EuroLeague star Kevin Punter had serious contract talks with the Raptors but the 30-year-old shooting guard decided to stay overseas, Cesare Milanti of Eurohoops.net relays. Punter would up extending his contract with Partizan Belgrade for two years after rejecting an offer from FC Barcelona. Punter averaged 15.5 points in 34 EuroLeague games last season while making 41.7% of his 3-point attempts and 90.6% of his free throw attempts.
“We were talking with the Raptors really heavily. I thought that was going to be an opportunity. We’ve been speaking with them for a while now, so I thought that was possible I was going to go to Toronto,” he told Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews during a podcast. “It didn’t work out. Obviously, it’s a game of leverage. You can’t give the NBA too much of your leverage because the NBA will take it and run with it.”
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Evan Fournier and his expiring $18.9MM contract remains the biggest issue hanging over the Knicks, Zach Braziller of the New York Post writes. Fournier is in limbo, with no future in the organization. However, his contract would come in handy if the Knicks have a chance to complete a blockbuster trade. His salary could also facilitate a deal for a backup power forward in the aftermath of the Obi Toppin trade with the Pacers.
- The Knicks are still far from their goal of being a championship-level team, Steve Popper of Newsday opines. They must determine whether to surrender their assets — including RJ Barrett or Immanuel Quickley — for an impact player such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine or OG Anunoby.
- The cost of acquiring a star like Damian Lillard or a top-notch offensive player like Tyler Herro might not be in the Nets’ long-term interests, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Brooklyn isn’t close to contending for a title and even a perennial All-Star Lillard won’t change that, so the team would be better off exercising patience rather than taking on either of those multiyear contracts, Lewis concludes.
Nets best to avoid going after a super star. Been there done that!
What nets can do is leverage that with their 18mm tpe that other teams may appreciate sending another quality player while nets look to the future. A little patience goes along ways.
Suggest nets contact the jazz and ask for sexton. He has average 24pts. He still had over 14pts with limited usage off the bench. Very young fast player. 3yr team friendly and fits that tpe perfectly.
Wouldn’t even wait for big trade. See if jazz take a second or protected first. Nets loaded with scoring ….
Also look at pawning off Dinwiddie to the jazz. They need a true pg.
Sure, Sexton for a protected first. Why wouldn’t the Jazz want to give away a 24 year old guy who has twice averaged 20+ PPG who shoots the 3 at 38% and is on a very team friendly contract for three more years? Oh yeah, I forgot you were willing to throw in Dinwiddie, his inclusion should get you back Lauri as well. Maybe in that case the Jazz throw in the 1st instead of the Nets.
Come on man, get real with your post.
The post worked! It got the comment section going. The whole point of hypotheticals is to learn what people value.
I wouldn’t give 4 picks but rumors have it that Simmons contract is worth two. Sexton contract is team friendly and he is a known scoring guard that is fast m.
Tht has a year but played crazy good with 7’2 wingspan. Has several 40 pt games. Showed how to rebound and pass. Hurt the jazz on their tanking. Oops
Can’t see the jazz wanting to move them wi to out a pick each. Ainge is very selective on the team and year. A frp late rounder isn’t worth as much as a lottery pick.
Simmons contract is just a waste. Nets will eat that for another year unless they get aggressive. Going to cost money or picks
I’d rate this about two picks versus 4 picks.
Just don’t see it happening unless nets need sexton because of injury and have an expiring tpe.
Let’s say the nets do that deal for sexton, what does that do for them? They’re in that unfortunate spot of not being good enough to contend, but not being bad enough to build through the draft. So how do they get better if bringing in a guy like lillard wouldn’t be enough.
You are forgetting Houston owns the nets picks for the next few years so it makes sense to upgrade where you can Dames a vet and Herro is an overpay but Sexton fits the nets timeline and doesn’t break the bank and to Greg the Jazz have made Sexton available dunno the cost but Utah might value cap space since they like to act as a dumping group to collect picks a protected first might be very appealing
The only way I see the Nets taking Herro is if they unload Ben Simmons’ contract as part of facilitating Miami’s acquisition of Lillard. That said, Ben has two years left on his deal where Tyler has four in his new extension. The Nets would be better off seeing if Ben can improve.
