Rookie wrote:

Nalod wrote:The kid is 20 and an opportunity is more valuable sometimes then some contracts. That he proved himself is one thing but he also owes the team the benefit of the doubt given few contending teams let rookies do what he is doing. With the right coach and staff in place that is very important than say go to a **** team with cap space and take nice 2 year-3 year deal. He is learning, surrounded by a mature group of players, and thriving. So rare this happens. Ask Frank. Ask Trier. Frank was drafted into chaos and he failed to execute. Trier was given a golden ticket/contract and was never to be seen again. Shit happens for many reasons. Not just Knicks either.

I know we all excited about his upside and if true the money will come regardless. Im not saying he ownes us a debt of graditude he should repay to his detriment. He, his agent, and the knicks had a plan and he fulfilled/executed his end wonderfully. Relationships that work are rare and I gather this FO, lead by an very smart former agent knows how to lay it all out to everyones benefit.

Maybe what we miss is we don't bring everyone back thus creating salary spots that can be filled. ON the surface Mitch and perhaps Josh could be gone. I don't know how our FO feels about Giannis and at what price. That itself will create massive change.

While there is value in running it back one more year with this core under Brown if there is still a higher ceiling with the same group, one can also say if we don't go to finals with Mitch and Josh, then maybe there is another path?
Same with KAT, OG and Mikal I suppose.

I don't see it, but all things I gather are on the table. That also includes at some level and in time Diawa becomming a really good trade chip. Kind of like Deuce with his current contract. Its another reason development is important. They create opportunities (IQ).

I thought the graphic during the SAS game sunday that Spurs get so much production from drafted players while the knicks hardly get any was interesting. They were not critical, just said there were different paths.

With the cap situation I don’t see us keeping our FRP either. Maybe we just kick it down the road because going over that second apron looks like a bad way to go.

I said this in another thread. Knicks have TOO MANY young players, with high potential, who would be free agents this Summer.

Diawara
Hukporti
McCullar
Jamison

Out of this group, the only one I would be "kind of" ok of letting go is Jamison but Huk, McCullar and Diawara are the next wave that can step up and replace, Mitch, Hart and OG. I think the Knicks FO know this too and, if there isn't a play for Giannis this off season, I can see Rose trading ALL of '26 draft for future picks in order to stay under the cap in order to keep our guys

Swishfm3 wrote:

Rookie wrote:

Nalod wrote:The kid is 20 and an opportunity is more valuable sometimes then some contracts. That he proved himself is one thing but he also owes the team the benefit of the doubt given few contending teams let rookies do what he is doing. With the right coach and staff in place that is very important than say go to a **** team with cap space and take nice 2 year-3 year deal. He is learning, surrounded by a mature group of players, and thriving. So rare this happens. Ask Frank. Ask Trier. Frank was drafted into chaos and he failed to execute. Trier was given a golden ticket/contract and was never to be seen again. Shit happens for many reasons. Not just Knicks either.

I know we all excited about his upside and if true the money will come regardless. Im not saying he ownes us a debt of graditude he should repay to his detriment. He, his agent, and the knicks had a plan and he fulfilled/executed his end wonderfully. Relationships that work are rare and I gather this FO, lead by an very smart former agent knows how to lay it all out to everyones benefit.

Maybe what we miss is we don't bring everyone back thus creating salary spots that can be filled. ON the surface Mitch and perhaps Josh could be gone. I don't know how our FO feels about Giannis and at what price. That itself will create massive change.

While there is value in running it back one more year with this core under Brown if there is still a higher ceiling with the same group, one can also say if we don't go to finals with Mitch and Josh, then maybe there is another path?
Same with KAT, OG and Mikal I suppose.

I don't see it, but all things I gather are on the table. That also includes at some level and in time Diawa becomming a really good trade chip. Kind of like Deuce with his current contract. Its another reason development is important. They create opportunities (IQ).

I thought the graphic during the SAS game sunday that Spurs get so much production from drafted players while the knicks hardly get any was interesting. They were not critical, just said there were different paths.

With the cap situation I don’t see us keeping our FRP either. Maybe we just kick it down the road because going over that second apron looks like a bad way to go.

I said this in another thread. Knicks have TOO MANY young players, with high potential, who would be free agents this Summer.

