TheGame wrote:I don't think people fully appreciate the moves the Knicks made. We signed one 24 year old stud who has the chance to turn into an allstar for a fair deal. A guy like Russell just got the max and he is not significantly better than Randle. We then signed five guys who can all play on decent two year deals but then had the wisdom to make the second year a team option. So now we have a boat load of tradeable assets that we can use if an AD type demands to be traded at the deadline or if teams want to clear cap space. We have the ultimate flexibility AND we got players that plug many of the holes that were on this team. This was a brilliant FA period.
I think the Knicks did a solid job giving the team a chance to get better. I think our best scenario would have been to sign Kawhi/Kemba. While I think Kemba could have been realistic had the Knicks gone after him, there would be little logical reason for Kawhi to come here.
Every season is a new beginning - you hope the team gels and you head into the new year around .500, in contention for a playoff spot. If not, we can easily pull the plug all the way and turn on the tank. The expiring/2nd year team option contracts make our new guys ideal trade candidates for assets to contenders. Win if they help us win, win if we don't win and they get us more picks.
Regarding the Nets: Kudos to them for getting the winning (risky) haul. In their fairy tale world, Kyrie stays healthy and the young team continues to improve, and KD is able to return in time for a playoff run.
Realistically, they have to be worried if about taking a step back. Figure KD will miss the entire year. Figure if Kyrie does what he always does, he'll miss 20-30 games this season and cause some discord on his team. Russell played a solid 81 games last season and had solid chemistry with his teammates. Beyond this season, next season I'd be worried again that KD will have lost some explosion and wiggle to his game. He might not shoot as well nor be able to shake defenders the way he has in his prime. And of course, Kyrie could bring all of the same baggage he has.
Steven A Smith needs to get a grip.