in a $92MM cap world, most likely cap space scenario for the Knicks: $30MM (assuming Afflalo and Williams opt out and we retain cap holds on Lance Thomas, Langston Galloway and Tony Wroten)

1. sign Hassan Whiteside to 4 year max deal starting at $22MM. Last year Phil targeted Deandre Jordan in free agency, which surprised some pundits and I can see him making Hassan Whiteside his top target this July. Hassan would have many other suitors but I can see the chance to play with Melo/Porzingis/upgraded NY backcourt and the Knicks willingness to spend to win as being decisive factors.

2. trade Robin Lopez ($13MM) and a second rounder to Atlanta for Jeff Teague ($9MM). If it takes another second rounder, then so be it. I think NY is a place Jeff Teague would be interested in signing longer term (unlike say Philadelphia) and this offer is on par with what Philly is rumoured to be offering. We get full bird rights for Teague, which will be helpful for next year’s free agency.

3. trade Jose Calderon ($8MM) to Detroit for Jodie Meeks ($6MM) and Reggie Bullock ($2MM). Detroit has a glut at shooting guard/small forward and needs a reliable back-up point, which Jose is at this point in his career. Jodie has been injured but is a solid rotation player when healthy - if it doesn’t work out, he’s an expiring contract. His contract could also be flipped to sign a stretch 4 like Jon Leuer if he can be had for about $6MM. I think Bullock has untapped potential as a 3 and D player - he’s also an expiring contract.

4. I would earmark about $1MM for Willy Hernangomez so that we can sign him to a 3- or 4- year contract with team options so we get his full Bird rights.

5. With the remaining $10MM-$11MM, I would target Courtney Lee on a 3 year deal. He’s probably the best available two way shooting guard available at that price. I'd be willing to flip Reggie Bullock for a second rounder to free up about $2MM if that helps seal the deal. I can’t see any of the higher tier restricted free agents not be matched their teams (Clarkson, Fournier, Beal, Johnson, Crabbe) but I might take a flyer on Johnson for a three year deal averaging about $8MM if Lee passes on the deal. Troy Daniels and Seth Curry might be good cheaper option although restricted - preference is for Daniels as he's younger and a better defensive player.

6. Buy a second round pick targeting a shooting guard (Caris Levert/Patrick McCaw) or an athletic big (Pascal Siakam, Chinanu Onuaku, AJ Hammonds). I'd consider bringing Cleanthony Early back at the vet min if Bullock goes.

7. Have a look at some D-League options (Rodney McGruder, Vince Hunter, Brandon Ashley) and overseas guys (Maurice Ndour, Trey Thompkins) to fill the remaining roster spot(s). Or we can leave it open to fill later.

Roster:
PG: Teague / Grant / Wroten
SG: Lee / Meeks / Galloway / Levert (?)
SF: Anthony / Thomas / Bullock (?)
PF: Porzingis / O’Quinn
C: Whiteside / Hernangomez

This would be a younger, more athletic team more capable of playing up-tempo and pressuring the ball. The PG and C positions would see a significant upgrade. Lee is an upgrade defensively over Afflalo but probably not offensively. The bench would also be improved albeit modestly, although it could use an althetic back-up big. Injuries to one of the starters could be problematic, but for the most part the newcomers have been fairly durable. I can see the starters all averaging about 30mpg - more if need be. Teague, Wroten and Grant are great dribble drive players. Teague was the league leader in catch and shoot percentage last year, so would benefit from playing off of Grant and Wroten. Whiteside and Porzingis are two of the best shot blockers in the league, as well as excellent rebounders. The defense takes a big step forward. Not quite ready to contend but certainly a playoff team.

Thoughts?

Do we have enough cap space to sign Conley and Lee?

ccinflushing wrote:It's a dream scenario so a lot of things have to fall the right way for it to be realized. Also targeting Whiteside, not Conley. He's cheaper and allows us to trade Lopez. So the first domino to fall would be Whiteside. I think we would need to line up the Teague trade ready to pull the trigger. And yes, it'll be tight for Courtney Lee but doable - it all depends on the market for him and what he's looking for.

Trading Lopez 1 yr after signing him to a 12 million deal, not to mention him thriving in the system on both ends, he's built chemistry with melo and KP.

Teague is OK, but Lopez means more to us, he sets better screens, can hit a face up jumper, and has a clean bill of health.

With JH in fold, I doubt dwill and afflalo opt out,neither has any real value right now, and I know both will be intrigued by the uptempo pace.

I get your point on Lopez, but if I can get Whiteside to sign, then I would go for it. I think Whiteside is the only unrestricted free agent worth the $22MM max for players with 4-6 years of experience. He is a two way player and should significant improve our interior and three point D. He gives us the ability to move our current best trade asset (outside of first round picks) to address an area requiring significant upgrade (PG), while also enabling us to hold on retain that PG in free agency (due to full Bird rights). This can't be understated - we can exceed the cap to sign Teague in 2017 (his cap hold would be ~$13.5MM). We would also be in position to address the SG position by maybe signing Lee. Wroten and Meeks should be able to replace DW's offensive output, so although I worry about the bench, I think it won't be worse that last year.

As far as adding guards, who can you get at a reasonable price that's going to move the needle? Crabbe, Fournier, Bazemore - those guys could command in the range of $15-$20MM easily and to my mind are still somewhat unproven. Conley costs too much and a bit too old for a 4 year max contract starting at $25MM. Same for Batum. Teague at $9MM is the next best PG option and moves the needle, as does Whiteside. I think Whiteside and Teague also fits the timeline in how we should build the team - we're not beating GS, OKC ,SA, Cleveland for the championship in the next year or two anyway but we need to be in playoff contention to attract higher end free agents going forward. Trust the process!

knicks1248 wrote:

ccinflushing wrote:It's a dream scenario so a lot of things have to fall the right way for it to be realized. Also targeting Whiteside, not Conley. He's cheaper and allows us to trade Lopez. So the first domino to fall would be Whiteside. I think we would need to line up the Teague trade ready to pull the trigger. And yes, it'll be tight for Courtney Lee but doable - it all depends on the market for him and what he's looking for.

Trading Lopez 1 yr after signing him to a 12 million deal, not to mention him thriving in the system on both ends, he's built chemistry with melo and KP.

Teague is OK, but Lopez means more to us, he sets better screens, can hit a face up jumper, and has a clean bill of health.

With JH in fold, I doubt dwill and afflalo opt out,neither has any real value right now, and I know both will be intrigued by the uptempo pace.

Afflalo lashed out at the team through social media last year, I really doubt Phil wants him back. Even if Rambis is no longer the coach he is still one of phil's guys, and the way Afflalo undermined Rambis' coaching through the media was a really bad look. I don't believe AA wants to stay, but if he does stay for the money I don't think phil will make life happy for him.

No MAX CONTRACTS or long term contracts in a weak free agency class. Sign a bunch of band aid 1 or 2 year deals players and MAX THE PHUCK OUT NEXT SEASON! Tank hard this year. Land a top 5 pick.

http://hoopshype.com/2016/05/14/nba-free-agency-2017-the-top-players/

That's the real logical dream offseason and regular season for all Knicks fans.