[ IMAGES: Images ON turn off | ACCOUNT: User Status is LOCKED why? ]

Staying Below the Second Apron
Author Thread
Knixkik
Posts: 35948
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #11
USA
6/24/2026  11:27 AM
MaTT4281 wrote:
Panos wrote:
MaTT4281 wrote:Just want to give kudos to this front office. Really wasn't sure what their overall game plan would be, but they've given me the comfort to just sit back and relax while they work their magic. I have no doubt they've had their strategy in place for months on how they wanted to either keep or improve this roster going into next year, barring an absolute flameout in the post season, and really can't imagine winning the title has them taking their foot off the gas. Still expect we enter the 2nd, even if the early queues suggest otherwise.

I tend to think Mitch stays - he's too impactful, and Huk is not the replacement. Numbers are what they are, but the FO has walked the fine line so well up to this point, I assume this is accounted for in their plan, provided he doesn't get $20M/yr offers. Seems like we hit our marks with the Diawara signing and the pick conversions last night. Definitely encouraging, even as fans got tempted, then disappointed, by Carr last night. Jose or Deuce, as much as I love both, seem to be the easiest pieces to let one of them go and let Kolek step into the role for year 3.

Let's say they DON'T keep Mitch. What are the options to replace him off the bench? Which FA would you target, or do we need a trade at that point?

I think it's a definite hit if we don't retain him with our limitations already over the 1st apron.

My guess is we'd look for a vet like Andre Drummond (didn't we express some interest a couple years ago?). Otherwise we're raiding the senior center for the likes of Horford, K Love, or Brook Lopez?

If the FO already has an indication Mitch is on the move, maybe we target a big tonight in the 2nd round like Veesaar and hope that he, Huk, and Jemison step up in an important role next year, though that's far from ideal for defending champs.

Any trade for a bigger name would have us breaking up the core, so I have 0 expectation some one like Kessler is in the mix.

I agree on all of this.

AUTOADVERT
rpknicks
Posts: 20081
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 3/3/2015
Member: #6003

6/24/2026  11:28 AM
Whoever fans wanted at 24 ( zuby etc) never really stood a chance. Perhaps there was a player the knicks would have pivoted their strategy from and hopefully that comes out later. But signs seem to indicate they were looking to move out all along and probably will take the same approach tonight. I personally think mitch is worth it, even if we have to lose shamet and clarkson and others over it. His adventures at the line and on the injured list are more than cancelled by his timely Defense and rebounding and there is simply no one out there right now that can take his place. We have a 1-3 year window, perhaps and if there is a time to stretch for a ring, this is it.
Knixkik
Posts: 35948
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #11
USA
6/24/2026  12:22 PM
rpknicks wrote:Whoever fans wanted at 24 ( zuby etc) never really stood a chance. Perhaps there was a player the knicks would have pivoted their strategy from and hopefully that comes out later. But signs seem to indicate they were looking to move out all along and probably will take the same approach tonight. I personally think mitch is worth it, even if we have to lose shamet and clarkson and others over it. His adventures at the line and on the injured list are more than cancelled by his timely Defense and rebounding and there is simply no one out there right now that can take his place. We have a 1-3 year window, perhaps and if there is a time to stretch for a ring, this is it.

Best case for me was Ejiofor falling to 31. Would have been perfect. But I won’t complain.

BlueKnickers
Posts: 22025
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 12/13/2025
Member: #11677

6/24/2026  1:29 PM
I don't have enough brain cells to guess the next move so I'll spare my humble cranium and wait til 8
Philc1
Posts: 29577
Alba Posts: 2
Joined: 9/2/2020
Member: #8897

6/24/2026  3:39 PM
Knixkik wrote:
Panos wrote:
MaTT4281 wrote:Just want to give kudos to this front office. Really wasn't sure what their overall game plan would be, but they've given me the comfort to just sit back and relax while they work their magic. I have no doubt they've had their strategy in place for months on how they wanted to either keep or improve this roster going into next year, barring an absolute flameout in the post season, and really can't imagine winning the title has them taking their foot off the gas. Still expect we enter the 2nd, even if the early queues suggest otherwise.

