Simple Knicks Offseason

[R-DAWG]

Assuming there isn't a home run type of trade available - this version of a Knicks offseason allows the Knicks to run it back, while slightly upgrading their depth and remaining flexible with draft capital and expiring contracts while staying below the 2nd apron.

1) Trade Mitchell Robinson to OKC for the 2nd least favorable of the Sixers/Rockets/Thunder 2024 1st rd pick - top-10 protected turning into multiple 2nds - see explanation in #4 below. NY would also get a $14.3MM TPE.

2) Keep both draft picks. Select Ryan Dunn with one pick and a C prospect with the other - my target here is Kyle Flipowski from Duke. Flipowski gives the Knicks a floor spacing big who while not a true rim protector gives effort on defense. Dunn fits the mold of a Thibs player and provides OG insurance in the short term as he gets groomed to be a Josh Hart replacement. The important thing here is replacing the cost controlled talent that NY had last season (Grimes, IQ, Toppin) as you need these guys to round out a roster.

3) Resign OG Anunoby to a 4 year, $140MM deal - flat at $35MM per year with a player option in year 4. A larger number for OG but this is what you signed up for when you traded for him.

4) Resign Isiah Hartenstein to the best deal possible. Hopefully it's less than the 4 year, $72.5MM that NY can offer as I don't know how tradeable that contract is long term, but keeping I-Hart and turning Mitch into a pick is better than letting I-Hart walk for free and keeping Mitch. I don't see a long term scenario where your paying both I-Hart and Mitch once Brunson's extension kicks in next year. Having said that, I'm only trading Mitch right now if I get good value.

5) Resign and Precius Achewia to a 1 year contract at the room exception ($8MM). Obviously, if we keep Mitch no need for Achewia but I think the combination of Precious and Flipowski is more than adequate for backup C.

6) Resign Alec Burks to a 1 year contract slightly above the taxpayer mid level ($6MM). Yes, Burks struggled in the regular season and fell out of the rotation. But the Indiana series showed why NY wanted him back and, frankly, they need a guy with his skill set off the bench. A healthy Burks and Bogdonovic compliment McBride and Josh Hart perfectly off the bench

7) Pick up the Bojan Bogdonovic option. At best he adapts to his bench scoring role, at worst a big expiring contract.

Rotation:
Brunson/DDV/Anunoby/Randle/Hartenstein
McBride/Burks/Hart/Bogdonovic/Flipowski
Ryan Dunn for wing dept (I assume there will be plenty of regular season minutes given OG's injury history and Bogdonovic's age)
Precius Achewica and Jericho Sims remain of the roster for front court depth. I can see Thibs platooning Flipowski and Achewuia based on matchups.

The end result is slightly more depth and a stretch 5 on the court. Additionally, brining in cost controlled players who can slowly adapt to the NBA to prepare to take a larger role as the roster gets more expensive. On the Mitch Rob front you replace the Dallas future 1 with another low upside 1, but stay plus 4 on picks. And between Bogdonovic, Burks and Achewia you have $33MM in expiring contracts to play with, plus a $14MM TPE and realistically can fill out the roster being +/- $5-7MM under the 2nd apron.

[Godaddycurse]

1) do you mean 2025 1st? 2024 1st is pick 12 and thats OKC's only 1st. Robinson also isn't worth a 1st + cap relief. Gafford brought a 1st but costed eating holmes too
2) OG is going to get more in FA
3) you dont get both a room exception and a taxpayer MLE. Room exception is for teams who uses up capspace

[R-DAWG]

1) do you mean 2025 1st? 2024 1st is pick 12 and thats OKC's only 1st. Robinson also isn't worth a 1st + cap relief. Gafford brought a 1st but costed eating holmes too
2) OG is going to get more in FA
3) you dont get both a room exception and a taxpayer MLE. Room exception is for teams who uses up capspace

I'm operating as a over the cap team and resigning Burks and Precious utilizing bird rights. I am using the metrics of the room exception and slightly over the taxpayer MLE as to where I think the competition is for these guys on the open market.

I disagree with you about the OG value and Mitch value. I don't necessarily need cap relief, OKC just does not have a contract to dump. If I can't get a first for Mitch, I'm happy to keep him.

[cgf]

Keeping both halves of RobinHart is better than keeping just one of them. Trading mitch doesn't open any extra money up to give to Hartenstein. If our early bird rights aren't enough to keep him, he's gone.

[Colbinii]

I'm a bit lower than Robinson due to limited offensive game and health concerns.

