EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Hear me out ...

Russell Westbrook as a guy to backup Jalen and also play 10 mins next to him.

I feel what we need is a legit backup guard who can play on/off with Jalen like Quickly did.

And a C who can play on/off with Towns.

Westbrook and Walker Kessler. I like Caris Levert as well. Westbrook also brings a ton of fire that this team currently lacks.

I hope we go into next year with a brand new bench including moving on from Deuce and Mitch. Love Deuce but he's just too small for what we need and can't be lead ball handler ever.

What do you think Kessler commands in salary? And why wouldn’t Utah pay that amount +$1?

I just know we’ve had a hardon for him for like a year and a half and reminds me of OG who we heard rumors about for years and finally got him. I think this season showed us how badly we need a backup F/C to play a signicant role and go on/off with KAT.

DLeethal wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Hear me out ...

Russell Westbrook as a guy to backup Jalen and also play 10 mins next to him.

I feel what we need is a legit backup guard who can play on/off with Jalen like Quickly did.

And a C who can play on/off with Towns.

Westbrook and Walker Kessler. I like Caris Levert as well. Westbrook also brings a ton of fire that this team currently lacks.

I hope we go into next year with a brand new bench including moving on from Deuce and Mitch. Love Deuce but he's just too small for what we need and can't be lead ball handler ever.

What do you think Kessler commands in salary? And why wouldn’t Utah pay that amount +$1?

I just know we’ve had a hardon for him for like a year and a half and reminds me of OG who we heard rumors about for years and finally got him. I think this season showed us how badly we need a backup F/C to play a signicant role and go on/off with KAT.

Yeah you right

DLeethal wrote:Hear me out ...

Russell Westbrook as a guy to backup Jalen and also play 10 mins next to him.

I feel what we need is a legit backup guard who can play on/off with Jalen like Quickly did.

And a C who can play on/off with Towns.

Westbrook and Walker Kessler. I like Caris Levert as well. Westbrook also brings a ton of fire that this team currently lacks.

I hope we go into next year with a brand new bench including moving on from Deuce and Mitch. Love Deuce but he's just too small for what we need and can't be lead ball handler ever.

Russ is basically Josh Hart now...but possibly worse shooting the ball. Does similar things for a team though because of his motor and athletcism.

VDesai wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Hear me out ...

Russell Westbrook as a guy to backup Jalen and also play 10 mins next to him.

I feel what we need is a legit backup guard who can play on/off with Jalen like Quickly did.

And a C who can play on/off with Towns.

Westbrook and Walker Kessler. I like Caris Levert as well. Westbrook also brings a ton of fire that this team currently lacks.

I hope we go into next year with a brand new bench including moving on from Deuce and Mitch. Love Deuce but he's just too small for what we need and can't be lead ball handler ever.

Russ is basically Josh Hart now...but possibly worse shooting the ball. Does similar things for a team though because of his motor and athletcism.

Worse shooting but MUCH better ball handling and downhill mentality. If a C was put on him, he automatically puts his head down (if he ain't shooting) and going heads down at the rim.

Alpha1971 wrote:The Cavs signed Strus and Niang a few of seasons ago. Strus has béen useful and Niang was included in a big deal this trade deadline. If we can make two low key pickups like that this off-season we will be much improved.

Those moves were made under a different CBA. I believe Strus signed for a little over the mid-level and Niang signed for 3/$26M. I can say for certain that Niang isn't touching that deal today. The second tax apron has teams scared crapless and it"s going to be tough pull anyone decent without some under the table shenanigans.

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Hear me out ...

Russell Westbrook as a guy to backup Jalen and also play 10 mins next to him.

I feel what we need is a legit backup guard who can play on/off with Jalen like Quickly did.

And a C who can play on/off with Towns.

Westbrook and Walker Kessler. I like Caris Levert as well. Westbrook also brings a ton of fire that this team currently lacks.

I hope we go into next year with a brand new bench including moving on from Deuce and Mitch. Love Deuce but he's just too small for what we need and can't be lead ball handler ever.

What do you think Kessler commands in salary? And why wouldn’t Utah pay that amount +$1?

