I would love to see the Knicks make a play for Gasol. Another mentor for KP and solid guy to bring off the bench.

Gallo had a poor November and December but he is sporting a .583 TS%. Plus he hardly ever turns the ball over, shoots well from 3, and plays good defense. He is also only a 2nd year player

Lance is showing improved offensive and defensive ability that is unique for someone who could be had for $6m or so. If he continues his play you get another 3 and D guy who can guard 1-4 at times.

These two guys should not be going anywhere

The real issues are between AA, D.Will, O'Quinn, and Calderon and do you move one to free up max space and money to keep two/three of the four? Also, what do you want to get from trading one of those players? Do you want 2nd rd picks and cap space? Do you want to get an established player who is clashing with their teams future plans? If it is cap space you might get it but what good is cap space when your team isn't appealing to FAs? Why did Monroe do the Knicks a favor and choose Milwaukee over the Knicks? Even though the Triangle fit his skills he chose to play with a team on the uptick who were in the playoffs the year before. If you get an establish player he might take away from the cap space created.

AA is being paid $8m with an option for next year. The knicks can pay him 120% over his last salary. AA has been what he has pretty much always been. A good offensive player that does not do too much else. He has had his big moments but paying him more than $10m is silly, imo.

Calderon, is a stop gap that can knock down an open jumper when he chooses to shoot or when he doesn't play the spurs. He also does a good job not turning the ball over. He maybe a valuable back up to a contender.

O'Quin is in the dog house but is still youngish and in his 1st year of a new system. He has a great contract and provides decent depth as a back up Center.

D.Will has been coming on strong and likely opts out of his contract. The knicks do not have any way to keep him and give a player the max. D.Will is still young and could be a potential boom player. He provides athleticism and the ability to get to the line that the knicks. He is another offensive player like AA and Calderon but his age and potential a is huge asset.

The problem with trading guys is that it breaks continuity. The triangle is not an easy offense to perfect. You need seasons to process the details and gain familiarity with your teammates movements. If it comes down to letting a player go then I would chose AA because he is the most easily replaced in free agency. He's old and only plays well on one side of the ball. He may provide leadership which does count for something. However, if you get Batum how much is he needed on the bench? the coring could come from a younger guy in D.Will.

MS wrote:The new NBA is very scary. How can teams realistically build a championship contender. The Knicks are really in a bad spot without a draft pick.

Marginal Role Players are getting near max deals. In what world are players like Tristan Thompson (16MM) Iman Shumpert (10MM) Carroll (15MM)Harrison Barnes (16MM a year turned down)

So it's virtually impossible for the Knicks to build a contender in today's market. Everyone on the team is and will get a raise and that leaves limited free agent money out there. Lance is going to get 6MM on the open market and Galloway probably in the same range. Affalo has earned himself 12MMN a season so our cap is going to be eaten up by a lot of our guys. All three are extremely important for our culture. I think you keep them, it's very important for this team to get in the playoffs and show folks things are different in NYC now. Phil needs it, Fisher needs it.

OK but the problem with that is that this team is not winning any championships and would be lucky to get out of the 1st round of the playoffs so you'd be content with that?? Not me.

Chandler wrote:

Cartman718 wrote:

Chandler wrote:with absolutely no factual basis whatsoever, i have a hunch that Phil covets the Greek Freak

anteto brothers deal similar to morris bros?

maybe. I think Phil sees a little Lamar Odom in the Greek Freak, sans the drugs and other nonsense. Long, versatile, plays selflessly and can really flourish in the right role.

Not so sure about Thannis though. He might be bait. Or he might be just a tantalizing athletic talent who never puts it together

I also think they're much lower risk than Morris brother, but that's just a hunch. Those guys or at least the towel-thrower have a few screws loose.

