knicks1248 wrote:Knicks have cap space they don't know what to do with, we need an upgrade at almost every position, we have a slew of expiring contracts on the roster, with extra picks....I mean Is the trade machine broke, I thought we ust hire DEAL MAKERs, WWW, Capologist..These guys did nothing to level up the talent, and their getting paid an awful lot of money not to spend money.
They seem to have an idea of what they are looking for. I would suggest that last year’s punt essentially overpaid for the players they brought in and generally lacked outside shooting. I rationalized it then as essentially free options that one of those players would excel. It was expensive to find and trade Marcus Morris. Here, they created value contracts and almost universally brought in shooting and/or defense - skill sets needed to allow the younger players to find breathing room.
They brought in dramatic number of coaches. They spent a lot of money on guys that can work with the youthful team. They spent real money. It’s just not counted against the cap. They appear to be building an organization before they build a team.
Reading the tea leaves, I think they are trying to figure out what they have in RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox and Mitch Robinson. More specifically, they may not know which young player is going to take the next step. So, taking some time to get familiar with the youths and get them playing within Thibodeau’s system isn’t bad. It just doesn’t scratch the same itch that signing Anthony Davis, trading for Beal and adding a third all star would.
You let these kids grow. You show up and coming stars that they will get the coaching support they need. You develop the core of talent and the system of play (and, hopefully, prove that system is not past its expiration date). You fill in the roster with solid role players. And if a Robison, Barrett, Toppin or Quickley take that next step. If they start to play like Lillard. Or Barrett hits his free throws. Or Robinson finds an outside shot. Toppin plays two ways.
Then, when a player becomes available in free agency or on the trade market, you might be able to make that move to put it all together. Or maybe you just add a Klay Thompson type through the draft that just changes the look on the floor. And it will gel.
Can’t tell you how this will play out. Would have been interesting to add FVV and Christian Wood. But this is how the hand played out... so far.
11/27/2020 1:22 PM