I tend to think Mitch stays - he's too impactful, and Huk is not the replacement. Numbers are what they are, but the FO has walked the fine line so well up to this point, I assume this is accounted for in their plan, provided he doesn't get $20M/yr offers. Seems like we hit our marks with the Diawara signing and the pick conversions last night. Definitely encouraging, even as fans got tempted, then disappointed, by Carr last night. Jose or Deuce, as much as I love both, seem to be the easiest pieces to let one of them go and let Kolek step into the role for year 3.

Let's say they DON'T keep Mitch. What are the options to replace him off the bench? Which FA would you target, or do we need a trade at that point?

I’m signing Drummond and drafting Veesaar as a developmental center.
A trade for Missi or Kalkbrenner would be other options.

Drummond would be cheap I guess but he looked slower than Eddy Curry after a Chinese buffet last playoffs. I’d rather give Huk a shot and/or sign Jericho Sims.

Blade37db
Posts: 20045
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/14/2022
Member: #9047

6/24/2026  3:53 PM
Philc1 wrote:
Knixkik wrote:
Panos wrote:
MaTT4281 wrote:Just want to give kudos to this front office. Really wasn't sure what their overall game plan would be, but they've given me the comfort to just sit back and relax while they work their magic. I have no doubt they've had their strategy in place for months on how they wanted to either keep or improve this roster going into next year, barring an absolute flameout in the post season, and really can't imagine winning the title has them taking their foot off the gas. Still expect we enter the 2nd, even if the early queues suggest otherwise.

I tend to think Mitch stays - he's too impactful, and Huk is not the replacement. Numbers are what they are, but the FO has walked the fine line so well up to this point, I assume this is accounted for in their plan, provided he doesn't get $20M/yr offers. Seems like we hit our marks with the Diawara signing and the pick conversions last night. Definitely encouraging, even as fans got tempted, then disappointed, by Carr last night. Jose or Deuce, as much as I love both, seem to be the easiest pieces to let one of them go and let Kolek step into the role for year 3.

Let's say they DON'T keep Mitch. What are the options to replace him off the bench? Which FA would you target, or do we need a trade at that point?

I’m signing Drummond and drafting Veesaar as a developmental center.
A trade for Missi or Kalkbrenner would be other options.

Drummond would be cheap I guess but he looked slower than Eddy Curry after a Chinese buffet last playoffs. I’d rather give Huk a shot and/or sign Jericho Sims.

Sims has a $2.8 million player option with MIL. Don't know if he has decided on it yet.

Knixkik
Posts: 35948
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #11
USA
6/24/2026  6:26 PM
Philc1 wrote:
Knixkik wrote:
Panos wrote:
MaTT4281 wrote:Just want to give kudos to this front office. Really wasn't sure what their overall game plan would be, but they've given me the comfort to just sit back and relax while they work their magic. I have no doubt they've had their strategy in place for months on how they wanted to either keep or improve this roster going into next year, barring an absolute flameout in the post season, and really can't imagine winning the title has them taking their foot off the gas. Still expect we enter the 2nd, even if the early queues suggest otherwise.

I tend to think Mitch stays - he's too impactful, and Huk is not the replacement. Numbers are what they are, but the FO has walked the fine line so well up to this point, I assume this is accounted for in their plan, provided he doesn't get $20M/yr offers. Seems like we hit our marks with the Diawara signing and the pick conversions last night. Definitely encouraging, even as fans got tempted, then disappointed, by Carr last night. Jose or Deuce, as much as I love both, seem to be the easiest pieces to let one of them go and let Kolek step into the role for year 3.

Let's say they DON'T keep Mitch. What are the options to replace him off the bench? Which FA would you target, or do we need a trade at that point?

I’m signing Drummond and drafting Veesaar as a developmental center.
A trade for Missi or Kalkbrenner would be other options.

Drummond would be cheap I guess but he looked slower than Eddy Curry after a Chinese buffet last playoffs. I’d rather give Huk a shot and/or sign Jericho Sims.

Drummond is just a vet who can really rebound. And he can randomly make the corner 3 now. Plus he went from Mitch level free throw shooter to passable.

