiid, and Giannis who are on good playoff teams but step below contender.

xavier wrote:

Philc1 wrote:2022 free agency is maybe the best Free Agent class since 2010. It might even be better

At least half of those players will not end up being free agents when the summer of 2022 finally comes. Mark my words.

I agree but at least a couple guys will end up hitting the open market

The key is we remain competitive next season. By competitive I mean at least 6th seed

Welpee wrote:idk, seems like we're going backwards targeting 20__'s free agent class.

We have no better options

Philc1 wrote:

xavier wrote:

Philc1 wrote:2022 free agency is maybe the best Free Agent class since 2010. It might even be better

At least half of those players will not end up being free agents when the summer of 2022 finally comes. Mark my words.

I agree but at least a couple guys will end up hitting the open market

The key is we remain competitive next season. By competitive I mean at least 6th seed

In fairness, this FA class was supposed to be the best FA class of all time...

Knixkik wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

xavier wrote:

Philc1 wrote:2022 free agency is maybe the best Free Agent class since 2010. It might even be better

At least half of those players will not end up being free agents when the summer of 2022 finally comes. Mark my words.

I agree but at least a couple guys will end up hitting the open market

The key is we remain competitive next season. By competitive I mean at least 6th seed

In fairness, this FA class was supposed to be the best FA class of all time...

Free agency is becoming less of a factor for the biggest named guys. They are able to dictate their futures before it becomes a concern and they are more aggressive in doing so. Freen agency will only allow us to get the 2nd or 3rd tier guys. Which is fine. We should sign the best players we can, as long as we maintain picks and youth for a future trade for a top tier player. The teams that are strapped without an easy way to improve isn't due to having big contracts or overpaid players, it's due to lack of draft picks and quality prospects on rookie contracts.

I don't know what that sentence really means. The biggest named guys changing teams were always sparse and it all depended on a confluence of a few different things happening at the same time.

Team with both cap space, a situation where there was high end playoff winning, and stable FO/coaching/market situation.

Knicks need to create their own luck and situation and have taken a giant step towards that. In fact, I would say it is on par with what the Brooklyn situation was 2 years ago with 1 more year to go on the Knicks side of things.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

xavier wrote:

Philc1 wrote:2022 free agency is maybe the best Free Agent class since 2010. It might even be better

At least half of those players will not end up being free agents when the summer of 2022 finally comes. Mark my words.

I agree but at least a couple guys will end up hitting the open market

The key is we remain competitive next season. By competitive I mean at least 6th seed

In fairness, this FA class was supposed to be the best FA class of all time...

Free agency is becoming less of a factor for the biggest named guys. They are able to dictate their futures before it becomes a concern and they are more aggressive in doing so. Freen agency will only allow us to get the 2nd or 3rd tier guys. Which is fine. We should sign the best players we can, as long as we maintain picks and youth for a future trade for a top tier player. The teams that are strapped without an easy way to improve isn't due to having big contracts or overpaid players, it's due to lack of draft picks and quality prospects on rookie contracts.

I don't know what that sentence really means. The biggest named guys changing teams were always sparse and it all depended on a confluence of a few different things happening at the same time.

Team with both cap space, a situation where there was high end playoff winning, and stable FO/coaching/market situation.

Knicks need to create their own luck and situation and have taken a giant step towards that. In fact, I would say it is on par with what the Brooklyn situation was 2 years ago with 1 more year to go on the Knicks side of things.

I mean big name players hit free agency less now. They move before that. Free agency isn’t a thing for most of these tops guys anymore. Free agency used to be how the major guys moved. Now it’s trade because they are more aggressive in pushing it. Think about 2010. No one asked to be traded before melo really. These guys just waited and then made their decision. Now they make their decision whenever and ask to be traded there and teams do it. Harden was the tip of the iceberg. He asked for a trade to the nets only despite being 2 1/2 years from free agency and the nets having no real assets and he still got there within a month.

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

xavier wrote:

Philc1 wrote:2022 free agency is maybe the best Free Agent class since 2010. It might even be better

At least half of those players will not end up being free agents when the summer of 2022 finally comes. Mark my words.

I agree but at least a couple guys will end up hitting the open market

The key is we remain competitive next season. By competitive I mean at least 6th seed

In fairness, this FA class was supposed to be the best FA class of all time...

Free agency is becoming less of a factor for the biggest named guys. They are able to dictate their futures before it becomes a concern and they are more aggressive in doing so. Freen agency will only allow us to get the 2nd or 3rd tier guys. Which is fine. We should sign the best players we can, as long as we maintain picks and youth for a future trade for a top tier player. The teams that are strapped without an easy way to improve isn't due to having big contracts or overpaid players, it's due to lack of draft picks and quality prospects on rookie contracts.

I don't know what that sentence really means. The biggest named guys changing teams were always sparse and it all depended on a confluence of a few different things happening at the same time.

Team with both cap space, a situation where there was high end playoff winning, and stable FO/coaching/market situation.

Knicks need to create their own luck and situation and have taken a giant step towards that. In fact, I would say it is on par with what the Brooklyn situation was 2 years ago with 1 more year to go on the Knicks side of things.

I mean big name players hit free agency less now. They move before that. Free agency isn’t a thing for most of these tops guys anymore. Free agency used to be how the major guys moved. Now it’s trade because they are more aggressive in pushing it. Think about 2010. No one asked to be traded before melo really. These guys just waited and then made their decision. Now they make their decision whenever and ask to be traded there and teams do it. Harden was the tip of the iceberg. He asked for a trade to the nets only despite being 2 1/2 years from free agency and the nets having no real assets and he still got there within a month.

Durant. Kyrie. Kawhi. LeBron. Kemba. Hayward. Old Al Horford. Large step down: Randle, Jerami Grant, Rozier, Bogan Bogdanović, Gallo.

Guys that were traded or forced trades? AD, Harden, CP3, Russel, PG, KP, Butler, Tobias, Jrue Holiday. Step down: Nikola Vučević, Aaron Gordon, Oldapido, Capalla.

Guys that will be FA, most likely opt out of their contracts to resign (or not) within a year or so: CP3, Harden, Durant, Butler, Kawhi, Lowry, LaVine, Rozier, Randle, Beal, Steph.

When opportunity strikes, you make sure you are prepared for it and take advantage. If that window goes without your liking, you wait til it happens again and move on with your other plans.