GustavBahler wrote:NardDogNation wrote:y2zipper wrote:I don't like this trade much. This draft class isn't good enough for me to take 4 and 13 and the player compensation doesn't make up for it.
You can find talent anywhere and in any draft. I said this in another post but guys like Giannis Antetoukounmpo, Michael Redd, Rudy Gobert, Dennis Schroder, Draymond Green and Jae Crowder were all selected with seemingly meaningless picks in "weak drafts". Needless to say, this draft will have its difference-makers.....we'd just have to be diligent in finding them. Personally, Hield at 4 would be a start.
Im pretty sure if Rolo didnt have to deal with Fisher and Rambis as coaches last season, he would have put up all star numbers. Even with a rookie at PF, KP/Lopez were a first rate tandem who at times took it to some of the best big men in the league.
Im not opposed to trading Rolo and Melo (with his ok) but it cant be over just the 4th and 13th pick, and players who probably will not get us into the playoffs. What it will do is set the Knicks playoff hopes back a few years, make it less likely that the Knicks will be able to recruit top flight talent.
Hoping the 4th and 13th picks will pan out is a risk not worth taking. If we are going to send Melo and Rolo packing it has to be for players who will fill the void now, not 2-3 years down the road. None of the vets you mentioned will get us to the playoffs. Too much of a risk IMO for two very bankable veterans.
One of the draws for big name free agents will still be here in Kristaps Porzingis. So if we manage to hit in the lottery again (which this trade gives us multiple opportunities to do) is it that unreasonable to think we could be a playoff team in 2-3 years? And when you factor in the potential longevity of pairing a 20 year old Porzingis, with multiple lottery talents, I think it easily becomes the better alternative to what we have now. I think it's a moot point for my side though; I can't see Melo waiving his NTC unless CP3, Wade or LeBron make a major pitch for him this summer. Hopefully we are able to sign a Mike Conley or acquire CP3 this midseason/next summer to make it worthwhile.... and hopefully Melo stays healthy once we sort this all out.
That aside, do you see KP and Lopez meshing together in a more uptempo system? I loved our frontcourt last offseason but we did have the slowest pace in the league, in part, because we played a big man/midrange centric system. I wonder what the implications for their success are next season if we did speed up the tempo.
