Mitch has been an absolute beast. Sure Embiid is an upgrade but we aren’t getting him, and outside of him, any realistic move at center takes away from how the Knicks win games- Mitch and Hartenstein are a perfect compliment to each other and should stay

Randle is Randle. We could try to trade him plus IQ and/or picks for KAT, but does it make us better? KAT has a lot of the same struggles as Randle, and we risk a clunky fit next to Mitch. Randle isn’t perfect but you can’t just get rid of him either.

Barrett seems to be taking the steps forward we hoped for. He was the obvious upgrade spot, but maybe not anymore. And any Barrett moves leaves a big hole at the wing.

Grimes hasn’t really taken a step forward, but the Knicks have DiVincenzo, Hart and IQ for some SG minutes , and this position has the best depth.

Brunson is the franchise PG and isn’t going anywhere. IQ off the bench, plus McBride, Arcidiacono, and Jokubaitis in the pipeline doesn’t leave any opportunities for upgrade.

The easiest projectable move would be using Quickley and picks to upgrade the starting lineup, but where is that move? Maybe Anunoby if he tells Toronto he’s going to leave this offseason. It makes sense for both teams. Essentially he would replace grimes in the lineup to give more size and scoring, and DiVincenzo/ Hart would spend more time on the ball with the second unit with IQ gone. Grimes would serve as the backup SG. But Toronto and New York also have a pending lawsuit that likely complicates their ability to do business.

Is there anything else obvious out there ? A team with a big hole at PG that can provide a starting lineup upgrade ? Otherwise I think the only obvious potential move would be hoping Barrett and Quickley improve enough to send to Cleveland for Mitchell if the time ever comes.

KAT could be an upgrade over Randle as well at PF, and could also play some C.

Embidd of course is also a big upgrade at C, as well as Mitch has played, Embidd is just a monster and could also space the floor some.

nycericanguy wrote:I think SG is open unless Grimes steps up. Mitchell, Lavine fit there.
Internally IQ fits there as well.
Long term there aren't enough minutes in the backcourt for IQ, Grimes and DDV so one of those guys likely gets moved. We're already seeing these guys minutes cut drastically this year.

KAT could be an upgrade over Randle as well at PF, and could also play some C.

Embidd of course is also a big upgrade at C, as well as Mitch has played, Embidd is just a monster and could also space the floor some.

I agree about the SG position. Or it can even be a bigger wing and have Barrett shift to the SG. Anunoby makes so much sense. He does most of what grimes does but better. D Mitchell is the star shot creator we could use but will cost Barrett, IQ and picks at a minimum.

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:Making shots. That's it.

Making shots gets us back to last year’s level of play. I’m still concerned this team is capped and I want to know what the next step is.

didn't we have like the best record, or close to it in the second half of last season?
you want to know? We all want to know.

sometimes a team needs on more year of being together?
What Im seeing is knicks are trying to execute more passing.
I see better play from our centers.
RJ.
And Randle will come around.

How do we get better? Yes, Make more shots, reduce turnovers a bit, and perhaps we we are 5-2 instead of 3-4.
Its been a tough schedule.

At SG, Grimes is scaring me with the deer in headlights crunch times. Not looking to bail on him, but a move for a solid 3&D role player at the SG would be fine. I look at Ayo Dosunmu up in Chicago and think he is pretty buried there. He just signed a 3 year 21mm contract so can’t be traded until 12/15, but I think his deal would fit into the Toppin TPE. Bulls look like garbage so they might cut bait. He’s also an upside player, but I’d be willing to throw a Wiz pick in to nab him. His 6’10 wingspan and high motor would be a good SG role playing move. He could handle the ball handling off guard for Brunson and would pair well with him.

Barrett for Bridges or Anunoby makes some sense, but I kind of like how Barrett is playing and want to see this out.

Other than that, I think the only move that really makes us better is a Zion Williamson/Randle + Picks swap. Embiid will cost too much. KAT is half a player. Lavine is missing knees. Love Spida but don’t think he coexists in the same lineup as Brunson. But you take Randle and swap him with a healthy Zion, and I think the sky is the limit for this team. We are hard-capped so would have to match salary. Probably need the Fournier (Isaac?) salary to make that work.

This team is probably better:
Brunson/IQ
Dosunmu/DDV
Barrett/Hart
Randle/Isaac
Robinson/Hart

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:Making shots. That's it.

Making shots gets us back to last year’s level of play. I’m still concerned this team is capped and I want to know what the next step is.

Oh OK, didn't know if you meant tactically or more strategically.

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:Making shots. That's it.

Making shots gets us back to last year’s level of play. I’m still concerned this team is capped and I want to know what the next step is.

Last season Knicks were 3rd in offensive rating and 19th in defensive rating. This year they are 28th and 2nd respectively. It's a pretty tried and true formula that to win a championship you need a top ten offense and defense. My hope is with improved shooting (Randle and IQ are at career lows from 3) the Knicks can get in the top ten..

The real improvement is defense which has happened and if it continues will raise the ceiling considerably.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:Making shots. That's it.

Making shots gets us back to last year’s level of play. I’m still concerned this team is capped and I want to know what the next step is.

Oh OK, didn't know if you meant tactically or more strategically.

Definitely personnel wise because I don’t believe we have any players on the roster who can make such a jump that raises the trajectory of the team beyond what it is.

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:Making shots. That's it.

Making shots gets us back to last year’s level of play. I’m still concerned this team is capped and I want to know what the next step is.

Oh OK, didn't know if you meant tactically or more strategically.

Definitely personnel wise because I don’t believe we have any players on the roster who can make such a jump that raises the trajectory of the team beyond what it is.

RJ and Mitch seem to be raising their games right before our eyes.

I’m thinking that Knicks prob don’t have the mix for contender status yet but they can definitely be better than last year IMHO

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:Making shots. That's it.

Making shots gets us back to last year’s level of play. I’m still concerned this team is capped and I want to know what the next step is.

Oh OK, didn't know if you meant tactically or more strategically.

Definitely personnel wise because I don’t believe we have any players on the roster who can make such a jump that raises the trajectory of the team beyond what it is.

RJ and Mitch seem to be raising their games right before our eyes.

I’m thinking that Knicks prob don’t have the mix for contender status yet but they can definitely be better than last year IMHO

To me the play of Barrett and Mitch is awesome, but I view it more as a way to offset risk of Randle and Brunson sort of plateauing, or not having quite the seasons they had last year. But there is the chance that Barrett continues to get to a place offensively where he can fully take over as second option and move Randle down to third, and that would open up another level for the Knicks to get to without a major personnel move.

I’m hoping grimes gets a little more consistency this year but I’m not entirely optimistic about it. There’s nothing wrong with him turning into that Danny Green-type 3&D guy who gets his 10-12 ppg and occasional hot shooting night, but it leaves an opening to improve the starting lineup if that’s what he tops out as.