ToddTT
Posts: 31947
Alba Posts: 53
Joined: 8/30/2001
Member: #105
6/24/2026  7:37 PM
nycericanguy wrote:
Knixkik wrote:
nycericanguy wrote:Feels like the time to go ALL IN should be now, our guys are in their primes and this group deserves a shot to defend the title.

Mitch is needed against Wemby who could easily be back in the finals again next season. KAT has been very healthy here in NY but what if he misses significant time?

Saving the 2nd apron for 2 years down the line? IDK alot can happen by then and our guys will be aging.

If KAT misses significant time then we are relying on more than Mitch. If KAT were hurt in the playoffs you simply aren’t replacing him. My issue with Mitch he is still won’t play back to backs, will average low minutes even when KAT is out, and will be fouled to extreme levels in the playoffs which limited him to 14 mpg in the playoffs. Are we going over the second apron for 14 mpg ?

Mitch is more than capable of filling in if KAT were to miss 25-30 games.

Based on history, I would expect Mitch to fill in admirably. Playing starter minutes. For one or two games.

Then miss half a season.

Oh good lord... https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XkmGrX7O0lQ
BigRedDog
Posts: 22236
Alba Posts: 2
Joined: 1/23/2004
Member: #569
6/24/2026  10:42 PM
Philc1 wrote:
Knixkik wrote:
Panos wrote:
MaTT4281 wrote:Just want to give kudos to this front office. Really wasn't sure what their overall game plan would be, but they've given me the comfort to just sit back and relax while they work their magic. I have no doubt they've had their strategy in place for months on how they wanted to either keep or improve this roster going into next year, barring an absolute flameout in the post season, and really can't imagine winning the title has them taking their foot off the gas. Still expect we enter the 2nd, even if the early queues suggest otherwise.

I tend to think Mitch stays - he's too impactful, and Huk is not the replacement. Numbers are what they are, but the FO has walked the fine line so well up to this point, I assume this is accounted for in their plan, provided he doesn't get $20M/yr offers. Seems like we hit our marks with the Diawara signing and the pick conversions last night. Definitely encouraging, even as fans got tempted, then disappointed, by Carr last night. Jose or Deuce, as much as I love both, seem to be the easiest pieces to let one of them go and let Kolek step into the role for year 3.

Let's say they DON'T keep Mitch. What are the options to replace him off the bench? Which FA would you target, or do we need a trade at that point?

I’m signing Drummond and drafting Veesaar as a developmental center.
A trade for Missi or Kalkbrenner would be other options.

Drummond would be cheap I guess but he looked slower than Eddy Curry after a Chinese buffet last playoffs. I’d rather give Huk a shot and/or sign Jericho Sims.

Please NO Sims I didn't see him in Milwaukee but he really didn't show anything here

fishmike 9/27/2024 11:00 PM Ug I hate this. The idea of Towns is great until you see what a pussy he is. Jules is a dog. DD was a flamethrower locked up cheap for 3 more years. First Leon move I hate
Knixkik
Posts: 35948
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #11
USA
6/25/2026  9:54 AM    LAST EDITED: 6/25/2026  9:55 AM
So just looking at some possibilities based on where things stand;

5 starters at 192M
deuce and Jose (if he opts out and we extend him with a lower first year amount of 3.5M) puts them around 7M combined. So we are at 199M for 7 players.
Kolek and Diawara combined can come in as low as 4.5M next year.
Knicks could give Kayil and Nickel the second round minimum each. 1.35M each so 2.7M total.
That’s 11 players (we are moving Dadiet in this scenario) and a little over 206M in total, with 3 roster spots to fill.
16M in second apron space. Minus 2.5 for a minimum contract guy leaves 13.5. Not saying that’s enough to resign both Mitch and Shamet, but this is looking like a best case number to work with on these guys. Is it doable? Probably not, but you never know right ?

Staying Below the Second Apron

©2001-2025 ultimateknicks.comm All rights reserved. About Us.
This site is not affiliated with the NY Knicks or the National Basketball Association in any way.
You may visit the official NY Knicks web site by clicking here.

All times (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time.

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy