C Robin Lopez 28 year old - 13.2 cap hit
F Kristaps Porzingis 21 years old - 4.3 cap hit
F Carmelo Anthony 32 years old - 24.6 cap hit
G Langston Galloway 25 years old - 1.2 cap hold (Will sign likely for more)
G Jerian Grant 24 years old - 1.6 cap hit
F Derrick Williams 25 years old - 6.5 cap hit (In my opinion a 3 year 20 million type of deal gets him back)
C Willy Hernangomez 22 years old - not sure of cap hit depends what type of contract they sign him to

I'd like to deal O'Quinn for a 2nd round pick if possible, and Jose as well. If Jose can't be dealt, I'd be open to a stretch provision but I think he can be moved to a team with capspace that wants a veteran backup or 3rd point guard veteran for a young team with capspace. It's only 1 year.

I let Afflalo walk in free agency, leaving us with about 25 million in capspace possibly after re-signing Derrick Williams. I'd pursue Conley and Batum for sure. Durant is pipe, but I'd definitely try. So much competition and once again we'll be a team in the lottery so free agents won't view us as someone close to a championship. We'll likely have to sign guys of the Robin Lopez level again. I'd be open to a sign and trade with Pau Gasol straight up for Robin Lopez. Give Pau a 2 year deal for the same money you have given Lopez. I think Chicago would like Lopez. I'd do it because Lopez is already 28 next season and we need to try and do something within Melo's current contract. Pau's an all-star caliber big guy who can post up, shoot, pass, fits in perfectly in the offense. Great mentor for Kristaps. Where a playoff team with Pau/Kris/Melo as our top 3 options. And still would have money left over to address the starting SG and PG spots. That's my plan to be honest, try to trade for Pau Gasol using Robin Lopez (Chicago doesn't want to lose Pau for nothing, Pau loves Phil/Triangle culture) and maybe the only downside in doing this is Pau may specifically ask that Jose remain on the team. Even so, we'd have enough money to utilize Calderon as a backup or 3rd string PG, which is far different from his current role.

In regards to holes needed to be filled with free agency - in my keepers list - assuming no Pau Gasol deal.

Lopez/Porzingis/Hernangomez
Porzingis/Melo
Melo/Williams
Starting 2 guard/Galloway
Starting 1 guard/Grant

If we let Afflalo go, either salary dump or stretch Jose's last year, re-sign D-Will in the 6.5 million range, we've got enough capspace to sign Conley and also get some help at 2 guard. Possibly even keep Afflalo, I just don't like the age of the starting 5 with Conley/Afflalo/Melo/Lopez. This season has shown us, vets are good, but you want them in their primes. So they don't break down as the season wears on. We need younger starters at 1 and 2. Do that and we're in the playoffs next year if Kristaps/Melo play 70+ games.

I will say again I think Pau Gasol would be a fantastic fit in NY. He was one of the best Triangle players ever. Up there with Pippen. Kobe and Jordan were great scorers regardless. However Gasol was sort of like Pippen in that it helped him become an even better player and utilized his strengths. Last year Thibs used plenty of Triangle sets. Pau's experience with Thibs also make him a candidate for coaching next year.

teamsport72 wrote:For next season: KP, Lopez, Gallo, Grant. Everyone else goes.

Melo, only if his presence recruits KD. Or trash Melo to clean up space for someone younger.

Or keep sucking :-)

I tell you whats not a keeper, this BS system, thats slow, predictable, forces you to play half court, confusing, non athletic, pg dimishing, and just plain ole out dated.

teamsport72 wrote:For next season: KP, Lopez, Gallo, Grant. Everyone else goes.

Melo, only if his presence recruits KD. Or trash Melo to clean up space for someone younger.

Or keep sucking :-)

We have so much work to do with this team. Jose i think we'll use the stretch provision on so that will be one headache gone. KOQ is absolute garbage but unfortunately we have him signed for 3 more years so if there's any way at all to get rid of him they need to do it and get a real big man to come in for Rolo. D.Williams is the same player he was before we got him which is a athlete that can throw down some big time dunks and can get to the basket and foul line but he's still that same inconsistent player he was before we got him and isn't worth anything more than the almost $5 million he's signed for next year so if he opts out and wants more money then you watch him walk away and be happy about it. People on here were loving this guy when he was playing well and saying he was a changed player but he isn't. Sasha and Lou gotta go with KOQ. A.Afflalo we let go if he opts out but i have a feeling he won't so we'll be stuck with him another year and i actually think Phil wants him here. I wouldn't mind him if we upgrade at the SG spot and bring him off the bench next year.

If we don't get one bigger name free agent in the off season and it needs to be a point guard then we're in trouble. M.Conley isn't a star but will probably be paid like one but it'd be nice to get him near max because he can definitely help this team for sure. If we could get him or another bigger name at the PG spot whether that be B.Jennings, R.Rondo or R.Rubio and upgrade at SG with a 3 and D guy and get us a legit big man to come in for Rolo we could take a big step forward next year. I know it's asking for a lot to get all three in one off season so i'd be good with getting the legit PG and big man and stay with Afflalo at SG next year and then get a better SG in the following off season.

It's so easy for us fans to sit on a message board and go over all the ways to make this team better but i realize that it's not easy to do when you only have so many good players in each free agency and soooooo many teams wanting those players and so much more goes into getting those players to come to your team than just having Melo and KP. Players want to play in certain cities and play for certain teams so it's not just one thing that can get them to come to your team even though we make it sound so easy to get these guys.

In the ideal scenario, Jose and AA would come off the bench. I don't think we can get Conley. I would go for a cheaper option at PG and would rather have Batum. He can do it all. Is jennings and Batum possible with the money we'll have?
I don't know about Jennings defense. This is of the utmost importance that we do not get torched every night by the opposing PG.

Jennings/Gallo/Grant
Batum/AA/Jose
Melo/Lance/AA
KP/Melo/Lance
Lopez/KOQ/Lou

We'd have a good balance of scoring, rebounding, defense.

nyknickzingis wrote:Next year projections:

C Robin Lopez 28 year old - 13.2 cap hit
F Kristaps Porzingis 21 years old - 4.3 cap hit
F Carmelo Anthony 32 years old - 24.6 cap hit
G Langston Galloway 25 years old - 1.2 cap hold (Will sign likely for more)
G Jerian Grant 24 years old - 1.6 cap hit
F Derrick Williams 25 years old - 6.5 cap hit (In my opinion a 3 year 20 million type of deal gets him back)
C Willy Hernangomez 22 years old - not sure of cap hit depends what type of contract they sign him to

I'd like to deal O'Quinn for a 2nd round pick if possible, and Jose as well. If Jose can't be dealt, I'd be open to a stretch provision but I think he can be moved to a team with capspace that wants a veteran backup or 3rd point guard veteran for a young team with capspace. It's only 1 year.

I let Afflalo walk in free agency, leaving us with about 25 million in capspace possibly after re-signing Derrick Williams. I'd pursue Conley and Batum for sure. Durant is pipe, but I'd definitely try. So much competition and once again we'll be a team in the lottery so free agents won't view us as someone close to a championship. We'll likely have to sign guys of the Robin Lopez level again. I'd be open to a sign and trade with Pau Gasol straight up for Robin Lopez. Give Pau a 2 year deal for the same money you have given Lopez. I think Chicago would like Lopez. I'd do it because Lopez is already 28 next season and we need to try and do something within Melo's current contract. Pau's an all-star caliber big guy who can post up, shoot, pass, fits in perfectly in the offense. Great mentor for Kristaps. Where a playoff team with Pau/Kris/Melo as our top 3 options. And still would have money left over to address the starting SG and PG spots. That's my plan to be honest, try to trade for Pau Gasol using Robin Lopez (Chicago doesn't want to lose Pau for nothing, Pau loves Phil/Triangle culture) and maybe the only downside in doing this is Pau may specifically ask that Jose remain on the team. Even so, we'd have enough money to utilize Calderon as a backup or 3rd string PG, which is far different from his current role.

In regards to holes needed to be filled with free agency - in my keepers list - assuming no Pau Gasol deal.

Lopez/Porzingis/Hernangomez
Porzingis/Melo
Melo/Williams
Starting 2 guard/Galloway
Starting 1 guard/Grant

If we let Afflalo go, either salary dump or stretch Jose's last year, re-sign D-Will in the 6.5 million range, we've got enough capspace to sign Conley and also get some help at 2 guard. Possibly even keep Afflalo, I just don't like the age of the starting 5 with Conley/Afflalo/Melo/Lopez. This season has shown us, vets are good, but you want them in their primes. So they don't break down as the season wears on. We need younger starters at 1 and 2. Do that and we're in the playoffs next year if Kristaps/Melo play 70+ games.

I will say again I think Pau Gasol would be a fantastic fit in NY. He was one of the best Triangle players ever. Up there with Pippen. Kobe and Jordan were great scorers regardless. However Gasol was sort of like Pippen in that it helped him become an even better player and utilized his strengths. Last year Thibs used plenty of Triangle sets. Pau's experience with Thibs also make him a candidate for coaching next year.

I think the Knicks are going to have a very hard time keeping Galloway. Look at the free agent PG's, Galloway is younger and better than most of them. He will probably get a Kyle O'Quinn type deal