reub wrote:I believe that we will be faced with the huge decision of selecting MPJr. We really need to get the best medical opinions on him because selecting (or not selecting) him will be what will be remembered about this draft years from now. It could make or break our franchise.

If he is there that means the other talent that we are considering has probably been taken and would leave us with no choice but to take him. But I would see what his market can generate.

NotInMyHouse wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

NotInMyHouse wrote:

reub wrote:Trae Young is working out for us today. After watching Steph Curry go off last night I'm starting to warm to Trae's possibilities here in NY.

Trae is literally a generational talent on offense.
The problem is, he is a YMCA talent on defense.
However, I doubt whoever is guarding him will keep up with his scoring (considering how he can hit the 3 point shot) and his ability to see the floor and get team mates involved.

Read somebody who followed Young say that he was a much better defender before he came to college.

He has also gained some decent weight while losing body fat.

Can't say I'm in love with him, primarily because of his D potential, but he seems to have worked hard leading up to the draft.

I know that Isiah Thomas is shorter...but can we use him as an example of a fine offensive player who simply couldn't make the grade as a defender, and thus lost value.

And don't think Young not being a good defender is only about him...who picks up fouls trying to cover for a poor perimeter defender's inability to prevent penetration or deal with the pick and roll?
Isiah was able to get by with a group of great defenders on Boston...his value is marginalized on a team without a good help defense.

KP is the guy on the Knicks who is going to be hurt by poor perimeter defenders, since he is always, sometimes to his own detriment, looking to block penetrators. Also remember, when KP collapses to block a shot, his man is also left open.

I'm just trusting our people to make the right choice. Fizdale had a two-way PG in Memphis, and his PG's when he was with the heat were more assist men and defenders than scorers. Not sure what he is looking for in his backcourt now.

Interesting that Young was a better defender before college. Makes sense as he was most of the teams offense.
I don't think he will be there when we pick. I would prefer a 2 way player but again, his offense is so incredible that it sort of negates some of his defense.
Correct, he will put pressure on KP, but if the rest of our team is solid (big IF), then we can live with that. He can really distribute the rock, so his offense is not just scoring.
I think it is very very notable that he lead college in scoring AND assists. Rare feat.
Good points, perhaps Young really will shine in the pros as he isn't going to be depended on at all like in College.
Yeah, trusting in management. Glad we don't have to make all these decisions. Not even that guy here who starts all those threads. lol

I have my favorites, and I'm worried about Young as a defender, but the guys we have looking at him will be seeing things none of us are privy to. Got to trust the brass, I guess.

BigDaddyG wrote:I see we're working out Anfernee Simmons. That's got to be the scariest pick in the draft. Anyone have any insight on him? Heck, a year in China would be better than what we have to go on now.

martin wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:I see we're working out Anfernee Simmons. That's got to be the scariest pick in the draft. Anyone have any insight on him? Heck, a year in China would be better than what we have to go on now.

The Stepien had him ranked as a tier 3 prospective and #9 overall for the 2019 draft. They compared his situation to the kid from Kentucky, Diallo last year.

Wonder what the consensus was for Diallo last year for the 2018 draft.... cause he may have lost standings by going to college?

Gudris wrote:DO you people think it is by accident KP is spending half summer in Madrid where Luka Donchich is playing or he is also doing recruiting job?

accident

Gudris wrote:DO you people think it is by accident KP is spending half summer in Madrid where Luka Donchich is playing or he is also doing recruiting job?

I think we would need to trade up in order to get Doncic. Perhaps we can do a deal with Memphis if Doncic is still on the board?

My assumption is they will try to get back to the play offs next season with a healthy Mike Conley and Marc Gasol leading the way. Let's do a deal something like:

They receive
- Tim Hardaway (SG/SF), Lance Thomas (SF/PF), 9th overall pick
- Courtney Lee (SG/PF), Lance Thomas (SF/PF), 9th overall pick [this deal saves them $5 million in cap space]
- Tim Hardaway (SG/SF), Courtney Lee (SG/PF), Lance Thomas (SF/PF), 9th overall pick

*it is possible we could have to include a future pick in such a deal, so throw them a first round pick with lottery protection through 2020 then after that takeaway the protection in the third year by that point we should be back in the play offs. Maybe throw our second round pick in from this year.

This deal works for them because when you look at the options at 9 they can draft a player that should be able to come in straight away and do a job for them. Mikal Bridges is a pro ready player that can start at SG or SF, Wendell Carter could play PF or C, Miles Bridges can play SF or PF, or they could reach for Zhaire Smith.

The other benefit of this deal comes with the veteran influx. Tim Hardaway would give them a near 20 a night guy to pair with Conley in the back court. Lance Thomas and Courtney Lee would add depth to their bench or they could even start.

We receive
- Chandler Parsons (SF), 4th overall pick
- " "
- Chandler Parsons (SF), Ben McLemore (SG), 4th overall pick

Now in an ideal world we don't want to be acquiring Chandler Parsons, but I could stomach his remaining two seasons at $25 million if it means getting Luka Doncic on the team. At the end of the day when he's healthy he can start at SF with Doncic at SG, or we can utilize Parsons as a small ball PF, or even just have him be our very expensive off the bench option.

In the final deal acquiring Ben McLemore gives us another talented guard that can knock down three pointers and add some scoring to our second unit or even starting line up depending on how we decide to line up.

Potential Roster
- PG: Ntilikina / Burke / Mudiay
- SG: Lee / Dotson / Baker
- SF: Doncic
- PF: Porzingis (when healthy) / Parsons
- C: Kanter (if he opts in) / Noah

- PG: Ntilikina / Burke / Mudiay
- SG: Hardaway / Dotson / Baker
- SF: Doncic
- PF: Porzingis (when healthy) / Parsons
- C: Kanter (if he opts in) / Noah

- PG: Ntilikina / Burke / Mudiay
- SG: McLemore / Dotson / Baker
- SF: Doncic
- PF: Porzingis (when healthy) / Parsons
- C: Kanter (if he opts in) / Noah

I'm not sure how willing Memphis would be to do a trade down these lines but getting two or three veterans plus a pro ready player from this year's draft and then future draft capital (most likely a 2020 or 2021 unprotected first round pick) could be enough to tempt them if they aren't 100% sure on Doncic and the other prospects. I personally wouldn't do a deal if I was them, I would be looking to blow up their roster and start their rebuild around the 4th overall pick and try to trade Conley and Gasol for assets.

anrst wrote:it's bizarre to me that Ayton and Bamba aren't the far and away 1a/1b (take your pick) of this draft.

Bamba still has a ways to go physically and skill wise. Ayton's tenacity has been questioned and his D isn't as good as it should be. They are 1a and 1b in terms of upside.

BigDaddyG wrote:

blkexec wrote:I wonder why no one is talking about adding both Mikal and Jaylen (PG).....I think both players are better than what we have at SF and PG. Plus they already have chemistry together and Jaylen understands where Mikals hot spots are.

Disagree with you about Jaylen, but it's harder to track late first rounders/second rounders. He's worth a look if he's still around at #36, but it's probably unlikely.