martin wrote:

toodarkmark wrote:In the last hypothetical, why is Calderon's cap hit 2,569,475? If they were to use a stretch provision on him, wouldn't 1/5th of his salary be 1,541,685?

I dont know if I would want to waive Calderon, but if the Knicks do sign someone at the point, either Grant, Galloway or Calderon are gone.

I think Early is gone, and it would be great for O'Quinn to be moved for a second rounder opening up his 3,918,750. I also believe that Afflalo and L. Thomas will stay and DWill will leave for a starting job. So I think the cap space could be 26,184,810 plus whatever opens up at the PG position. Which could make it 32,351,552 if they were to waive Calderon and my math is right.

That would be a really big surprise to me.

nyknickzingis wrote:I'd like to keep most of the roster. This team can better with time, and has young players in Porzingis, Grant, Galloway and DWill that are 25 or younger and have potential to keep improving into their primes. The major question is what will it cost to keep DWill and then likely want to re-sign Afflalo as well. Lance Thomas another guy to ponder re-signing, but at what price?

The main thing is guys know their roles and the Triangle is an offense that takes time to learn. This group should be better in year 2 at running it than this year. You make 4-5 changes and now you've got to re-start the whole thing again.

Currently this rotation (with a healthy Melo, Afflalo and KP) has been able to go 18-14 (4 games without Melo, 8 games without Afflalo). 22-18 with Melo/KP. There's still growth left within what we have. We don't want to lose that. We want that PLUS some talent coming in (especially in the backcourt).

Lopez/Porzingis/O'Quinn
Porzingis/Williams
Melo/Thomas
Afflalo/Galloway
Calderon/Grant/Galloway

I think where the Knicks can really improve is the backcourt obviously. But what type of player is truly needed? Someone that can defend as Calderon is completely outmatched there physically (even though he tries). Someone that can knock down 3's and outside shots (A big weakness and part of why we can't rely on Grant yet). Someone that is comfortable bringing the ball up and playing off Melo/KP or letting the Triangle create an open/good look for him.

Lets be conservative and say we have about 15 million left in space after keeping rights to or agreeing to re-sign the guys in the rotation currently.

Players I'd look at

Kent Brazemore - wouldn't help our PG position, but take the load of Afflalo, is 26 years old, can shoot the 3 really well. Has good size at 6'5. Would mean Galloway and Grant are our main PG's next year, with Calderon as 3rd string. Brazemore would command I think a 4 year deal at 12-15 million per.

Lance Stephenson - having a real bad 2 years, but Indiana ran a very similar offense to what NY runs and he played very well of Paul George and helped facilitate the offense. Real headcase, however a physical talent. Versatile enough to play 1, 2 or 3. Would have to be a short deal, something like Derrrick Williams got this year.

Eric Gordon - someone who would be instant offense and carry the 2nd unit offense completely. Could play both 1 and 2 for us in the offense. Would likely command a 3 year deal at 15 million per year or more. Not a big fan of his game, but he'd give us plenty of shot/play creating skill and he can also knock down 3's playing off Melo/KP/Triangle.

Even if we add 1 backcourt player to the current team who can consistently give them 10-15 points a night, I think it goes far with this group. The team is loaded up front. They have some solid young guard talent in Galloway and Grant - both of whom can defend. The key next season will be phase Calderon out slowly into a 3rd string PG (more of a Sasha role than a starting role) and get someone that can ease the minutes load on Afflalo. Realize the last thing we want for a team with Melo playing a point forward role like LBJ, KP playing/developing into a 2nd option star - the Triangle - is to have a ball dominant guy come in and take a ton of shots and mess up the chemistry and player development we have going on. We need 1-2 significant moves. One has to be a 1 or 2 guard that can start or play big minutes to allow less reliance on Calderon/Afflalo. Second has to be someone that can defend. We have defensive potential with Grant/Galloway/Porzingis but still can get more defensive help at the perimeter.

If we even say sign Lance Stephenson (8 million/2 years) and Eric Gordon (50 million/4 years), while being able to re-sign Williams, Afflalo, Thomas and Galloway, I'd be quite happy.

