1. They can just sign McCullar and either Diawara/ Nnaji. Easy math. But I think this is unlikely.
2. They can sign Yabusele to about 40K less than the full TMLE and squeeze in a vet minimum guy plus Diawara/ Nnaji
3. They can sign a vet minimum guy and wait until after the season starts to covert Diawara or Nnaji from a 2-way to a standard contract to make it work. If they wait long enough, they can maybe squeeze some extra space to sign a PJ Tucker type late in the year as 15th man. This falls in line with what they did last year to make the money work after the Towns trade.
4. They can get super creative and go out shopping via trade for another team’s draft rights guy that they really like. Trade for that player and bring him over in combination with one of these other options. Or although unlikely, bring in jokubaitis or that other guy they got draft rights to in the Sims/ Wright trade. Brock loves his draft rights guys so here’s where they come in handy. Second round exception (1.2M) is a great thing

Ultimately we won’t get full clarity on this until after summer league at the very least. We can narrow down options a bit based on if they sign 1 more vet or not. I assume they still have some interest in bringing back Shamet or Wright and would make the money work. Nothing needs to be done for a bit since the Yabusele/ Clarkson deals aren’t official for a while. I bet they sign another vet and let Nnaji and Diawara duke it out for the 14th spot in SL. The guy who misses out gets a 2-way deal along with McCullar and Watson. Just a guess. But these are the options regardless.

Also is he theoretically a restricted FA - meaning there's a (very small) chance someone else gives him an offer sheet we can't match b/c we're hard capped?

Knixkik wrote:

VDesai wrote:We have a qualifying offer out to McCullar. How long does he have to accept that? At this point should we assume he has a hold on a spot?

Also is he theoretically a restricted FA - meaning there's a (very small) chance someone else gives him an offer sheet we can't match b/c we're hard capped?

What’s his demand though really ? Also he isn’t eligible for the 2nd round exception, so his minimum is about 2M, which is close to the vet minimum as far as payroll purposes (vet min is 2.3M). So I am guessing the Knicks either bring him back on a 2-way deal or lose him, given how close they are to the second apron and how they are going to squeeze out every dollar of value. Just a guess. Maybe he kills it in summer league and makes it easy on them to sign to a standard contract. But you’re essentially choosing between him or another veteran like Shamet or Wright. Can’t have both. We will see what they value most.

Man, what are the qualifications for this outside of being drafted in second round? I wasn't aware

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

VDesai wrote:We have a qualifying offer out to McCullar. How long does he have to accept that? At this point should we assume he has a hold on a spot?

Also is he theoretically a restricted FA - meaning there's a (very small) chance someone else gives him an offer sheet we can't match b/c we're hard capped?

What’s his demand though really ? Also he isn’t eligible for the 2nd round exception, so his minimum is about 2M, which is close to the vet minimum as far as payroll purposes (vet min is 2.3M). So I am guessing the Knicks either bring him back on a 2-way deal or lose him, given how close they are to the second apron and how they are going to squeeze out every dollar of value. Just a guess. Maybe he kills it in summer league and makes it easy on them to sign to a standard contract. But you’re essentially choosing between him or another veteran like Shamet or Wright. Can’t have both. We will see what they value most.

Man, what are the qualifications for this outside of being drafted in second round? I wasn't aware

McCullar saw playing time last year, so that bumps him into a different category since he’s technically a vet. Second round exception must be a rookie/ never played an nba game.

Knixkik wrote:To add to this, I’m a fan of McCullar and think he can develop into a legit player. He was a steal last year at the end of the second round. But if the Knicks are so tight against the second apron, and his cap hit is going to be almost the same as a vet minimum, then I don’t see the advantage to signing him to a standard contract. It’s unfortunate for him but he’s sort of stuck in a situation out of a salary cap loophole. Vets making 3.6M like Clarkson still only cost 2.3M agains the cap. Second round exception guys cost only 1.3M. But second year guys have a cap hit of their actual salary, which is in the 2M range. That’s McCullar.

It all depends. Who else is out there willing to play spot minutes at the veteran's minimum? If McCullar turns out to be a disaster, then just waive him. You need young legs and if McCullar turns out to be playable, I say keep him.

Maybe it's not a Martin but would prefer say a 6'7" legit SG/SF wing vs say a smaller guy like Shamet.

Shamet would be a good consolation prize I guess but have to hope someone with more talent/upside pops free or can be traded for.

Hoping for him to flourish but I have my doubts he's just another AAA player.

Not saying I would do this necessarily, but the one I keep coming back to is Utah with Walker Kessler. If the Knicks sent Mitch and Dadiet for Kessler and KJ Martin, it’s a 2 for 2 swap that also opens about 3M extra in space. That brings the total to about 6.5M. Enough for 2 more vets and Nnaji/ Diawara for the second round exception as a 15th man. But then what is the draft comp we pay Utah? I imagine they would want the Washington pick and our 2032 swap at a minimum. And then what else is there ? Next summer we can open up the 2026 pick and the 2033 pick, plus 2032 swap, so more to work with for a big trade. But I’m not even sure if this makes sense for the Knicks. Might as well just stick with it and figure out the finances another way.

LivingLegend wrote:I do wonder if we are all maybe over rating McCullar given he was a 5th year senior coming out and has avg. athleticism with knee injury history and mediocre shooter.

Hoping for him to flourish but I have my doubts he's just another AAA player.

He reminds me of the Martin twins. Does nothing great but everything good enough. He was projected as a first round pick until the injury. So there’s really some intrigue there. But we also aren’t in a rush with him and can continue to develop him as a 2-way guy. I don’t think anyone is trying to poach him.

Knixkik wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:I do wonder if we are all maybe over rating McCullar given he was a 5th year senior coming out and has avg. athleticism with knee injury history and mediocre shooter.

Hoping for him to flourish but I have my doubts he's just another AAA player.

He reminds me of the Martin twins. Does nothing great but everything good enough. He was projected as a first round pick until the injury. So there’s really some intrigue there. But we also aren’t in a rush with him and can continue to develop him as a 2-way guy. I don’t think anyone is trying to poach him.

Good comp on Martin twins - agree.

Paul played all 82 games last season, and we could offer the MLE. Would be a good mentor for Brunson as well.