The Knicks have reportedly expressed interest in FA big men Lou Amundson, Drew Gooden, Ivan Johnson and Tyrus Thomas.The Knicks roster is at 14 players, and the team is looking to add one more frontcourt player. Regardless of who is signed, playing time will be limited and fantasy value will be minimal. Aug 12 - 3:28 PM

CrushAlot wrote:From rotoworld.

The Knicks have reportedly expressed interest in FA big men Lou Amundson, Drew Gooden, Ivan Johnson and Tyrus Thomas.The Knicks roster is at 14 players, and the team is looking to add one more frontcourt player. Regardless of who is signed, playing time will be limited and fantasy value will be minimal. Aug 12 - 3:28 PM

I thought Lou Amundson was meant to be deciding which team a few weeks ago? Also cross Ivan Johnson off the list, he's gone to China (but plans on signing with a playoff team just before the playoffs, so hopefully that's some injury insurance for us.

At this point, I guess the reports are true- we'll keep a roster spot free, invite a few players and sign someone after training camp.

CrushAlot wrote:

Two months later, Magic and Turkoglu closer to buyout

Kurt Helin

Sep 2, 2013, 11:59 AM EDT

4 Comments

Orlando Magic v Atlanta Hawks - Game ThreeGetty Images

Hedo Turkoglu will not be a member of the Orlando Magic next season. Bet on it.

He likely isn’t in the NBA. He has an offer waiting back in Turkey that will be better than any offer he is getting in this country, smart money says that is where he ends up.

But before we bid him adieu (and reminisce about he was key to the Magic’s 2009 Finals run), there is the little detail of buying out the last year of his NBA contract.

The Magic and Turkoglu’s reps have been talking buyout since early July, and the talks are still going on now, reports the Orlando Sentinel. Turkoglu has a $12 million contract for the upcoming season but only $6 million of it is guaranteed. The Magic want to get this done before camp starts so Romero Osby, their second round pick, can come to camp and get a shot at making the roster.

Why are the Turkoglu/Magic negotiations dragging out for two months? Because the Magic would love to save some money and pay less than the full $6 million. And if I were Turkoglu’s agent I would laugh at and reject every offer short of $6 million — that is what his contract calls for. You can say it was a bad contract, that doesn’t matter; it’s what both sides agreed to back at the time.

Eventually the Magic will pay the full amount (it’s still better than having him on the roster at $12 million, unless you think he can be a trade piece… which is unlikely, and are you willing to pay $6 million to see if you might be able to move him?).

The Magic just need to follow the immortal words of Teddy KGB: Pay that man his money.

For now the talks drag out. Expect that to get resolved before training camp starts and for Hedo to head to Istanbul to play for Fenerbahce Ulker and Osby will get his shot.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/02/two-months-later-magic-and-turkoglu-closer-to-buyout/

I hate to see lazy players get rewarded for their lousy attitudes- millions of dollars for not doing your job, just doesn't seem fair.

NYKBocker wrote:Looking at the roster as of righ now, I think Grunny needs to sign another SF. Who is still out there?

Too bad we showed no interest in Luke Babbitt before he went to Russia. Would've been a great addition on the cheap.. Worst case, he replaces Novak's 40+% 3-pt shooting in a specialist role more or less; best case, he turns into Chris Mullin. He's actually a much better player than Novak. If we grabbed him cheap (vet. min), it would've made the Bargnani trade that much easier to swallow. Babbitt's a much better player than Novak and would've replaced him -- so now all we would've been talking about giving up in the AB trade would've been an over-the-hill Marcus Camby, a future #1 and 2 2nd rounders (none of which should be that high -- hopefully we're a good team for awhile). Oh well... We picked up 1 + 3-pt shooter with AB but lost 2 with Cope and Novak (not sold on THJ at this point -- I personally think Reggie Bullock, Allen Crabbe and maybe even Glen Rice Jr. might be better shooters). AB's better than both guys but you can also look at this as being down 1 shooter now....Would've been nice to add back another this off-season. Would've been my strategy..

6'8" 220 lb. DeQuan Jones would've been another great option on the cheap. Athleticism is thru the roof, he's got an effective floor game as is and he's only gonna get better....I think the Kings got a good one with that kid. We'll see. Beasley would've been a good addition as well, on the talent alone. Were we ever even involved though? Doesn't look like we ever reached out to him, not even a phone call.

See these are the little things I don't get -- we have a very good off-season overall but fail to get greedy and seal the entire deal. Instead of targeting a shooter with upside like Luke Babbitt, a rising star like a DeQuan Jones or Michael Beasley (I agree we definitely could use another SF behind Melo--CJ Leslie looks to far out development wise---we could've used another ready-to-go player instead), we settle on Justin Brownlee for training camp?? Or Ricky Davis??? SMH..