Knixkik wrote:I’d rather trade RJ for a player who fits better.

This

VDesai wrote:We don't maximize our talent by trading RJ for another undersized combo guard to pair with Brunson. We need a lengthy SG/SF who can play defense and stretch the floor. Guys like Trey Murphy III and Cameron Johnson seem to be the best kind of fits.

Dame is a great, but will be in his mid 30s and hasn't played over 70 games in 5 yrs and leaves us weak defensively. And it will cost way more than RJ.

2 guys I am trading RJ for

Jaylen Brown
Brandon Ingram

The guys you mentioned should be gettable with a guy like Obi.

I know the cliche line of "we need a team of Josh Hart's, instead of selfish players like RJ and Julius" sounds great and honorable, but you need talent, top end talent (RJ is a top end talent) and players like that to win. The Knicks are not good enough to trade for fit yet. Cam Johnson and Trey Murphy are NOT getting you closer to a title, no matter the fit.

This is not a starphuck (I hate the ****ing term...thanks Nalod) post, but a maximize your assets post. The RJ hate gets in the way of valuing him when talking trade.

Their biggest issue is execution down the stretch when their ISO players are keyed on - they don't have great spacing or shooters to stop the doubles/lane clogging. They also need consistent defenders around Randle and Brunson that can change the game.

VDesai wrote:I dunno about that- the Knicks have scoring. They have 2 guys that are legit 24/25 ppg scorers and honestly 3 guys that are capable of going for 40+ on any given night if you count Quickley, who has established himself as a guy who can get his shot at multiple levels and times. Barrett can be a dominant scorer at times, but plays a slow ISO game that overlaps with Brunson and Randle. What i'm talking about is getting a guy with upside that is a better fit. Murphy/Johnson are already 14-15 ppg type scorers, but they have length, play defense and can space the floor with their shooting. They can put up similar points to Barrett and provide a better fit around your 2 key players. The Knicks are competitive with every major team in the league. They had a good record vs. all the big dogs except Milwaukee- who they played close multiple times only to lose in the last cpl mins. Maybe it won't happen with Johnson who seems locked in a role player, but Murphy will be come a 20+ PPG scorer in the league next year at his current rate of improvement, and he showed off his full game vs. just a few nights ago.

Their biggest issue is execution down the stretch when their ISO players are keyed on - they don't have great spacing or shooters to stop the doubles/lane clogging. They also need consistent defenders around Randle and Brunson that can change the game.

Reading some Pelicans message boards Murphy is their version of how Grimes is viewed here. He needs more shots because his percentages on low volume are high.
Cam Johnson hasn't played more than 70 games in a season in his career, which started in 2019/20.

I'm fine with trading RJ if the deal is right (although I think they will regret it) but for a couple for a 3 and D guy it doesn't make sense.

GustavBahler wrote:Much respect for Damian Lillard. As a player, entrepreneur, philanthropist, lyricist.

I dont like the idea of trading young for old. If RJ is traded, I'd hope the player we get back would be a starter for the next 3-4 years or so. Not sure how much longer Dame can play at this level. Not to mention defense at this stage in his career.

Kind of hoping Lillard plays his entire career in Portland.

And this contract is a beast………

Also, your not trading RJ for him straight up. You need RJ and EF contracts, plus picks and yoots.

joec32033 wrote:

VDesai wrote:We don't maximize our talent by trading RJ for another undersized combo guard to pair with Brunson. We need a lengthy SG/SF who can play defense and stretch the floor. Guys like Trey Murphy III and Cameron Johnson seem to be the best kind of fits.

Dame is a great, but will be in his mid 30s and hasn't played over 70 games in 5 yrs and leaves us weak defensively. And it will cost way more than RJ.

2 guys I am trading RJ for

Jaylen Brown
Brandon Ingram

The guys you mentioned should be gettable with a guy like Obi.

I know the cliche line of "we need a team of Josh Hart's, instead of selfish players like RJ and Julius" sounds great and honorable, but you need talent, top end talent (RJ is a top end talent) and players like that to win. The Knicks are not good enough to trade for fit yet. Cam Johnson and Trey Murphy are NOT getting you closer to a title, no matter the fit.

This is not a starphuck (I hate the ****ing term...thanks Nalod) post, but a maximize your assets post. The RJ hate gets in the way of valuing him when talking trade.

RJ plus picks for Brown yes.

I mean Brunson walked in here an immediately lifted us up.

We have Brunson/IQ —- let’s find a legit..legit 2 or 3 that can play big time in big playoff games.

Only options may be LaVine and Beal — anybody else?

Pelicans don’t have a PG do they? Again that would lead us back to IQ.

Someone above I think said they wouldn’t deal RJ for T Murphy. Really?

fishmike wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:Ingram is an interesting thought but with Jones/Murphy Pelicans don’t really have a need for RJ.

Pelicans don’t have a PG do they? Again that would lead us back to IQ.

Someone above I think said they wouldn’t deal RJ for T Murphy. Really?

Pels have a bunch of decent wings. I would think they would look HARD had a deal for Ingram for RJ/Obi/McBride. They have had big depth problems and Obi would also give them a nice prospect to look at when Zion misses a 1000 games. For us we upgrade the weakest link in the rotation with an all star caliber guy. He gets hurt alot but I think our depth could offset some on that.

I’d like to hold onto McBride, but you have to give to get. I’d be open to something like that. Ingram is only 25. Hasn’t really been able to stay healthy, but shows some real skill as a distributor. He’d make a pretty solid big 3 with Brunson and Randle, assuming those two can accept his role in the offense.

I’m still on the OG Anunoby kick, but Ingram is the higher end alternative if he were to become available.