Diawara
Hukporti
McCullar
Jamison

Out of this group, the only one I would be "kind of" ok of letting go is Jamison but Huk, McCullar and Diawara are the next wave that can step up and replace, Mitch, Hart and OG. I think the Knicks FO know this too and, if there isn't a play for Giannis this off season, I can see Rose trading ALL of '26 draft for future picks in order to stay under the cap in order to keep our guys

Hukporti is not an essential must keep player. He's a nice insurance player to have to see if he gets better, but he has not taken a considerable leap to consider him a priority.

McCullar most certainly is. He's waiting his turn and is slept on right now, but the guy is a defensive stud with good fundamentals on both ends of the court. I expect the FO to try and keep him.

BlueKnickers wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

Rookie wrote:

Nalod wrote:The kid is 20 and an opportunity is more valuable sometimes then some contracts. That he proved himself is one thing but he also owes the team the benefit of the doubt given few contending teams let rookies do what he is doing. With the right coach and staff in place that is very important than say go to a **** team with cap space and take nice 2 year-3 year deal. He is learning, surrounded by a mature group of players, and thriving. So rare this happens. Ask Frank. Ask Trier. Frank was drafted into chaos and he failed to execute. Trier was given a golden ticket/contract and was never to be seen again. Shit happens for many reasons. Not just Knicks either.

I know we all excited about his upside and if true the money will come regardless. Im not saying he ownes us a debt of graditude he should repay to his detriment. He, his agent, and the knicks had a plan and he fulfilled/executed his end wonderfully. Relationships that work are rare and I gather this FO, lead by an very smart former agent knows how to lay it all out to everyones benefit.

Maybe what we miss is we don't bring everyone back thus creating salary spots that can be filled. ON the surface Mitch and perhaps Josh could be gone. I don't know how our FO feels about Giannis and at what price. That itself will create massive change.

While there is value in running it back one more year with this core under Brown if there is still a higher ceiling with the same group, one can also say if we don't go to finals with Mitch and Josh, then maybe there is another path?
Same with KAT, OG and Mikal I suppose.

I don't see it, but all things I gather are on the table. That also includes at some level and in time Diawa becomming a really good trade chip. Kind of like Deuce with his current contract. Its another reason development is important. They create opportunities (IQ).

I thought the graphic during the SAS game sunday that Spurs get so much production from drafted players while the knicks hardly get any was interesting. They were not critical, just said there were different paths.

If you could choose only one of Deuce and Alvarado who you got? Deuce’s next contract is going to hurt, could be time to move on and stick with the veteran minimum guy. Besides we have a guy who’s not really a point guard but too small to be a shooting guard named Brunson. I love Deuce but sometimes you can’t keep everybody. Mitch on the other hand isn’t going anywhere. If someone is going to do a team friendly contest it’s him.

With the cap situation I don’t see us keeping our FRP either. Maybe we just kick it down the road because going over that second apron looks like a bad way to go.

I think the choice isn’t between Jose and Deuce, it’s between Shamet and Deuce. Both operate as 3 and D guards. Shamet can play up but Deuce provides more ball handling. Deuce is better overall but will get paid more. Outside of our starting 5, I think Alvarado, Mitch and Diawara come back and the final rotation spot is either shamet or Deuce as a 3&D guy. Then they will just fill out the roster on minimum contracts and rookie contracts. Ultimately the Deuce/ shamet decision comes down to money. If shamet is fine coming back cheap, great. If he wants to get paid, he’s probably gone and the Knicks shift focus to a deuce extension. This is all assuming no major trade. Obviously a trade changes things.

TBH, Shamet is as good as Deuce with more size for match-up purposes

I think Deuce is a much better player than Shamet. But I can see why the added size is important.

Knixkik wrote:

DLeethal wrote:I don’t think there’s anyone on this team at the moment I’m more comfortable shooting a 3 than Mo right now.

Completely agree. Although a healthy deuce is probably higher.