Giannis and Lamar are not alike at all in the way they play the game. The only thing that they have in common is that they're both long but they play the game differently and they play different positions. What makes you have this hunch?? He's never said anything about him like that or is it just cause of the type of player he is??

newyorker4ever wrote:

Chandler wrote:

Cartman718 wrote:

Chandler wrote:with absolutely no factual basis whatsoever, i have a hunch that Phil covets the Greek Freak

anteto brothers deal similar to morris bros?

maybe. I think Phil sees a little Lamar Odom in the Greek Freak, sans the drugs and other nonsense. Long, versatile, plays selflessly and can really flourish in the right role.

Not so sure about Thannis though. He might be bait. Or he might be just a tantalizing athletic talent who never puts it together

I also think they're much lower risk than Morris brother, but that's just a hunch. Those guys or at least the towel-thrower have a few screws loose.

Giannis and Lamar are not alike at all in the way they play the game. The only thing that they have in common is that they're both long but they play the game differently and they play different positions. What makes you have this hunch?? He's never said anything about him like that or is it just cause of the type of player he is??

really not super thought out. Hunch is based on Phil's love of length, and Lamar and Giannis are loooong. And they're both very versatile. You could play Giannis at a number of positions and be a mismatch at any one of them. Too quick for many PF; too big for most SF. That and they're both willing passers; i think that's an underrated part of his game. Giannis is totally capable of bringing it up the floor in a hurry -- however tall he is now 6'10". And just like Lamar he'd have to have a plan on how he would flourish where he didn't before (at least not as much), which by the way we seem to be seeing at present with DWill.

If I were Phil I wouldn't be talking him up publicly because (a) it's not permitted and (b) poor poker play. And if you're into diabolical conspiracy theories (my hobby), Phil baited Milwaukee into paying Monroe big money so they couldn't/wouldn't match a RFA tender. And even more musing, if you were Giannis where would you rather play?

Chandler wrote:

newyorker4ever wrote:

Chandler wrote:

Cartman718 wrote:

Chandler wrote:with absolutely no factual basis whatsoever, i have a hunch that Phil covets the Greek Freak

anteto brothers deal similar to morris bros?

maybe. I think Phil sees a little Lamar Odom in the Greek Freak, sans the drugs and other nonsense. Long, versatile, plays selflessly and can really flourish in the right role.

Not so sure about Thannis though. He might be bait. Or he might be just a tantalizing athletic talent who never puts it together

I also think they're much lower risk than Morris brother, but that's just a hunch. Those guys or at least the towel-thrower have a few screws loose.

Giannis and Lamar are not alike at all in the way they play the game. The only thing that they have in common is that they're both long but they play the game differently and they play different positions. What makes you have this hunch?? He's never said anything about him like that or is it just cause of the type of player he is??

really not super thought out. Hunch is based on Phil's love of length, and Lamar and Giannis are loooong. And they're both very versatile. You could play Giannis at a number of positions and be a mismatch at any one of them. Too quick for many PF; too big for most SF. That and they're both willing passers; i think that's an underrated part of his game. Giannis is totally capable of bringing it up the floor in a hurry -- however tall he is now 6'10". And just like Lamar he'd have to have a plan on how he would flourish where he didn't before (at least not as much), which by the way we seem to be seeing at present with DWill.

If I were Phil I wouldn't be talking him up publicly because (a) it's not permitted and (b) poor poker play. And if you're into diabolical conspiracy theories (my hobby), Phil baited Milwaukee into paying Monroe big money so they couldn't/wouldn't match a RFA tender. And even more musing, if you were Giannis where would you rather play?

Excellent idea

yellowboy90 wrote:

newyorker4ever wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:We have discussed the free agencies of Gallo and Thomas before. The knicks hold their early-bird rights which means they can go over the cap to sign each one.. The great thing about this is that their cap holds are tiny, Lance(130% of current salary) and Gallo(120% of current salary). Gallo is even better because he is a RFA and falls under the Gilbert Arenas provision, which protects any team from offering more than the MLE and the knicks can match any offer. Look for another O'Quinn type deal.

Gallo had a poor November and December but he is sporting a .583 TS%. Plus he hardly ever turns the ball over, shoots well from 3, and plays good defense. He is also only a 2nd year player

Lance is showing improved offensive and defensive ability that is unique for someone who could be had for $6m or so. If he continues his play you get another 3 and D guy who can guard 1-4 at times.

