GONYK wrote:NoDopeOnSundays wrote:If they're going to run the team back, they absolutely positively have to get a better bench to protect the players during the season. Also, the odd man out is Mitch, but it may be difficult to move him because of the injuries.
The team, when healthy, has a good bench.
Deuce, Bogs, Mitch, Precious, Hart + rookie(s)
It's an alright bench. Mitch is injury prone and Bogs is getting up in years.
Knicks two main trade chips are Bogs (because he has some actual utility as a player but mostly he's expiring) and Mitch, who is good, but injury prone, but his contract only has 2 more years, and it's declining, so he's going to make 14 and then 12 million. That's either a good bargain for the Knicks, or for another team.
I'll try to keep this brief and interesting. Disclaimer: I don't think the approach is unique to the Knicks FO.
Knicks FO seems to take the approach of building redundancy at a position(s), then trading from depth to get a player that more fits Thibs style of commitment to defense, sharing the ball on offense, ability to guard more than one position or some kind of positional versatility.
They've also picked up extra draft picks along the way to make those trades happen, both 1st and 2nd rounders.
Even though it wasn't the best use of assets, they took a flier on Cam Reddish, burning a 1st round pick in the process, but eventually used Cam's salary slot and another pick to land Josh Hart.
Josh Hart does a lot of things, but mainly, he's always committed to defense, can play 3,4 and some 2 guard, and excels in the open court. RJ was a 2/3/4 who excelled in the open court, decent rebounder, come and go defender.
Josh Hart made RJ somewhat expendable in a trade.
Obi didn't play a lot of defense, gets moved for picks.
Knicks sign Donte. Donte has the rep of all around guard, a bit streaky on 3s, drives the ball decently but could be better. Importantly, he took 14 million per, or whatever it was, a lot less than the 20 million+ that IQ is due.
Donte exceeded 3 and D expectations, but even if he didn't, he made IQ somewhat expendable in a trade.
Knicks move RJ and IQ for OG.
OG solves the defense at 3, but also backup 4
Grimes loses his starting spot to Donte because of inconsistent 3 point shooting. Knicks know Deuce is bringing the defense and 3 point shooting in practice. Deuce makes Grimes expendable. Grimes gets moved with Fournier's $ for Bogs $ (and some Randle help) and Burks.
Emergence of IShart as a starting C and an important part of the offense makes Mitch SOMEWHAT expendable. Knicks have Sims to provide some backup C minutes, possibly Precious as well. There is legitimate risk to dealing Mitch away without finding a good backup C.
If Knicks stick to their way of operating, they probably package Mitch and Bogs in a trade for a player making around 36 million, or, and I don't know the cap ramifications, move one, the other, or both in separate trades for depth....but I don't think so.
Knicks probably try to retain one player picked in upcoming draft for more bench depth.
Knicks MIGHT explore trading Randle and stuff for Towns IF Minny has any interest or financial need, only because OG can hold down PF.
Knicks have positioned themselves to trade Bogs and Mitch, and MAYBE Randle.
Probably how most teams operate that are run decently