Unless it's a corner 3 where Mo is shooting like a ridiculous 83%

Knixkik wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:

Swishfm3 wrote:

Rookie wrote:

Nalod wrote:The kid is 20 and an opportunity is more valuable sometimes then some contracts. That he proved himself is one thing but he also owes the team the benefit of the doubt given few contending teams let rookies do what he is doing. With the right coach and staff in place that is very important than say go to a **** team with cap space and take nice 2 year-3 year deal. He is learning, surrounded by a mature group of players, and thriving. So rare this happens. Ask Frank. Ask Trier. Frank was drafted into chaos and he failed to execute. Trier was given a golden ticket/contract and was never to be seen again. Shit happens for many reasons. Not just Knicks either.

I know we all excited about his upside and if true the money will come regardless. Im not saying he ownes us a debt of graditude he should repay to his detriment. He, his agent, and the knicks had a plan and he fulfilled/executed his end wonderfully. Relationships that work are rare and I gather this FO, lead by an very smart former agent knows how to lay it all out to everyones benefit.

Maybe what we miss is we don't bring everyone back thus creating salary spots that can be filled. ON the surface Mitch and perhaps Josh could be gone. I don't know how our FO feels about Giannis and at what price. That itself will create massive change.

While there is value in running it back one more year with this core under Brown if there is still a higher ceiling with the same group, one can also say if we don't go to finals with Mitch and Josh, then maybe there is another path?
Same with KAT, OG and Mikal I suppose.

I don't see it, but all things I gather are on the table. That also includes at some level and in time Diawa becomming a really good trade chip. Kind of like Deuce with his current contract. Its another reason development is important. They create opportunities (IQ).

I thought the graphic during the SAS game sunday that Spurs get so much production from drafted players while the knicks hardly get any was interesting. They were not critical, just said there were different paths.

With the cap situation I don’t see us keeping our FRP either. Maybe we just kick it down the road because going over that second apron looks like a bad way to go.

I said this in another thread. Knicks have TOO MANY young players, with high potential, who would be free agents this Summer.

Diawara
Hukporti
McCullar
Jamison

Out of this group, the only one I would be "kind of" ok of letting go is Jamison but Huk, McCullar and Diawara are the next wave that can step up and replace, Mitch, Hart and OG. I think the Knicks FO know this too and, if there isn't a play for Giannis this off season, I can see Rose trading ALL of '26 draft for future picks in order to stay under the cap in order to keep our guys

Hukporti is not an essential must keep player. He's a nice insurance player to have to see if he gets better, but he has not taken a considerable leap to consider him a priority.

McCullar most certainly is. He's waiting his turn and is slept on right now, but the guy is a defensive stud with good fundamentals on both ends of the court. I expect the FO to try and keep him.

I think hukporti has been pretty bad. He seems to have regressed from his rookie year prior to that injury. It’s tough to keep him signed since he’s not eligible for a second round exception deal. There’s always going to be better bigs available for the minimum. As for McCullar, I like him. He brings good energy. But I’m concerned about the lack of shooting or any particular skill on the offensive end. The only true NBA players we have in our young core are Diawara and Kolek. Kolek is worth keeping as a 3rd string PG. And of course Diawara is a stud.

If the Knicks keep Mitch, there is no reason to not sign Huk for that 3rd spot?

I don't understand what you mean by the "not eligible for a second round exception deal". Knicks do have him as a RFA with a cap hold of $2.4M. My assumption is that they can offer him a vet min deal and that would come with Bird Rights too because it would be the 3rd year in a row?

That's incentive for both sides to continue his development at low cost? With a side of Trey Jemison too?

nycericanguy wrote:that being said, MO has to want to sign the offer sheet, maybe he genuinely likes it here and takes the max we can give him. I believe we did his agent a favor even drafting him?

Mo has obviously worked hard to get to this point. Athletes have a short window to maximize the margins. He would be wise to accept the best offer. Hopefully that is from the Knicks but there will be suiters

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:

Swishfm3 wrote:

Rookie wrote:

Nalod wrote:The kid is 20 and an opportunity is more valuable sometimes then some contracts. That he proved himself is one thing but he also owes the team the benefit of the doubt given few contending teams let rookies do what he is doing. With the right coach and staff in place that is very important than say go to a **** team with cap space and take nice 2 year-3 year deal. He is learning, surrounded by a mature group of players, and thriving. So rare this happens. Ask Frank. Ask Trier. Frank was drafted into chaos and he failed to execute. Trier was given a golden ticket/contract and was never to be seen again. Shit happens for many reasons. Not just Knicks either.

