CrushAlot wrote:Just watched the nets game. McDermott, KOQ, Beasley, and Jack were all awesome. Beasley might be the easiest to move on from but he fits his role perfectly and I think KP will always miss 10-15 games a year. All of these guys have a ton of character and fit with the team. Not sure what the right move is for each individual.

Ideally keeping this group and adding an elite SF in the draft would be ideal. The problem is Noah and his dead weight. He is going to kill this teams chance of keeping these bench players. Unfortunately we lost so many draft picks over the years we don't have guys coming through at low cost to take their place without loss of production. It all comes down to what the open market bares on each guy. I'm not opposed to keeping any of them. Kanter is the most difficult because his style of play does comliment KP very well.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2749358-nba-trade-rumors-buzz-on-nikola-mirotic-robin-lopez-and-courtney-lee?src=rss

Would be great to bring back Lopez as insurance, in case Kanter bails. Better if we could afford both, but thats doubtful. Both play well next to KP.

GustavBahler wrote:Its too bad salaries have to factor in because chemistry wise this squad has it.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2749358-nba-trade-rumors-buzz-on-nikola-mirotic-robin-lopez-and-courtney-lee?src=rss

Would be great to bring back Lopez as insurance, in case Kanter bails. Better if we could afford both, but thats doubtful. Both play well next to KP.

But to what end? Kanter, Lopez, Noah, Willy, KOQ.

To me none of those guys are long term fixtures next to KP on a deep playoff team (things can obviously change). Doesn't mean that wouldn't fit for a year or 2 and play well but Knicks need to eventually find a long term solution big that fits next to KP and within team salary structure.

Paris907 wrote:As nice as Lee and KOQ are playing, it’s probably optimal time to trade asnperhaps there’s a First in the mix and affordability becomes an issue. I like MCDermott. He moves exceptionally well off the ball and can go double digits easily. Your point about KP and Beas is well taken. Next issue is what to do w Sessions, Kanter. Do we want a 5 with grit but who has a negative +/- more often than not and has porous defense scoring 13 ppg. ? For $20-25 Million? Jury is out and a tough call.

I'd love to sell high on Lee and O'Quinn. I think we could come up with cheaper alternatives for each spot, esp. regarding O'Quinn (Christian Wood? Much more potential than KOQ and he's younger. Maybe the Magic cut Khem Birch loose by next season? Plus, there's guys like KOQ late in the draft in the 50s every year. And I like Willy--I'm not ready to turn the page on him like a lot of you guys are. Let Willy take over in that role next year. Bottom line is O'Quinn's a role player that's playing over his head right now -- no way I'm I overpaying for that). Lee's making a lot of cheddar but he's playing great ball -- hopefully we can find a taker.

Kanter and Dougie I'd love to keep. I'd also use Kanter differently. I'd start FEATURING Kanter in the offense moving forward. I just don't get it -- dude's too good an offensive player to only get scraps cleaning up around the basket with the occasional post up. I'd like to see him get 10 post up opportunities a night minimum along with some mid-range shots + the putbacks. We do that he's a 20/10 guy easily, prob. an all-star, and more than worth the sizable investment we'll have to make in him. I mean maybe it's a good thing we're suppressing him for the time being in a way -- maybe that's their thinking although I doubt it. I just don't think they see what I see. But maybe we try to keep him from exploding now, get him at a better, more team-friendly number, then take the shackles off next year and unleash the beast. I'm telling ya man, call me nuts, but if you give Kanter Karl Malone's offensive freedom, that's the type of player we could have here eventually. Never gonna know unless he starts getting the ball more.

And I wanna add a quick, change of pace PG to the mix to go along WITH Frank -- not, I repeat NOT a replacement. We can also get this type of player real cheap.

Jmpasq wrote:

Paris907 wrote:As nice as Lee and KOQ are playing, it’s probably optimal time to trade asnperhaps there’s a First in the mix and affordability becomes an issue. I like MCDermott. He moves exceptionally well off the ball and can go double digits easily. Your point about KP and Beas is well taken. Next issue is what to do w Sessions, Kanter. Do we want a 5 with grit but who has a negative +/- more often than not and has porous defense scoring 13 ppg. ? For $20-25 Million? Jury is out and a tough call.

AT 20-25 million he has to go. I think 18 is my cut off point. The question is do we give away our first round pick to get rid of Noah. I know it sux but if we pick in the 14-15 range it might be more valuable to keep these bench guys

Kanter old school comparison: Sven Nater! Sven was Bill Waltons back up at UCLA and played in the ABA/NBA and having never started in college became NBA Leading offensive rebounder. The guy was a machine and this was in a very physical era.

GustavBahler wrote:

martin wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:Its too bad salaries have to factor in because chemistry wise this squad has it.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2749358-nba-trade-rumors-buzz-on-nikola-mirotic-robin-lopez-and-courtney-lee?src=rss

Would be great to bring back Lopez as insurance, in case Kanter bails. Better if we could afford both, but thats doubtful. Both play well next to KP.

But to what end? Kanter, Lopez, Noah, Willy, KOQ.

To me none of those guys are long term fixtures next to KP on a deep playoff team (things can obviously change). Doesn't mean that wouldn't fit for a year or 2 and play well but Knicks need to eventually find a long term solution big that fits next to KP and within team salary structure.

Move Willy, KOQ, for help at PG, if there is a deal to be made. Or I would trade Willy for Lopez. Kanter and KP will miss their share of games. Lopez is starter quality, on a reasonable deal.

After next season Noah would have an expiring contract. Maybe use Willy and a 2nd rounder as part of a deal to move Noah. Dont want him bought out.