These two guys should not be going anywhere

The real issues are between AA, D.Will, O'Quinn, and Calderon and do you move one to free up max space and money to keep two/three of the four? Also, what do you want to get from trading one of those players? Do you want 2nd rd picks and cap space? Do you want to get an established player who is clashing with their teams future plans? If it is cap space you might get it but what good is cap space when your team isn't appealing to FAs? Why did Monroe do the Knicks a favor and choose Milwaukee over the Knicks? Even though the Triangle fit his skills he chose to play with a team on the uptick who were in the playoffs the year before. If you get an establish player he might take away from the cap space created.

AA is being paid $8m with an option for next year. The knicks can pay him 120% over his last salary. AA has been what he has pretty much always been. A good offensive player that does not do too much else. He has had his big moments but paying him more than $10m is silly, imo.

Calderon, is a stop gap that can knock down an open jumper when he chooses to shoot or when he doesn't play the spurs. He also does a good job not turning the ball over. He maybe a valuable back up to a contender.

O'Quin is in the dog house but is still youngish and in his 1st year of a new system. He has a great contract and provides decent depth as a back up Center.

D.Will has been coming on strong and likely opts out of his contract. The knicks do not have any way to keep him and give a player the max. D.Will is still young and could be a potential boom player. He provides athleticism and the ability to get to the line that the knicks. He is another offensive player like AA and Calderon but his age and potential a is huge asset.

The problem with trading guys is that it breaks continuity. The triangle is not an easy offense to perfect. You need seasons to process the details and gain familiarity with your teammates movements. If it comes down to letting a player go then I would chose AA because he is the most easily replaced in free agency. He's old and only plays well on one side of the ball. He may provide leadership which does count for something. However, if you get Batum how much is he needed on the bench? the coring could come from a younger guy in D.Will.

Well finally someone kind of went with what this thread is about. So with Lance and Gallo we can go over the cap with and it won't effect our cap then right?? AA and DW both have opt outs in their contracts and i'm sure both are gonna use those opt outs cause they've both played well enough that they'll be getting bigger offers from other teams but the problem is for us to bring both back it will hurt the money we have to bring in a significant player which is what we really need so this is the question that this whole thread is about that nobody seems to be answering.....Do we just trade a DW or AA which will hurt us for making the playoffs this year but it will help this rebuild we're in cause we can get some draft picks for them instead of losing one or two of them after this year for nothing?? I think with the way either are playing we could get a 1st round pick easily for each one of them which we have zero draft picks in this next draft. If i were Phil and i got the feeling that any of these guys weren't gonna be with us next year whether that being cause we can't afford what they'll be wanting or whatever it is then i'd absolutely trade that or those players.

I doubt you will get a 1st for Afflalo or Williams because teams no their a 1 year rentals and they will not carry any bird rights with them in a trade. Also, if you trade them to create the space for a max guy(Batum) you will likely miss the playoffs and ruin your attractiveness to FAs. Let's say they have 1st rd value, it will most likely be to a playoff team looking for an extra boost so that pick will probably turn into a protected late 1st rd pick. A better option would be to find 3-way deals for players with years left on their contracts but at a lower salary. That way you can keep your playoffs hopes alive and transfer the pick to a third team looking to rebuild slowly. However, you risk chances of them not fitting into the scheme and/or them disrupting the synergy created by the player they were traded for.

Would a late 1st get you a Will Barton, Ben McLemore, Kevin martin, or Allen Crabbe?

Re: Lance

His FA only becomes a problem if a team pays him over 104% of the leagues average. Say a team offers him over $6m+ it might get dicey and the knicks would have to tap into their cap space. Hopefully he is willing to take a lesser two year deal like AA or DW to gain his full bird rights in 2017 and make up the $1-3m lost.

I would love to get W.Barton or A.Crabbe but it would take a good amount to get either one. Barton would be great for us and i'd rather have him at our starting 2 spot then A.Afflalo.