Not buying the Herro rumors, at 30 million a year at a position they don’t need just seems like bleacher report click bait articles
And don’t forget the Nets have a bunch of Phoenix’s number ones for the next few years as well. And the nets picks aren’t back to back, either.
I’m glad the Knicks aren’t rushing into a win now deal. The last time they did that was the Melo trade that never needed to happen, they could have just signed him in that following offseason.
Personally I think RJ’s game needs to grow from a proficiency and defensive perspective for him to look like a centrepiece of a superstar deal. Knicks have all their own picks, but the 1st round picks owed to them are all protected, and in the case of Detroit or Washington, likely won’t convey for a couple of years if they convey at all.
Fournier is a good salary matching piece, and there are a few guys that may be of interest to other teams. To make a swing now for a superstar though is going to take a team believing that RJ can improve his game, Quickley can be a starting PG, and the Knicks picks are valuable enough when they would likely be a strong team for a few years at least. I think waiting until the trade deadline at this point makes much more sense right now.
Melo trade wasn’t a rush. He asked to be traded, specifically to them. What they gave up turned out to be meh at best.
RJ drops 20ppg and his perimeter D is pretty good. He’s not a star, yet, but certainly a piece any team wouldn’t say no too.
DeM DeR …….. is all.
Why? The team needs outside shooting and wing defenders, of which DeMar is neither. Throw in that he, like Brunson and Randle need the ball their hands quite a bit makes it a complete bad move.
OG, PG and even a lesser move for someone like Lou Dort makes way more sense for the team.
No one needs the ball in their hands. If you have a real contender. You must be new to this game. DeR is a bucket who plays D. He’s a vet who Randle and Jalen will respect. He’s a guy who shares the ball. Which is what they need to do. Players do that when they have confidence in the offense and players. Chemistry is what a winning team does. Not dominate the ball. Do you even watch who was in the Finals. It wasn’t anyone who needs the ball.
Al, I’d love to see you running the Knicks. We need someone headstrong like yourself to empower our aggression with all these sure-fire championship moves you bring up!
The difference between me and the jokers here. Is I know what they are trying to do. Always have. I also know it’s not up to me. Most here don’t understand what a true rebuild is. Let alone doing it in NY.
A true rebuild is nurturing your own players. This hasn’t been done here since Ewing. (Randle was nurtured here), (RJ was nurtured here), (Mitch was nurtured here)
Most here like you. Didn’t know or think much about Grimes, McBride, Quickley, RJ, Mitch. Players who only needed time and development. Something most here are clueless about.
It’s Thibs third yr. Year 4 coming up. And we can finally say we are a playoff team.That in itself is MAJOR.
We missed with Fournier. And hit with Jalen. Since 2020-21 Thibs FIRST yr. Knicks have drafted – Obi, Quickley, Grimes, McBride, Sims, traded picks for Hart. And have accumulated picks for a major move. All while building a playoff team.
Now every nutcase Knick fan. Wants a major move. The media is pushing for a major move. Fans who could care less about the Knicks, want a major move. Now we are calling Obi a failure. Yet we got Donte, 2 picks, and TE because of Obi. A player I love. But understand had to go. It’s not a bad return.
Now we are positioned to make that next move. To me DeR is a perfect fit. That won’t bankrupt our assets. Plus we keep our core with that trade imo. I’d let him retire a Knick. He’s not expensive for his production and more important his contribution. I’m only interested in doing this right and seeing it thru. Not jump the gun cause the media or zealous fans think we should go for every star out there. Knicks are in a good place. I’m just enjoying the process. The next move is coming. We have already turned down PG13. Didn’t budge for Beal, Didn’t flinch for Dame ……. I’d say things are looking up. We are on the track to contender. Our patience will pay off. Like our abundance of picks will ……
If we can’t get Al running the Knicks, maybe we can see if his inflated ego has time to run them.
No.
His salary is $26K, vs. Fournier’s $17.K+. They’d have to give up Quickley.