If all Knicks came away with was Lance and Eric, I would consider that a big fail. But I also dont think it would come to that. Not Phil types of dudes.

No one is giving Lance $8M. No one. And EGordan has been hurt too often to justify $50M.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:Great summary. The Knicks needs are all in the back court. Do not touch the front court. Let's build some continuity there.

C Lopez/O'Quinn
PF Porzingis/Dwill
SF Anthony/Thomas

We are covered up front in the first and 2nd unit. A lot of questions remain, but they are all in the backcourt. We need to determine what guards best upgrade what we have right now and fit with our current frontcourt.

For me, lots of questions with KOQ as a backup C. Willy coming so that will add some depth. Jordan Bachynski Seemingly like a possible 3rd string C.

Right, plenty of options here for 3rd string guys. I hope one of them emerges. KP will essentially play backup center as well when Lopez is out. KOQ is a quality depth guy who is well worth his contract and as a backup center to me.

ChuckBuck wrote:The biggest question really is to gamble on Conley/Batum this season or go all in next season on Westbrook/CP3.

Either way, to come out with absolutely nothing or dud free agents would screw this franchise for years to come. Melo's remaining decent corpse wasted, and KP's rising star squandered.

Have to strike while the iron's hot...

While i like Westbrook and CP3 I don't see this happening even if they wanted to come here (unless they were willing to take a pay discount and I don't see that). They just cost too much compared to their value in the triangle.

I expect he'll go for a longer, but not sexy pg. (I was wondering about Burk last night but then realized he's too short for Phil) I also expect Phil to look for perhaps a one-dimensional three point specialist (1-dimensional to keep cost down), i.e., a knock down shooter in the mold of a Kerr or paxton

and as far as the higher profile guys, I think it will be a multi-dimensional wing. A lot of good suggestions on this thread (e.g., Batum) but somehow think it will be some guy right in front of our nose that we're not talking about. My own unfounded theory (subject to change without notice) is a run at the Greek Freak

Chandler wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:The biggest question really is to gamble on Conley/Batum this season or go all in next season on Westbrook/CP3.

Either way, to come out with absolutely nothing or dud free agents would screw this franchise for years to come. Melo's remaining decent corpse wasted, and KP's rising star squandered.

Have to strike while the iron's hot...

While i like Westbrook and CP3 I don't see this happening even if they wanted to come here (unless they were willing to take a pay discount and I don't see that). They just cost too much compared to their value in the triangle.

I expect he'll go for a longer, but not sexy pg. (I was wondering about Burk last night but then realized he's too short for Phil) I also expect Phil to look for perhaps a one-dimensional three point specialist (1-dimensional to keep cost down), i.e., a knock down shooter in the mold of a Kerr or paxton

and as far as the higher profile guys, I think it will be a multi-dimensional wing. A lot of good suggestions on this thread (e.g., Batum) but somehow think it will be some guy right in front of our nose that we're not talking about. My own unfounded theory (subject to change without notice) is a run at the Greek Freak

Freddette as that knockdown shooter like Kerr seems like the plan to me.

NardDogNation wrote:OJ Mayo for PG, anyone? Guy seems like a perfect fit for that in the triangle.

I've always liked Mayo's game - but it seems like he's never really found the right system. I could see him as a Ron Harper type PG in the Triangle. That's not a bad option at all.

I agree. This team is going to be better next year even if we don't add any free agents. Ideally, D-Will and AA will not opt out of their deals, and then we can make a huge FA push in the summer of 2017. KP and Grant will be better next year, and Galloway, D-Will, and Thomas still can improve. There is no need to overspend for a marginal upgrade. We should wait until a true young superstar becomes available

I throw out names like Lance Stephenson and even Eric Gordon only because they could come for well below what they've been making in a time where guys are being overpaid hand over foot. Getting bargains like we did with Derrick Williams and Afflalo is the way to keep going. You don't blow your max type of money on Mike Conley's or DeRozan's even. These guys aren't superstars. They won't elevate you to the level of Golden State is at.