F500ONE wrote:Carlos says yes

I believe Jason Kidd likes J R Smith and it would free up their log jam with Giannis Parker and Middelton at SF and give them a legit 2 G. Middleton can shift to 2 guard here--we get rid of next years guaranteed 6mm to Smith as well.

BRIGGS wrote:for Kris Middleton and Carlos Delfino

Please explain to us why would we trade Jr Smith, the guy is here on a bargin, and where exactly would we find playing time for 2 more players.

Let me ask you guys this -- if Milwaukee wanted Cleanthony Early back in the deal, would you do it? I think you have to... Again -- the deal ensures optimum cap room next off-season (huge); we get back a nice young piece in Middleton (comparable to Early -- better maybe. Better off-the-dribble game as of right now & a better shooter (proven NBA 3-pt shooter -- over 40% last yr). Might be more versatile as well -- I like Middleton's ability to play 2/3 better than Early's to play 3/4. Early's no 4 in the NBA. Middleton's the same age as Early, a few months younger actually); and it would open up time for Middleton to play. Plus, we already know Middleton can play at the NBA level. Early, while talented, is still a question mark...I like this deal a lot. Quite a few different combinations that could get it done...Could be real good for both teams..

yellowboy90 wrote:I see Middleton and Early handling about the same. Also, out of Delfino and Outlaw you cut Outlaw. That's a given.

Also, Middleton will be available next year

Yeah in a pool where the market may drive his price up more than desired

Im more sober on this team for next year than some and think we are angling for a nice draft pick. The best scenario is move a rookie contract into the rotation and move a bloated one out.
Thus, JR is good trade foder for a good team in need of his talents and in the right situation could figure it out financially to keep him.

If he is "THE MAN" when Triangesized two things happen:

1. His free agent value is not that high because of his inconsistancy and any resurgence is due to the "System" and on another team it does not really mean it gets duplicated

or

2. Aspiring team contending now moves yootful assets to "Win Now" and we get better.

It happens. Im not trading JR now as we need to see what he can do. He could be a very important piece going forward if mature and willing to work the triangle. Lord knows he has the quickness. DOes he have the heart and maturity to move the ball? Its why we'll watch the games. Nothing to argue.

yellowboy90 wrote:I see Middleton and Early handling about the same. Also, out of Delfino and Outlaw you cut Outlaw. That's a given.

Also, Middleton will be available next year

No guarantee Middleton will be available next year. He has a QO in place after this upcoming season -- Milwaukee would make sure they remain in the driver's seat by making sure he becomes a restricted FA. Middleton's become too good a player to jettison. Milwaukee would then have the right to match any offer sheet. If nobody signs him to an offer sheet, they get him back for his QO.

Delfino over Outlaw is debatable. Delfino might be the slightly better overall player but it's negligible (Delfino strikes me as a guy that has even less left in the tank than Outlaw at this stage). Outlaw's 2 years younger for what that's worth -- less miles on Outlaw's body, he could be more attractive over the older Delfino in any potential trade (Outlaw has more years in the NBA but Delfino has equal or even more time abroad + NBA) although the best move would probably be to just let either guy expire to ensure optimal cap room...Plus I don't think Melo cares for this guy Delfino. They've had their little run-ins -- why take a chance on ruining any chemistry we hope to establish for this year? What if we really do have a shot at having a decent year coming up this season? Chemistry could take an immediate hit adding a guy that our top banana doesn't care for. Waiving Delfino might be the way to go here..

Great deal for the Knicks because it would ensure optimum cap space next year -- that's the name of the game for us. If we want an opportunity to make a big splash in FA next off-season, shedding JR's contract would be ENORMOUS. PLUS we'd be getting a pretty darn good young player to boot in Middleton. For those 2 huge positives alone, I might offer to sweeten this deal somehow, putting a variety of our lower assets on the table: Thanasis, the trade exception, a future 2, cash, the rights to Labeyrie...maybe even Cleanthony Early. Just how I see it.

Question on Middleton -- if we got him in a trade, would we inherit his Bird rights or early Bird rights from Milwaukee (or Detroit)? Where would we stand with him? If we made this trade I'd want the following couple of assurances: that we do in fact free up enough cap room to add two tier 1/semi tier 1 FAs (Bledsoe/Monroe, Bledsoe/Vucevic?) and also have money left over to offer Khris Middleton fair market value as I'd want to keep him around obviously.

Nalod wrote:Let JR have a great year within the triangle. Let ClearTony get his boots on the ground and earn his stripes.

Im more sober on this team for next year than some and think we are angling for a nice draft pick. The best scenario is move a rookie contract into the rotation and move a bloated one out.
Thus, JR is good trade foder for a good team in need of his talents and in the right situation could figure it out financially to keep him.

If he is "THE MAN" when Triangesized two things happen:

1. His free agent value is not that high because of his inconsistancy and any resurgence is due to the "System" and on another team it does not really mean it gets duplicated

or

2. Aspiring team contending now moves yootful assets to "Win Now" and we get better.

It happens. Im not trading JR now as we need to see what he can do. He could be a very important piece going forward if mature and willing to work the triangle. Lord knows he has the quickness. DOes he have the heart and maturity to move the ball? Its why we'll watch the games. Nothing to argue.

This is kind of where I am with JR.

I expect both Phil/Fisher to get the most out of JR. Just like Phil squeezed every ounce of production out of Rodman/Artest I expect that he and fisher will collectively have JR playing great 2-way basketball. I think the Triangle fits JR and provides him a structure to play within. JR can catch and shoot, he can drive and score, he can pass the ball, he can post and he can move --- I think he has a career year and wouldn't completely write off the notion of him being on the roster come Nov-15.