HOWEVER:
We're not winning playing with core players that will be here 2 years from now. We're winning playing with a starting PG that was out of the league. A starting SG who will be gone 2 years from now. A starting 5 who I love but will have a 50/50 chance at returning. Our bench is filled with middle of their careers type of guys or guys that will not be in the NBA a few years from now.

This team is 1-7 on the road and still pretty bad on defense unless Frank is locked in.

Lets keep the same focus and perspective we had at season's start. 25 and under.

Kanter 25 Willy 23
KP 22
Doug 24
THJ 25 Dotson 22
Frank 19

That's essentially the players we should be looking to develop into the rotation and be regulars over the next year or so. Add good draft picks and make trades that make sense longterm (such as O'Quinn for a first rounder or young wing player).

Way I see it we need to remain focused on making longterm moves such as the Melo trade. Trade older for younger whenever you can. Do not get too excited about a team that has 3 starters that may not be even starting for us next year. We have to remain focused on the big prize. Building a team that can be a playoff lock and a contender for a long time. No quick fixes.

I think Mills and Perry know this. I hope they don't overpay Enes. He is valuable with a salary of 15M or so. If you begin to go more north on that, you are not going to leave enough room to eventually sign a star free agent. You need to preserve capspace. Think longterm. Above all else.

The players playing beat out their competition. That's how it should be.

Right now Knicks are in range for the 15th and 31st picks in the upcoming NBA draft. We need a real SF, Long term running mate with Frank at PG, Long term back up PF that most likely will need to be long, athletic and probably have to be able to shoot if we maintain having a low post thudder next to KP. Would most likely have to use that 2nd rounder to cover that. And depending on if we keep Kanter or not we will need a thudding enforcer type center. If Kanter does opt out that would free up some money where a guy like Derek Favors may end up being cheaper than Kanter. Favors is still in his prime at 27 offers more defensive upside. Playing center and having a big like KP who stretches the floor would also do wonders for Favors who may be had at a bargain. But with Gobert out for a couple of months Favors has all the opportunity right now to up his stock.

Upgrading the size, length, athleticism at the forward position would be huge for our defense on the glass and cover for some of KPs flaws. With the needs listed in the previous paragraph. Must understand that all of them probably won't be correctly fixed and upgraded all in one off season. Our 2 draft picks will need to attempt to cover 2 of those needs. And may have to wait until the following off season to fill the rest of the needs. That's the process.

So long as keep developing young players as well and also look to keep adding youth, we will move forward. Having one decent year and then writing big cheques to Enes, Kyle Jack etc. will be a big mistake.

nyknickzingis wrote:Agree completely that having a CLee and Jack is important to establishing team culture and good habits.
However what I'm saying is that it should not come at the cost of player development and longterm goals.

So long as keep developing young players as well and also look to keep adding youth, we will move forward. Having one decent year and then writing big cheques to Enes, Kyle Jack etc. will be a big mistake.

You don't have to write anybody a check.... we do need to keep continuity within reason. You can't develop players properly without vets. We also can't keep rotating in players every year. That was the big topic of conversion with Phil... now that's something people feel we must do?

We all want to get better... keep developing young players, not paying players that are helping us. When does the cycle end? When do we get better? If we keep flipping roster like this when do we start to win? When Kristaps is 26-27 years old? Kristaps might not be here if this is how were going to run the franchise. There has to be a balance. We should be able to make the flip towards playoff contender in a year or so. That should be the focus. We don't have to mortgage the future to do it. There has to be a balance

The Spurs have been doing this for decades. This franchise has to start somewhere and everything that’s been happening this season is to establish a winning culture. I have no problem with this approach.