holfresh wrote:nixluva wrote:holfresh wrote:I'm not sure if big name free agents will look at the Knicks as a destination to win now...The role players are an important piece to a puzzle when building a team..I not sure if we can say we have the right role players in place to attract a big name..It's not easy to get such players which is why Cleveland paid two first round picks to get Moz...It was absolutely dumb luck that they landed JR and Shump..
But are a duo, Melo and Aldridge can work well together in Phil's system..
If i'm talking to a top free agent I'm reminding them that once they sign on, with Melo and our draft pick, it won't be hard to convince others to join. There's a momentum that get's created once you have more than one All Star on a team. Players focus on that and see themselves as part of an improving roster. I'm not saying we'll definitely get Aldridge to come here, but it looks a lot better as you walk them thru the process. Remember we would already have drafted by then and that will also add to the momentum of the team and how players look at the franchise. Also remember this is just step one and there will be more cap space in the future to continue to add talent. Players will understand that as Phil breaks down his plan.
You also have to remember that Portland has a huge supporting cast currently and they are still only a second round team...I think getting rid of vet players and nothing in return in terms of supporting players wasn't smart...I know he tried with Calderon but that was just a bad move..
I tend to believe the best value from Vet players come from players accepting the Vet's minimum in order to be in a situation they like. I see us filling the requisite 10 roster spots with 5 of the best players we can find and 5 rookie min contracts and then filling in the blanks with players willing to take the Vets minimum this year. Take the Aldridge scenario...
3G Jose Calderon $7.4MM (although stretching could replace him with Shved, I don't think we are stretching Calderon)
TRI Justice Winslow $3.9MM
ANG Carmelo Anthony $22,875,000
LE LaMarcus Aldridge $20,130,000
DC Bismack Biyambo $7,000,000.00
Cleanthony $930,000
Hardaway $1.3
Galloway $930,000
Antekoumpo $930,000
Thomas 930,000
Here, we have used the cap space, we can sign up to 5 vets at the vet minimum - Clearly not expecting a top guy, but maybe an old vet who always wanted to play in NY shows up. Maybe I would not bet on any exact signings, but there will be a few players who will take the min contract because they believe in what is happening or just want to play in NY. Or you can troll the D-Leagues for big league talent.
This is the Randle.