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No Mitch, No Huk — now what?
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Philc1
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7/9/2026  3:21 PM
NYKBocker wrote:The way Leon is collecting wings it really feels like we are preparing for a trade. Deuce and Pacome being the most tradeable assets.

Might be small ball with OG at Center until we somehow get another C at the deadline next February

AUTOADVERT
Nalod
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7/9/2026  4:16 PM
Philc1 wrote:
Nalod wrote:
Philc1 wrote:
Knixkik wrote:
Panos wrote:
newyorknewyork wrote:Today is the day Denver should make a decision on Valanciunas

I really want that guy. He's a viking beast.

The thing is, he wanted to play overseas last year. Is he coming here to compete with Drummond for backup duties? I know Leon was his agent which helps. But I assumed he wants to leave the nba.

NY is way closer to Europe than Denver it’s just a cheap flight from JFK away.


Give it a moment of thought. I doubt "Cheap flight" is a priority.
He is from Lithuania. His wife of 11 years also. They have a son. Are they rooted in Lithuania and does he want to be close to home and where does he want his 13 year old son schooled. From what I read last year his family moved to Lithuania. They were frustrated by the trades. Three teams in three years! His wife is not a bimbo. Has an degree in electrical engineering.
She is substantial intelectually and very attractive. He has made about $160,000,000. He has a standing offer to play in Lithuania for a very good team.

Why would he want to be a bit player off the bench for a couple mil when he did not want to play in Denver for 10mil? They held him to his contract and would not release him to play in europe. So in one year what do you think changed?

It took all of 20 seconds to see there are not direct flights from JFK to Lithuania. If there was its a "starting point of 10-13 hours". So Phil, whats your point other than NYC is geographically closer to Europe? That he can catch a cheap flight? Or his Family can drop what they are doing to see him here and there? He is 34 years old and play at a high level in Europe.

My guess unless something has changed he'll go play in europe. But think of the airline points he is missing out?

Egle Valachunas says hello!

I never said there was a direct flight to Lithuania. Yes there’s a connection but it’s cheap and fast. Obviously traveling from NY to Vilnius is at lot faster and easier than from Denver. Did you forget your medications today normally your unhinged rambling tangents are about basketball not traveling.

As if your geographical brilliance itself was related?
Your assumptions are often ignorant. I gave you context.

martin
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7/10/2026  10:04 AM
Reasoning makes sense to me but who is that young guy?

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SupremeCommander
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7/10/2026  10:57 AM
I’m really worried about the team

I thought outside of Brunson, and our depth in our starting lineup, our next best team trait was getting 48 minutes of high quality center play… so much depth

I think the team went from elite at center to very good, assuming KAT doesn’t foul

DLeethal wrote: Lol Rick needs a safe space
NYKBocker
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7/10/2026  11:28 AM
SupremeCommander wrote:I'm really worried about the team

I thought outside of Brunson, and our depth in our starting lineup, our next best team trait was getting 48 minutes of high quality center play… so much depth

I think the team went from elite at center to very good, assuming KAT doesn't foul

I agree. That's what happens when we lose someone like Big Mitch.

BlueKnickers
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7/10/2026  12:45 PM    LAST EDITED: 7/10/2026  12:45 PM


This story about who wants what has gotten totally twisted.

Natasha told me she does want Jonas to go back to the homeland so she can stay here with me

Panos
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7/10/2026  1:04 PM
SupremeCommander wrote:I'm really worried about the team

I thought outside of Brunson, and our depth in our starting lineup, our next best team trait was getting 48 minutes of high quality center play… so much depth

I think the team went from elite at center to very good, assuming KAT doesn't foul

Or....
or, the Knicks just dodged a bullet and Mitch's body continues to degrade and his new contract becomes an albatross. Time will tell.

martin
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7/10/2026  1:22 PM
Panos wrote:
SupremeCommander wrote:I'm really worried about the team

I thought outside of Brunson, and our depth in our starting lineup, our next best team trait was getting 48 minutes of high quality center play… so much depth

I think the team went from elite at center to very good, assuming KAT doesn't foul

Or....
or, the Knicks just dodged a bullet and Mitch's body continues to degrade and his new contract becomes an albatross. Time will tell.

Right, plus they were able to keep their depth, keep their ability to consolidate players in a trade, and kept their ability to go into the second apron at the time of Brunson's extension there by extending the fuller roster flexibility.

Mitch was incredible at moments for the team. But he was limited and getting worse.

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detnehoc
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7/10/2026  1:55 PM
Knixkik wrote:
martin wrote:Good recap thread of available players

Along these lines, I’ve been fooling around with some statmuse advanced stats lately. If you look at offensively rebounding efficiency, some of the most efficient per minute offensive rebounders last season include Mitch, Drummond, Hartenstein, and Sims. A lot of former Knicks plus current Knick in Drummond. The Knicks have a type for what they want in their backups. Kevon Looney was pretty high up the list, but so were Moussa Cisse and Dylan Cardwell. Both are really interesting young players. Cardwell especially has a lot of qualities Knicks front office loves. But the question is why would these teams let go of these guys ? But still these are the types of players I’m looking out for.

shinmen
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7/10/2026  3:53 PM
What's wrong with signing nick richards? He's available and the knicks were interested in signing him a couple of years ago.
newyorknewyork
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7/10/2026  3:54 PM
shinmen wrote:What's wrong with signing nick richards? He's available and the knicks were interested in signing him a couple of years ago.

