nycericanguy wrote:Sabonis is a much better passer, a better rebounder (especially offensive rebounds) and a higher IQ player. But maybe more importantly he's not a sourpuss out there. Not as good a shooter though.

if you can do KAT for Sabonis & Saric, it also saves us about $5m in salary this season and maybe more importantly about $19m NEXT season which would allow us to comfortably resign Mitch and stay below the 2nd apron.

So its definitely something to consider.

Especially if we could get KP in a buyout.

in fact, I think i just talked myself into it... outside of getting Giannis, Sabonis at just 29 years old would be the next best thing. His passing for a big man is off the charts and he's a great P&R player. and allows us to resign Mitch.

Keeping KAT might mean losing Mitch.

the money saved would also allow to comfortably use our 1st rounder this summer, maybe the WSH pick would have to go to SAC as incentive.

Exactly. Sabonis is closer to Hartenstein than Towns is.

Sabonis is not necessarily "better" but a far better fit with the Villanova crowd (and they ain't going anywhere until they lose in the first round w/Towns).

Yeah I thought Sabonis, Saric, and McDermott for Towns and Flotsam would be a reasonable way to go. Of course that would precipitate a 'dump some bodies' trade but leave the Knicks closer to a balls to the wall contender.

SergioNYK wrote:After what has happened these last few weeks, I think I'm starting to be more open to the idea of adding Jose Alvarado. I like Kolek and think he has a lot of potential but we kind of need someone with Alvarado's personality and skillset. Cause Alvarado isn't going to get punked and we need that edgy guy on the team.

Exactly. Alvarado would be a shot in the arm the team needs.

DLeethal wrote:That said, I think there is something going on with Towns and Brown. Enough smoke there to see there is an issue and has been since day 1 when Towns complained about his role before the season even kicked off. Whining about Thibs, Brown calling him out in the media. Seems something has gotta give there.

I see it as mutual frustration from on court execution. While seemingly other starters are thriving (Prior to the Emerites cup apex) Kat seems to have some moments, but in its totality not having a good season.

Lets not forget last years All NBA team performance and yes, he bailed us out vs. a thriving Detroit team last season in the playoffs! Trip to conf finals? Does that not count?

I understand he is and was never a perfect fit and pehraps a salary placeholder until Giannis was available? That he is an elite rebounder but a deficient defender is not a combonation often seen. I see an animated passionate player who has joy on the court.
The dark side? The inablity to not focus when fouled and my fear he is evolving into a lumbering Embiid type into his 30's were the body is not wanting to keep pushing. The dude is very large, very wide vs say a Giannis/Garnett lean freakness. Im not on one side or the other calling for his removal given the lack of clarity of what a trade brings in return.

Has the pace slowed down the last 10 games? Are the knicks tired trying to up the pace and thus fatigue a factor? Is the pace leaving KAT behind? Not saying he is pulling a "Ewing" when he flat out rebelled. KAT is making big boy money and is expected to adhere to the teams goals. Is it mutual frustration?

Sabonis? Does a trade really benefit SAC? Curious if he and Brown had issues pehraps one of the caused for him to get fired? He is limited defensively at the rim yet elite rebounder. Perhaps Brown wanted more from him? In a way he and KAT are similar. Some trade Chatter for Domatas is him to Toronto with perhaps IQ part of the package? Big for smalls rarely occur. Is Perry still enamored with IQ and at that contact? Do they want draft capital or yoots also? I'd think Lavine and Derozen are also on the block.

The Starphuch in me would like Giannis but doubt thats in the cards by the trade deadline based on most rumors. Seems clumsy to have KAT and Turner and moving both is a lot of money transact. Also at what price we talking about? If so, do the bucks really want KAT?

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Most seasons we needed a mid season trade to jolt this team. I think we need it again. I would like to trade Towns as well but if it's not in the cards right now so be it. We know what this team is capable of. If we can find ourselves another Josh Hart style trade I am OK with that.

To me it’s more a structural roster problem. Kolek is OK to play on a maybe play-in team but not a deep playoffs team. And fans and FO are seeing the lack of ball handlers at a stark level with Brunson down, but we kinda sorta knew this regardless of Jalen missing time. Jordan Clarkson is not good enough and Shamet went down too. And then Deuce missed games. Knicks got the trifecta of injuries.

Alvarado and Ayo Dosunmu are the 2 names on my radar to help solve the playmaker depth issue. Dosumnu is really good. He can shoot, defend and make plays. He always has higher profile guards in front of him in Chicago but always is good there. The only issue is the contract situation. As a free agent we would have to give him his big payday.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Most seasons we needed a mid season trade to jolt this team. I think we need it again. I would like to trade Towns as well but if it's not in the cards right now so be it. We know what this team is capable of. If we can find ourselves another Josh Hart style trade I am OK with that.

To me it’s more a structural roster problem. Kolek is OK to play on a maybe play-in team but not a deep playoffs team. And fans and FO are seeing the lack of ball handlers at a stark level with Brunson down, but we kinda sorta knew this regardless of Jalen missing time. Jordan Clarkson is not good enough and Shamet went down too. And then Deuce missed games. Knicks got the trifecta of injuries.

Alvarado and Ayo Dosunmu are the 2 names on my radar to help solve the playmaker depth issue. Dosumnu is really good. He can shoot, defend and make plays. He always has higher profile guards in front of him in Chicago but always is good there. The only issue is the contract situation. As a free agent we would have to give him his big payday.

Both players got a bit of leverage with their current teams cause of their contracts, which is also a hindrance for the acquiring teams.

I do wonder if the Knicks care about the second apron after this season?

Based on the way they have been playing, I’m guessing they will want to stay under.

Think Giannis wants to come to the world’s most disgruntled arena?

Right now, the death grip of "aprons", out-of-control-NBA-trade constraints, and misplaced loyalties are choking off the necessary adjustments.

We have many nice puzzle pieces that need to be retrofitted into a fast-paced, defensive minded, take-no-prisoners unit. We need to trade out one dimensional, under-performing, and under-sized and dysfunctional placeholders for picks (#1 (and cap relief)), chemistry trades (#1b), and some hungry, sick of losing vets on short term contracts (win or go home).

The Knicks may be weaker than the crippled East if they sit on their hands.

I just watched a season three episode of Ted Lasso where his team plays mad and lose to their rival. The Knicks don't have to knock heads - they just have to BE tougher physically and mentally (looking at KAT). Thi team is a train wreck waiting to happen.