On one hand, we have a number of players that we have paid dues on this year and last who, next year, should be emerging stars. This includes Mitch, Dotson, Frankie, Knox, Vonleh, and a few others. One possible trajectory is to hang onto all or the majority of them and simply augment that squad with whoever we pick-up in the draft and whoever we can sign during the summer. In this scenario I'm not necessarily suggesting starphuck signings, just rock solid pros whose contracts remain tradeable over time should one of the kiddie corp prove the better option.

On the other hand, there is the irresistible impulse to swing for the fences and trade a significant number of young assets for the current crop of available high-priced talent. If, in fact, more than one of these "stars" could be traded for or signed then the Knicks are at least players in the playoffs and so on. It would be naive to think that anyone on the current roster would be untouchable to trade.

Given the off-season war chest, my guess is that the Knicks will follow the latter trajectory. And its one, the Knicks have been burned on time and time again. I think we all hold our breath to see how brilliantly or tragically this plays out.

I think the fix is in with AD - he's being gift-wrapped for Lebron in LA. And this is both obscene and unfortunate for the league and the game. I think the Knicks have the assets to compete with both LA and Boston in terms of fair value but I doubt it matters.

It may be a mixed blessing. It could mean that we hang onto our kiddie corp in one form or another. If we try buying into a team this summer with FA signings then these players still face being traded for rotation players to supplement whoever is signed.

I know it won't play out this way, but my druther is that the Knicks stick to the former trajectory - stay with the kids, they won't win tomorrow but they will pick up steam next year and will start to compete a few years out which may be just as soon as anything the Knicks do in the near future will blossom anyway.

Some similar awareness is happening in the NFL - where (if you're NOT the Patriots) there's an extreme premium drafting quality QBs and adding them to teams that are already stacked in other positions. Call it the Russell Wilson effect. Once the QB gets past the rookie contract, their cap hit on the 2nd contract becomes restrictive in holding on to a good team.

Here's a list of biggest contracts in the NBA this year:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/players.html

11 are making $30m or more. (just off the list #11 Milsap and #12 Horford will crack $30m on the same contract).

In my judgement, Curry, Westbrook, James, Harden, and Durant are no-brainers on the list. They bring star power and are really that good. Chris Paul, fine, they had to overpay to get him to Houston - and he's a great winning player when he's healthy. And Paul George, fine, he's a great 2-way player and I think younger than anyone else I've mentioned to this point.

Then you get to players like Blake Griffin - outstanding player, but perhaps out of his era. Big men just don't seem to be that valuable at the moment in terms of winning. Gordon Hayward, well, he's massively underperformed his contract given his injury/slow return to form. Lowry? I can't even believe he's on this list. Mike Conley, the same.

I've stated this before, but Mitchell Robinson is basically the holy grail - as a 2nd round pick, he cost us close to nothing, his agent got duped into signing a long term affordable contract, so he's pretty much the best value in this draft class, perhaps the best trading chip in the entire NBA. Yes, there are 2 (Ayton, Doncic), maybe 3 (Young) better players in the class. But Robinson will make in 4 years basically what each of those lottery guys will make THIS SEASON alone.

I've actually begun to question whether even a player like Anthony Davis is worthy of a max contract. We can talk about his supporting cast, but they're not a .500 team. They had a nice run last season after Boogie got hurt, but I've wondering if Anthony Davis in the modern NBA is more of a #3 guy along the lines of Kevin Love on the Cavs.

technomaster wrote:This year has been very educational from an NBA contract economics standpoint. Just a few years ago, the cap increased dramatically and the max contract went sky high, but I think we'll be going through a market adjustment; I think MLB is going through it now where sub-30 premium FAs are having a hard time getting super deals. Call it collusion or perhaps advanced analytics telling the cost hard facts that you need to be a very special player to be worthy of max.

Some similar awareness is happening in the NFL - where (if you're NOT the Patriots) there's an extreme premium drafting quality QBs and adding them to teams that are already stacked in other positions. Call it the Russell Wilson effect. Once the QB gets past the rookie contract, their cap hit on the 2nd contract becomes restrictive in holding on to a good team.

Here's a list of biggest contracts in the NBA this year:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/players.html

11 are making $30m or more. (just off the list #11 Milsap and #12 Horford will crack $30m on the same contract).

In my judgement, Curry, Westbrook, James, Harden, and Durant are no-brainers on the list. They bring star power and are really that good. Chris Paul, fine, they had to overpay to get him to Houston - and he's a great winning player when he's healthy. And Paul George, fine, he's a great 2-way player and I think younger than anyone else I've mentioned to this point.

