Cat Barber
Spencer Dinwiddie
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Christian Wood

There are others I really like as well (Yogi Ferrell, Terrico White, Corey Walden) but those 4 would be perfect.

Finestrg wrote:We loaded up on vets--how many more do we need?? Raise your hand if you really want Drew Gooden.. Not me.. How about a little more youth & upside to balance things out/get excited about (still want to see some focus on building for the future) even if some of these guys wind up starting out in Westchester. I'd offer 3 year deals (1st year fully guaranteed) to the following four players:

Cat Barber
Spencer Dinwiddie
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Christian Wood

There are others I really like as well (Yogi Ferrell, Terrico White, Corey Walden) but those 4 would be perfect.

Actual # is 3.

I think if Antetokounmpo had any interest in the KNicks and vice versa he'd have been on the summer league team.

Otherwise, I suspect the last 3 rosters spots will consist of Baker (who already has a partial guarantee and did nothing to make the Knicks rethink his spot), a veteran big and Vujacic (as indicated by some press outlets after Friday's news conference).

Randle may be on the outside looking in.

As is, the Knicks would have four rookies on their roster - Hernangomez, Kuzminskas, Baker, Plumlee, which interestingly enough. might be the most in the league.

Utah/New Orleans at 8pm tonight. My first chance to see Cat Barber this summer -- I missed the Pel's 1st game against the Lakers. Looks like he didn't play particularly well (didn't look like anyone did--they only scored 65 pts total with Buddy Hield going 5-20 from the field) but I still feel Barber's a can't miss talent that's capable of producing and producing BIG at the NBA level. And again, I'd love to put together some young pieces in case this vet team we cobbled together doesn't work out AND also build up some young firepower to match a team like Golden State or any other team that's assembled the same way (guard heavy) eventually.

To me, Thanasis deserves a spot. The man's paid his dues and even though the numbers don't necessarily reflect it, I think he's made nice progress. You have to sit down and really watch him carefully to see his worth--his athleticism, infectious intensity, solid defense along with his underrated offensive potential are all big pluses imho. Reminds me so much of Gerald Wilkins.. Would hate to just abandon him now--would love to see the organization stick with their original judgment on him and keep him around.

And as Briggs has identified, Wood clearly is one of the better young bigs out there for the taking, if not the best. No brainer to add this young talented kid for more frontcourt depth. Would be such a better choice over a washed up Drew Gooden. Likewise, Spencer Dinwiddie/Thanasis over a washed up Sasha Vujacic. And just MHO -- Barber/Dinwiddie WAY WAY > than Baker/Randle. Not even close, and I don't dislike either Baker or Randle.

WaltLongmire wrote:Unless the Knicks and Baker feel that him playing in Italy for a season is the best way to go, Baker is on the team.

Don't think that's an option. They didn't draft baker. They can't stash him.

If he's truly under partial guarantee he can't go until the Knicks waive him. But if they do they'll have no rights to him. If he plays in Italy it'll be as an nba ufa.

reub wrote:I didn't understand signing Plumlee because Willy G looks like a more talented version of him. We could have used more of a rim protector in that slot or a veteran presence like David Lee. Then we would have room to possibly keep Chasson Randle or sign Dinwiddie.

His signing is really irrelevant. It was effectively cap neutral.

Knicks basically happened to have a rookie minimum contract in cap money (which has no other purpose). So they signed a guy with it they probably plan to spend the season in westchester.

Most relevant is the fact plunlee died not prevent them from signing unlimited minimum deals up to 15 man roster limit.

If MP lays an egg in camp they can pay him his $550m and release him and use the roster spot on someone else.

They are in no way shape or form locked into plunlee other than writing him a check. His guarantee has no roster or cap implications.

Knickoftime wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:Unless the Knicks and Baker feel that him playing in Italy for a season is the best way to go, Baker is on the team.

Don't think that's an option. They didn't draft baker. They can't stash him.

If he's truly under partial guarantee he can't go until the Knicks waive him. But if they do they'll have no rights to him. If he plays in Italy it'll be as an nba ufa.

My own feeling is that the Italy rumor was simply he and his agent having a fall back plan if they did not keep him because of a numbers game situation.