VDesai wrote:Pretty good rundown from Keith Smith here

https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2869/new-york-knicks-2025-offseason-preview

Keith Smith did a great spot on KFTV - very good plain English run down of this offseason for the Knicks and the league at large.

Some really good takeaways-

-Only team with Cap space is really the Brooklyn Nets - and given they drafted and kept 5 first rounders, they are probably not making a big play on an FA. They will keep the space to absorb contracts to opportunistically take on young talent or more picks. What this means is that most teams are going to pay FA's with the Non-Taxpayer MLE (around 14mm). Most teams chose NOT to use this last year since it can be used as a trade exception and using it means you're capped to an apron. Don't expect a lot of players to get this salary.

-The Cavs are already over the 2nd apron. Given the Celtics are taking a step back, Keith argues the Cavs should just live in the 2nd Apron for a year and go for it. Meaning, they might as well re-sign Ty Jerome and if they don't win this year, they can dump contracts next offseason to get back under the 2nd apron. This is the year where this core has to go for it, or they need to do something different.

-The Pistons have some cap space, but not enough to do more than retain their guys. In fact, because they signed Malik Beasley to a cheap 1 year deal- they don't have full Bird rights so can't raise Beasley to more than 7-8 mm. So what they will do is likely use the Non-Taxpayer MLE to re-sign Beasley (14mm+) and then try to use bird rights to re-sign Schroeder, or Schroeder will walk. Lots of interest in Schroeder - he will not be a veteran min player.

-In summary - Jerome and Beasley are probably making at most non-Taxpayer MLE - so either they stay with their teams or decide on a Non-Taxpayer team giving them a better role/opportunity, which probably is unlikely for Beasley, but maybe for Jerome if the Cavs try to go cheap on the tax (and given Jerome has been an injury risk).

-Knicks might as well keep PJ Tucker's salary at 3.5mm because its non-guaranteed. If they pick it up he can be used as trade filler, and if they don't trade him they can waive him without having his salary count towards the cap. Its a free option to use his contract as trade filler in other words.

-Achiuwa's market will likely be small. If his market is dry, the Knicks could think about re-signing him at a similar deal to last year just to have that 6mm or so around the trade deadline.

-Because of lack incentives for teams to use the MLEs (capping them to aprons) the market at veteran minimum salaries will continue to be robust. Knicks will have to go this route - Keith mentions Taurean Prince, Trey Lyles, Sandro Mamushkevelli has options...

This dude negotiations are suspended pending investigation.
He will be granted due process but it's never a good look when an investigation is made public.
Why pay Precious 6mm when 2.5 might be his rate now?
I'd rather pay Shamet 6mm.

VDesai wrote:So much for Keith's suggestion they pick up Tucker and just waive him if they need to. Maybe they sre gonna use that Taxpayer MLE on someone

Hmm good point

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/SbondyNBA/status/1939426384805318717

NY/LAL/NOP

LAL gets
Josh Hart
Mitch Robinson

NOP gets
Austin Reaves

NYK gets
Herb Jones
Rui Huichimura
NOP 2027 pick top 10 protected.
LAL pick (?)

Issue is Hart is so close to Brunson. I kind of think his value will decrease without Thibs pumping his minutes and his perceived value may drop. So I see this as a “sell high” moment. I’m still looking for the third Wingstop to cover for Brunson and KAT’s defensive woes. I think NOP has to give a pick here getting Reaves and giving up Jones. I think LAL still owes NY something getting Robinson and Hart and only giving up Reaves and Huichimura.

Knicks refill a couple picks and replace non-shooters with shooters.

martin wrote:

VDesai wrote:So much for Keith's suggestion they pick up Tucker and just waive him if they need to. Maybe they sre gonna use that Taxpayer MLE on someone

Hmm good point

I didn't think keeping or waiving PJ had any bearing on Knicks using TMLE.

Keith even said he anticipated Knicks keeping that contract around because it was non-guaranteed and at the same time he talked about guys Knicks could use TMLE on.