Then you get to players like Blake Griffin - outstanding player, but perhaps out of his era. Big men just don't seem to be that valuable at the moment in terms of winning. Gordon Hayward, well, he's massively underperformed his contract given his injury/slow return to form. Lowry? I can't even believe he's on this list. Mike Conley, the same.

I've stated this before, but Mitchell Robinson is basically the holy grail - as a 2nd round pick, he cost us close to nothing, his agent got duped into signing a long term affordable contract, so he's pretty much the best value in this draft class, perhaps the best trading chip in the entire NBA. Yes, there are 2 (Ayton, Doncic), maybe 3 (Young) better players in the class. But Robinson will make in 4 years basically what each of those lottery guys will make THIS SEASON alone.

I've actually begun to question whether even a player like Anthony Davis is worthy of a max contract. We can talk about his supporting cast, but they're not a .500 team. They had a nice run last season after Boogie got hurt, but I've wondering if Anthony Davis in the modern NBA is more of a #3 guy along the lines of Kevin Love on the Cavs.

Excellent analysis.

There is a prevailing argument for a "Franchise Max" player Versus a "Market Max" player

A Franchise Max guy is automatically implied as a Market Max guy. ( i.e. a Durant or Curry or LBJ, a guy who can push you into true contention but is also marketable enough to drive your ticket sales/branding/advertising/etc)

A Market Max guy is more akin to young Blake Griffin ( biracial to suit multiple demographics, plays way above the rim, highlight reel player, was in a large market, easy to sell on national TV broadcasts, easier to sell merchandise but a player who is not going to drive you into contention alone or even with their massive cap hold tradeoff)

You are likely the first person here to point out openly that if the money doesn't work ( if the cap situation doesn't add up given the current market climate) then the team has lost before it's even played a game to start the season. The money has to work.

Excellent. I look forward to seeing you post more.

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GustavBahler wrote:Bump

Dont trade our future away for Davis. Mitch's nickname should be "plug n' play" he fits in so well with his teammates.

To make the salary and assets work. Knicks would/could deal Zion, DSjr, Frank, Knox & Trier. If Kyrie and Durant are signed then they replace the need for DSjr and Knox. While Frank and Trier obviously aren't close to ADs level. The question becomes giving up Zion as well. To add Mitch to that list imo I would dead any calls. Would have to be an either or in terms of Zion or Mitch but I wouldn't do both.

I don't even know if I would add in a future draft pick on top of that deal. But that's the beauty of having the assets and cap space and dealing from a position of strength.

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:Bump

Dont trade our future away for Davis. Mitch's nickname should be "plug n' play" he fits in so well with his teammates.

To make the salary and assets work. Knicks would/could deal Zion, DSjr, Frank, Knox & Trier. If Kyrie and Durant are signed then they replace the need for DSjr and Knox. While Frank and Trier obviously aren't close to ADs level. The question becomes giving up Zion as well. To add Mitch to that list imo I would dead any calls. Would have to be an either or in terms of Zion or Mitch but I wouldn't do both.

I don't even know if I would add in a future draft pick on top of that deal. But that's the beauty of having the assets and cap space and dealing from a position of strength.

Dont want to see the Knicks give up the players you cited for any max player. Especially Zion
We have 2 max slots, Knicks should sign the best players to compliment the youth movement, not put it on the backburner again.

Will be accused of overrating the talent on the roster, compared to the prospect of having elite options, at the same position. Fair enough.

My concern are long term contracts for players who have trouble staying healthy. This franchise has been kicked you know where over the decades, with long term, expensive, deals. Deals that fans kept counting down, because said player was always hurt and almost untradeable.

If Mitch Trier, Knox, Dsjr among others, werent showing that they have real skills, Id be more willing to take a shot with an AD, or a Kyrie. Dont want to max out a PG, if Smith proves he can be the man.

We have a decent chance to get Zion or Barett. Hope Perry/Mills puts taking on 2 max salaries on the backburner, if we draft one of them. Next thing, we start trading away youth for veteran role players for the yearly playoff push. Bye-bye youth movement. Hope the max players stay healthy.

Would rather just add Durant, or one other max player like Thompson. If a max contract is to be given out. See if the team can make the playoffs. See if the younger players like Mitch, Trier, Dsjr, etc show they can be long term building blocks. Make gradual adjustments instead of going all in over the summer, just to make a splash.

Was glad to hear that Perry/Mills are not locked into signing 2 max players this summer either, from interviews.