I just know we’ve had a hardon for him for like a year and a half and reminds me of OG who we heard rumors about for years and finally got him. I think this season showed us how badly we need a backup F/C to play a signicant role and go on/off with KAT.

Yeah you right

He carries the same conversational tone. I just think Kessler's new salary (wherever that ends up) may be difficult to match in NY. Easier to talk about a guy making $3.3mm than whatever he ends up at. Could be wrong. I have no sense of pricing on this guy at this point.

martin wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Hear me out ...

Russell Westbrook as a guy to backup Jalen and also play 10 mins next to him.

I feel what we need is a legit backup guard who can play on/off with Jalen like Quickly did.

And a C who can play on/off with Towns.

Westbrook and Walker Kessler. I like Caris Levert as well. Westbrook also brings a ton of fire that this team currently lacks.

I hope we go into next year with a brand new bench including moving on from Deuce and Mitch. Love Deuce but he's just too small for what we need and can't be lead ball handler ever.

What do you think Kessler commands in salary? And why wouldn’t Utah pay that amount +$1?

I just know we’ve had a hardon for him for like a year and a half and reminds me of OG who we heard rumors about for years and finally got him. I think this season showed us how badly we need a backup F/C to play a signicant role and go on/off with KAT.

Yeah you right

He carries the same conversational tone. I just think Kessler's new salary (wherever that ends up) may be difficult to match in NY. Easier to talk about a guy making $3.3mm than whatever he ends up at. Could be wrong. I have no sense of pricing on this guy at this point.

It's won't matter, at that point Mikal's extension kicks in and Knicks will be over second apron.

Knicks have this next season to make the moves they need to make until they are as hamstrung as the other second apron top teams - BOS, CLE, DEN, IND, HOU, GSW etc.

It only mattered because I was 100% wrong. I had it in my head Kessler was due for a salary increase this year except he appears to have another club option at $4.8m.

DLeethal wrote:Bol Bol is a decent option as a backup big as well.

And he can hit free throws!

Panos wrote:

JesseDark wrote:I know we are still on a playoff high after the Detroit series, but any available free agents you think we should kick the tires on? https://hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba-free-agent-rankings-the-best-players-available-this-summer

Malik Beasly - 3pt shooting
Jaylin Williams - don;t really know his game but his stars fit the bill
Bol Bol - always liked what he can do as a unicorn player

We can use shooting like Beasly's but not sure his attitude/off court will fit.
I like Jaylin Williams. Comes from a winning culture and does a bit of everything.

My top pick would be Naz Reid as backup C
Would also be happy with Clint Capela or Steven Adam's to replace Mitch

Others possibilities:
Bones Hyland, Luke Kennard, Trent Jr or Seth Curry for bench sharp shooting
Cam Thomas as starting SG or Larry Nance Jr at PF to move Bridges or Josh to bench?
CP3 backup PG
Nicolis Batum for bench vet

- Kennard I've never liked until more recently - a legit shooter with quick trigger and knows how to move ball and himself.
- the other guards Hyland, Trent and Seth I would say no.
- Cam Thomas would be great as we need someone to score off bounce
- CP3 -- I don't know he could create a big lift for Kat
- Batum YES YES YES

VDesai wrote:Can we get Ty Jerome? Local kid. Has been a killer for the Cavs.

I think he probably gets more than the mid level

He would be GREAT -- can play with and without Jalen -- I expect he would be out of our price range or just stay with Cavs.

Knixkik wrote:For the Taypayer MLE of 5.7M we will need someone good to come at a discount who wants a big role on a winning team. Maybe someone to allow Hart to move back to his 6th man role.

A few options who might be on the high end of realistic are:
Caris LeVert (CAA)
G Yabusele (CAA)
Luke Kennard (CAA)
Jake LaRavia (young shooter)
Amir Coffey

Just a few who peak my interest at that price point.

Kennard I could see being on the floor for us in both Piston/Celtic series - smart player, outstanding shooter and moves well.

We need to find some like Jerome who can imitate real offense better than guys like Deuce/Cam.