Can't Knicks just sign someone else or even re-sign PJ to same deal if needed for trades or CAP purposes?

LivingLegend wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:Just spitballing here

NY/LAL/NOP

LAL gets
Josh Hart
Mitch Robinson

NOP gets
Austin Reaves

NYK gets
Herb Jones
Rui Huichimura
NOP 2027 pick top 10 protected.
LAL pick (?)

Issue is Hart is so close to Brunson. I kind of think his value will decrease without Thibs pumping his minutes and his perceived value may drop. So I see this as a “sell high” moment. I’m still looking for the third Wingstop to cover for Brunson and KAT’s defensive woes. I think NOP has to give a pick here getting Reaves and giving up Jones. I think LAL still owes NY something getting Robinson and Hart and only giving up Reaves and Huichimura.

Knicks refill a couple picks and replace non-shooters with shooters.

That is spit balling a GREAT deal to the Knicks.

Arguably Jones is best player in deal and arguably Rui could be 3rd plus Knicks get 2 picks for cherry on top.

We can overrate Josh/Mitch as Knicks fans but Josh can't shoot and doesn't defend and Mitch barely plays despite the few games in playoffs.

I'd love this deal - don't see anyway N.O. does it TBH.

Some may disagree but that's my view as a big Jones/Rui fan.

You don;t value our guys as well as others. I am using these rankings, I like them, They may favor the Knicks a bit though.

https://nbarankings.theringer.com/

They have Reaves at 54 or so (I note he turned down an extension), Hart at 79, Robinson at 94 and Jones at 96. Hui is unranked. That may not match perfectly to trade value, since there guys all have reasonable contracts and varying years left.

But if you use these as a baseline, there is perception that NOP is getting the best value, the Lakers are dumping the BPA who declined an extension and the Knicks are giving two core pieces for two different potentially core pieces. I actually had Hart as the best value in the deal and Robinson as best player but discounted due to injury history.

LivingLegend wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:Just spitballing here

NY/LAL/NOP

LAL gets
Josh Hart
Mitch Robinson

NOP gets
Austin Reaves

NYK gets
Herb Jones
Rui Huichimura
NOP 2027 pick top 10 protected.
LAL pick (?)

Issue is Hart is so close to Brunson. I kind of think his value will decrease without Thibs pumping his minutes and his perceived value may drop. So I see this as a “sell high” moment. I’m still looking for the third Wingstop to cover for Brunson and KAT’s defensive woes. I think NOP has to give a pick here getting Reaves and giving up Jones. I think LAL still owes NY something getting Robinson and Hart and only giving up Reaves and Huichimura.

Knicks refill a couple picks and replace non-shooters with shooters.

That is spit balling a GREAT deal to the Knicks.

Arguably Jones is best player in deal and arguably Rui could be 3rd plus Knicks get 2 picks for cherry on top.

We can overrate Josh/Mitch as Knicks fans but Josh can't shoot and doesn't defend and Mitch barely plays despite the few games in playoffs.

I'd love this deal - don't see anyway N.O. does it TBH.

Some may disagree but that's my view as a big Jones/Rui fan.

Hart averaged 9.6rebs per game from the wing. And set the Knicks record for triple doubles in a season. And is paid relative to his production and contributions in today NBA market. He's not overrated at all. He offers unique ability that not many other teams have.

This shouldn't be thrown in the trash because he can't hit a 3 consistently. SMH

That said Herb Jones is a quality player. His 3 point shooting isn't solidified either though.

We also should be pushing for OG to lineup at SF so we can impose crazy amount of length from the Center to SG.

nycericanguy wrote:I want Al Hortford but I also hope we can bring back Shamet and Wright.

Precious can go.

THJR is also someone I hope ends up signing for cheap, he's made a ton of $ already anyway. At his age he'd be a great option for vet min. could even start here.

If I had to guess, we're gonna sign Horford and bring back Shamet.