I know we all excited about his upside and if true the money will come regardless. Im not saying he ownes us a debt of graditude he should repay to his detriment. He, his agent, and the knicks had a plan and he fulfilled/executed his end wonderfully. Relationships that work are rare and I gather this FO, lead by an very smart former agent knows how to lay it all out to everyones benefit.

Maybe what we miss is we don't bring everyone back thus creating salary spots that can be filled. ON the surface Mitch and perhaps Josh could be gone. I don't know how our FO feels about Giannis and at what price. That itself will create massive change.

While there is value in running it back one more year with this core under Brown if there is still a higher ceiling with the same group, one can also say if we don't go to finals with Mitch and Josh, then maybe there is another path?
Same with KAT, OG and Mikal I suppose.

I don't see it, but all things I gather are on the table. That also includes at some level and in time Diawa becomming a really good trade chip. Kind of like Deuce with his current contract. Its another reason development is important. They create opportunities (IQ).

I thought the graphic during the SAS game sunday that Spurs get so much production from drafted players while the knicks hardly get any was interesting. They were not critical, just said there were different paths.

With the cap situation I don’t see us keeping our FRP either. Maybe we just kick it down the road because going over that second apron looks like a bad way to go.

I said this in another thread. Knicks have TOO MANY young players, with high potential, who would be free agents this Summer.

Diawara
Hukporti
McCullar
Jamison

Out of this group, the only one I would be "kind of" ok of letting go is Jamison but Huk, McCullar and Diawara are the next wave that can step up and replace, Mitch, Hart and OG. I think the Knicks FO know this too and, if there isn't a play for Giannis this off season, I can see Rose trading ALL of '26 draft for future picks in order to stay under the cap in order to keep our guys

Hukporti is not an essential must keep player. He's a nice insurance player to have to see if he gets better, but he has not taken a considerable leap to consider him a priority.

McCullar most certainly is. He's waiting his turn and is slept on right now, but the guy is a defensive stud with good fundamentals on both ends of the court. I expect the FO to try and keep him.

I think hukporti has been pretty bad. He seems to have regressed from his rookie year prior to that injury. It’s tough to keep him signed since he’s not eligible for a second round exception deal. There’s always going to be better bigs available for the minimum. As for McCullar, I like him. He brings good energy. But I’m concerned about the lack of shooting or any particular skill on the offensive end. The only true NBA players we have in our young core are Diawara and Kolek. Kolek is worth keeping as a 3rd string PG. And of course Diawara is a stud.

If the Knicks keep Mitch, there is no reason to not sign Huk for that 3rd spot?

I don't understand what you mean by the "not eligible for a second round exception deal". Knicks do have him as a RFA with a cap hold of $2.4M. My assumption is that they can offer him a vet min deal and that would come with Bird Rights too because it would be the 3rd year in a row?

That's incentive for both sides to continue his development at low cost? With a side of Trey Jemison too?

What i mean by his contract is he’s going to cost the normal minimum like any other player. So the Knicks will probably just sign a better minimum guy like Kevon Looney/ Marvin Bagley etc. There’s a lot of free agent bigs who will be minimum guys. I also think the Knicks will use a second round pick on a center and sign that player to the second round exception so it’s a super cheap contract. There’s plenty of useable bigs in the later part of the draft. Maybe they like Hukporti and see the development behind the scenes, but this year he legit can’t score around the basket, doesn’t even look at the hoop, and isn’t really making up for it on the defensive end. If we resign Mitch, and hopefully we do, we need a better third string center to play 15 mpg during his off nights.

I get what you are saying but don't agree with the type of player and opportunity that 3rd string guy would be looking for.

You need a guy who is looking for zero guaranteed playing time on a playoff team. If a Looney type is AOK with not really playing, then maybe. Looney did sign an $8M contract for this season, so that's his type of contract with a not good team.

Bagley most likely signed an underrated vet min contract with WAS with the hopes of playing to rehabilitate his value. Maybe he'll be OK with that type of payday without the hope of consistent playing time, cause that would be the role.

Feel like the type of players who normally take a vet min deal with zero playing time are DeAndre Jordan, Mason Plumlee, Bismack Biyombo, Duop Reath types.

Why not take a shot at an upside guy like Huk who you know?