Finestrg wrote:martin wrote:Finestrg wrote:kinda makes you rethink resigning Kanter in a way, esp. if the money for Kanter doesn't make sense when the time comes.
Been racking my brain about how Kanter fits into the team long term, next year will be crucial for him: gotta demonstrate big step up in defense and mid-range shots (which he takes none of this year).
If he can't do both, I just can't see Knicks signing him long term, too many max or near max players out there that would be better investments.
If we did sign him, I allot him much more freedom in the offense. He'd be a guy that I made sure I went out of my way to get 15 shots a night for minimum (esp. w/o KP next yr). The jump shot thing is funny -- he actually does have one, with range all the way out to 3, believe it or not. He was taking and making 3s his last year in Utah. I like his jumper--very strange he hasn't been encouraged to shoot more. He's been open and has had opportunities... Maybe the Knicks are trying to suppress him somewhat offensively, thinking they could keep his eventual price tag down. Not sure, but if we wanted to use him a little differently next year, I think he's a 20/10 player very easily.
I don't think teams do this, hold a player back to keep his eventual price tag down, as you are suggesting. The question for me is Why isn't Kanter just shooting them if he CAN make them? He's got a very nice FT form and %. And it's just not the Knicks, right? He shied away from those shots at OKC.
I don't think teams would feature an offense player like Kanter as you are suggestion either, he's a very bad passer and pretty much a black hole on offense. He could certainly change. And unless his defense changes, I don't think he'll get enough minutes for 20/10.
Finestrg wrote:Who are the max or near max players you'd rather have over Kanter (specifically bigs)?
Lots of possibilities over the next few years and it all depends who opts in and out of contracts. I'd love for the Knicks to draft a big or 2 to compliment KP over the next 2 drafts, and maybe a SF too. After that you make FA decisions.
http://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/2019/