martin wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Giannis aside, an AD trade might be worth the risk at this point. If you think about it, injuries aside, he is the perfect guy to replace Towns with, to reinforce defense while still bring all star caliber offense.

I am not fan of Street Clothes but I came to the same conclusion. Fortunately, we have enough center depth to accommodate him if/when he inevitably gets injured during the regular season, which mitigate his accompanying risk. We only really need him for a postseason run i.e. 16-28 games MAX. I think he can do that, especially if we're only playing him 22-25 minutes a game.

Both of you think a downgrade to a player who is currently injured, who has averaged about 50 games a year over the past 7 seasons, who has upcoming salary of $58.5m and $62.8m, and who will be 33 in 2 months is something viable?

KAT is struggling. He is playing like ****. But sell low for absolutely lower? Give or take trade details?

I don’t know how else you can look at that swap.

We only need him for 16-28 games. Rest him for much of the regular season and then hope that the 50 games he does play during the season, includes our playoff run. As much as he's forever injured, when he does play he is transformative. The Mavs have been two completely different teams with and without him. Fortunately for us, we're good enough to be top 3 in the East without him. If he's ready by playoffs, I can live with that because his skillet (and experience) makes him an excellent fit. His contract and demands for an extension makes me a bit queasy though.

This swap would not be my ideal outcome but I do think it is very compelling. I still think that dumping KAT should be the preferred option. We wouldn't have cap space but that +$54 million salary slot would give us enough flexibility to retooling on the fly. You can view it as addition by subtraction; similar to the PHO deal involving KD for lesser pieces (but better fits) in Dillon Brooks and that 10th pick

DLeethal wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Giannis aside, an AD trade might be worth the risk at this point. If you think about it, injuries aside, he is the perfect guy to replace Towns with, to reinforce defense while still bring all star caliber offense.

I am not fan of Street Clothes but I came to the same conclusion. Fortunately, we have enough center depth to accommodate him if/when he inevitably gets injured during the regular season, which mitigate his accompanying risk. We only really need him for a postseason run i.e. 16-28 games MAX. I think he can do that, especially if we're only playing him 22-25 minutes a game.

Center depth is an issue we can fix with limited flexibility. Finding a bonafide talent that can help Brunson win a chip is the hard part. If KAT isn't gonna be that guy, we need to move him and figure out how to get another guy in here, and it's likely gonna be a reclamation project coming at a discount because we don't have any picks to trade.

AD is the best option out there sans Giannis. But yea, we would need to add a 3rd big behind Mitch (could be someone like Messi for NO who they apparently like).

I suppose you're not a Hukpourti believer? Despite his inconsistencies, I do like him. I'm a little more uneasy about Jemison but I also think he can be a Jericho Sims-level innings eatee.

Ideally I want a KAT whisperer. You know, someone who will tell him to cut out the hooks while driving and to keep his hands to himself. Basically, if KAT gets faked out into a foul, fine. ( Just stay on your feet you goofball, you are like 7 feet tall bro)But those stupid fouls that no one faked him into is what needs to be resolved

DLeethal wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:I agree, I'm far from a KAT fan but you can't discount 2 straight CF's, and a good chance at a 3rd this year. He helps during the season more than AD. Now, could AD theoretically help more during a playoff run? maybe... but it's a very unlikely scenario and sometimes someone in and out of a lineup hurts more than helps.

there's also no salary relief there, i think if we're trading KAT for anyone outside of Giannis, it should provide salary relief to be able to resign Mitch.

IDK, Wolves make the CF without him too and Knicks would have made the CF without him the year prior if not for brutal injuries. I get your point, and while KAT was heroic a couple times during last playoff run, Knicks had to overcome a lot of KAT nonsense on a nightly basis as well.

How does KAT for salary relief bring us closer to a championship? Knicks window is right now, they are in no position to downgrade in talent or ceiling. IMO AD brings a higher ceiling than KAT but also increases risk. But Knicks are in a bit of a pickle here with limited assets and might have to take on that additional risk to keep their window open if they move KAT.

I mean a deal like KAT for Sabonis saves $5m this season and almost $20m next season.

I think you can try to win now and also try to win next season and beyond, and resigning Mitch would be a big part of that.

Saving $5m this season could also put us in the buyout market for someone like KP or Love down the road.

i'm not salary dumping KAT but if you can get a similar player and cap relief its worth looking at for sure.