Fournier’s situation is not hanging over the NYK, it’s just hanging over Fournier. Sorry about it, but NYK have to keep him until the deadline on the chance there may be a trade that requires his contract. I wouldn’t buy him out now even at a big discount.
NYK are not substantially closer to being a true contender than BKN is, and thus should also refrain from a short-sighted win-now deal. Amazing that every available so-called “impact” player is making no impact with his current team, at least in terms of winning anything. Also amazing that the Post can see the wisdom of steering clear of short-sighted trade as to BKN, but not as to the NYK.
NYK need to add better 3 pt shooting to their rotation. That includes getting 3 pt shooters and opening up minutes for them. That’s it! The notion of needing to make a trade for a so-called star is a mindless one.
I know his defense is below avg but Fournier is a career 38% 3 pt shooter. Just saying…
Yep, and that’s why stated it the way I did. They don’t need to just add 3 pt shooters to the roster (that would be easy). They need to add 3 pt shooting to the rotation. It’s not even principally about taking and making many more 3’s. It’s about spacing the floor. We’re one of the worst floor spacing teams in the league.
His defense is being below average. Hell, he can barely catch a pass. 50% chance of a turnover.
Well below *
True dat, I remember when the Lakers thought a fringe guy like Jodie Meeks or Mike Muscala was going to turn it all around
Rj Barrett, IQ and a pair of seconds for OG and Thad Young ….
Knicks would look great with OG over RJ and Thad as a back up 4 to place Obi.
OG is an elite defender which they need and just as good a scorer. Losing IQ sucks but atleast you don’t have to work out an extension with him.
Whereas Toronto have 3 forwards (OG Scottie and Pascal) for 2 starting spots but have a lack of guards. RJ returning back to Canada would be cool and he slots in as the starting 2. Then IQ also gives them another guard and some spark off the bench.
IQ is the best player in that trade. He should be untouchable in any deal save for a true A-lister. (I give it one year tops until Luka tires of Kyrie.)
He had a very poor playoffs and is on the final year of his deal. I wouldn’t bother working out an extension cause it’ll be expensive and I don’t think he can ever fit as a starter in the backcourt with Brunson. So simply move off him now while the value is high.
As for best player in the deal, OG is better
NY laughs and hangs up
A good offense makes good shooters. A good defensive team. Makes an offense look bad. That’s the battle of the game. You need gamers and bucket getters. Shooting is hot cold. Defense and rebounding is all effort. A good offensive scheme helps get good looks. But players who share the ball thru good offense. Is what all teams look for. Chemistry and depth is what a good team is all about. Not everyone can have two or three great players. Great players can help you win gms. Only teams win chips.
It’s yr 4 coming up for Knicks. STFU and watch the gms and enjoy. The next phase is coming.
Exactly. Celtics now looking for defenders & team players after Miami beat us.
Trade Fournier and a 1st for a SF starter. Sign T Gibson
I only wonder why every player has been traded to us except DeR. I’ve seen rumors about Embiid to Knicks. KAT to Knicks.
To me DeR just makes perfect sense. We all know Jalen n Randle are still a work in progress. To me DeR makes that easier. He makes life easier for everyone. Every major trade we are in. Includes RJ or Randle …..
Why give up our core.
Quickley, Grimes, Fournier, #1 pick. Gets DeR done. He’s not staying with Bulls. He’s a FA next yr.
PG – Brunson , McBride
SG – DeM DeR , Donte
SF – RJ , Hart
PF – Randle
C – Mitch , Hartenstein, Sims
I know I like this team ……….
Rumors are Knicks like Williams. And Celtics want a #1 pick. Add him to this. Like it more.
“Quickley, Grimes, Fournier, #1 pick. Gets DeR done. He’s not staying with Bulls. He’s a FA next yr.”
Sooo you want to give up IQ, Grimes, and a 1st for one year of Derozan. lmao, why?
This is insane.
Does anybody want Herro?
I don’t see Miami being able to match assets for Lillard. Herro is their golden chip, and it doesn’t look like anyone in the NBA is super excited to give up assets for him, so Miami can complete a Lillard trade.