He will probably be last resort unless someone else jumps in.

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Philc1
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7/10/2026  8:43 PM
shinmen wrote:What's wrong with signing nick richards? He's available and the knicks were interested in signing him a couple of years ago.

Playing hardball with the Knicks for more money. He knows we need him.

Knixkik
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7/10/2026  9:21 PM
I’m guessing Richards is waiting for a definite role as opposed to a 3rd string center role. He may feel he’s overqualified at this stage. If the Knicks even want him.
shinmen
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7/10/2026  10:19 PM
I would put richards first in the rotation over Drummond to be honest. Is he a bad player now ? Why is he not signed by anyone? Last season his
production was more than honorable. He's exactly what we need.12 boards, 15 it's and a block per 36 mn
DLeethal
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7/11/2026  8:21 AM    LAST EDITED: 7/11/2026  8:22 AM
Towns sucked for half the year. Mitch was very important for that half. As Towns got better and into the playoffs, Mitch’s role dwindled as Towns played like a star. If Towns maintains that level of play, he and Drummond and a capable 3rd stringer is just fine. If Knicks can tap into their playoff highs for the majority of the year next year they are a 60-65 win team and that’s not hyperbole. Mitch was a 12mpg guy during our best stretch of ball in 50 years. He probably hurt more than helped during that run. There’s no reason to be THAT concerned over replacing Mitch for Drummond. Especially when you consider Mitch’s injury history. Going in with the same C rotation as last year would be risky in its own right because it was very fragile and we were very lucky to not have either guy get injured all year.
MaTT4281
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7/11/2026  10:35 AM
Philc1 wrote:
shinmen wrote:What's wrong with signing nick richards? He's available and the knicks were interested in signing him a couple of years ago.

Playing hardball with the Knicks for more money. He knows we need him.

I believe the Knicks are officially limited to vet minimums at this point after resigning Shamet, Alvarado, and Mo. No negotiations over money at this point, it's either do you want to be in NY for the vet min, or no?

Nalod
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7/12/2026  10:00 AM
Philc1 wrote:
shinmen wrote:What's wrong with signing nick richards? He's available and the knicks were interested in signing him a couple of years ago.

Playing hardball with the Knicks for more money. He knows we need him.



He knows we can't pay him more.
His agent knows.
Knicks front office knows.
YOu don't.
Philc1
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7/12/2026  3:10 PM
Nalod wrote:
Philc1 wrote:
Nalod wrote:
Philc1 wrote:
Knixkik wrote:
Panos wrote:
newyorknewyork wrote:Today is the day Denver should make a decision on Valanciunas

I really want that guy. He's a viking beast.

The thing is, he wanted to play overseas last year. Is he coming here to compete with Drummond for backup duties? I know Leon was his agent which helps. But I assumed he wants to leave the nba.

NY is way closer to Europe than Denver it’s just a cheap flight from JFK away.


Give it a moment of thought. I doubt "Cheap flight" is a priority.
He is from Lithuania. His wife of 11 years also. They have a son. Are they rooted in Lithuania and does he want to be close to home and where does he want his 13 year old son schooled. From what I read last year his family moved to Lithuania. They were frustrated by the trades. Three teams in three years! His wife is not a bimbo. Has an degree in electrical engineering.
She is substantial intelectually and very attractive. He has made about $160,000,000. He has a standing offer to play in Lithuania for a very good team.

Why would he want to be a bit player off the bench for a couple mil when he did not want to play in Denver for 10mil? They held him to his contract and would not release him to play in europe. So in one year what do you think changed?

It took all of 20 seconds to see there are not direct flights from JFK to Lithuania. If there was its a "starting point of 10-13 hours". So Phil, whats your point other than NYC is geographically closer to Europe? That he can catch a cheap flight? Or his Family can drop what they are doing to see him here and there? He is 34 years old and play at a high level in Europe.

My guess unless something has changed he'll go play in europe. But think of the airline points he is missing out?

Egle Valachunas says hello!

I never said there was a direct flight to Lithuania. Yes there’s a connection but it’s cheap and fast. Obviously traveling from NY to Vilnius is at lot faster and easier than from Denver. Did you forget your medications today normally your unhinged rambling tangents are about basketball not traveling.

As if your geographical brilliance itself was related?
Your assumptions are often ignorant. I gave you context.

Please try to make sense.

Philc1
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7/12/2026  3:11 PM
Nalod wrote:
Philc1 wrote:
shinmen wrote:What's wrong with signing nick richards? He's available and the knicks were interested in signing him a couple of years ago.

Playing hardball with the Knicks for more money. He knows we need him.



He knows we can't pay him more.
His agent knows.
Knicks front office knows.
YOu don't.

They can still salary dump Deuce but you’re being manic with your assumptions again.

Philc1
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7/12/2026  3:12 PM
shinmen wrote:I would put richards first in the rotation over Drummond to be honest. Is he a bad player now ? Why is he not signed by anyone? Last season his
production was more than honorable. He's exactly what we need.12 boards, 15 it's and a block per 36 mn

Richards probably wants more money than teams are offering. Maybe he had interpersonal stuff in Chicago we don’t know about.

No Mitch, No Huk — now what?

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