I'd peg him as similar value as Gafford, which is salary back and a late 1st or no salary back and a couple 2nds.

If you disagree, sell me on how Robinson is worth significantly more than Gafford.

[Texas Chuck]

OG is not signing that cheap. Nor do I understand trying to play hardball. The team was a juggernaut in the games he played. I understand the health concerns, but those were known when the trade was made. So clearly the team was ready to accept that. Pay the man, keep him happy, and win lots of games.

Yeah you are overvaluing Robinson. You say you don't care about the space, but OKC does, its a real cost to them so they aren't going to pay you as if you were taking back a 2 year dead money deal like the Wizards did. And that's assuming Gafford isn't worth more which I think he clearly is because he's far more available.

Other than that I hate just running it back like this. New York is both too good and still with needs to be a real contender to just sit on assets and not at least try to upgrade. I would be far, far more aggressive than this. Otherwise you are just wasting Brunson.

[jbk1234]

I don't see any team giving up a first for Mitchell Robinson. Maybe the Knicks find a team willing to take him for cap space, but he's too much of an injury risk to return an asset.

I'd be surprised is all three of O.G., Precious, and Burks return on such team friendly deals.

[Astaluego]

I think he should send M.Robinson somewhere else, the THUNDER has made it clear (with their movements) that they have no interest in centers that can't shoot and ruin the space for SGA to operate...
If I'm the Knicks I'd make a strong offer for Bane...
I think he'd be an especially good fit, maybe GRIZZLIES are open to the idea, if they select Knech, who could be the best player available in their draft range... Bojan(expiring)+Robinson+3 FRP..??

If it is not possible, I would try to move up in the Draft and get Knech, I have the impression that his game is going to translate very well in the NBA and he is going to be an impact player

[Helsbyte]

I would pass on Dunn if I was the Knicks. Turn one of your late 24 1st into multiple 2nds and draft some more depth or trade both and free up the guaranteed salary to help with your signings.

[Gert42]

I also don't think its realistic for the Knicks to sign Hartenstein for less than what they can offer him (more of a general statement, not just to this post). The fact that he is capped on what the Knicks can offer him is the discount for him staying, not taking less money on top of that.

[mademan]

Ya i think OG costs a decent chunk more and IH isnt returning for anything less than the max NY can offer (tho maybe, if OKC doesnt want him, he might not have a market).

And agree with Chuck. NY is about to hit the 2nd apron after Brunson re-signs next offseason for like 60 mill/year meaning this offseason and trade deadline very well could be the last chance the Knicks have at improving on this iteration of their squad. You got picks and contracts like Robinson...Knicks should be taking their shot.

[scottyg]

Can we add the bulls to the mix and send Vuc to the Thunder,

Bulls get - Mitchell Robinson
Thunder get - Nikola Vucevic
Knicks get- Kenrich Williams and a couple 2nd rd picks

[Devilanche]

As OKC I prefer Hartstenstein over Mitchell. Even when accounting for contract and number of years.

Just because he can space the floor abit better and is more available I believe.

[brackdan70]

I hate to say it needs a bit more to sign OG. Not many quality free agents and a fair bit of cap space. I could se a deal starting at 35 with raises maybe. 4/160 getting it done. I dont think he would or should sign a flat deal at his age.

[Knickfan1982]

I'm a bit lower than Robinson due to limited offensive game and health concerns.

I'd peg him as similar value as Gafford, which is salary back and a late 1st or no salary back and a couple 2nds.

If you disagree, sell me on how Robinson is worth significantly more than Gafford.

I can't sell you on it but a lot of pundits I read from reputable sources consider him very valuable. Bleacherreport.com has a recent mock draft with trades that featured a trade between the Knicks and the Pelicans where the Knicks sent Mitchell Robinson and the #24 for Larry Nance and the #6.

[Godaddycurse]

I'm a bit lower than Robinson due to limited offensive game and health concerns.

I'd peg him as similar value as Gafford, which is salary back and a late 1st or no salary back and a couple 2nds.

If you disagree, sell me on how Robinson is worth significantly more than Gafford.

I can't sell you on it but a lot of pundits I read from reputable sources consider him very valuable. Bleacherreport.com has a recent mock draft with trades that featured a trade between the Knicks and the Pelicans where the Knicks sent Mitchell Robinson and the #24 for Larry Nance and the #6.

pelicans dont own 6... do you mean 21 lol

[Knickfan1982]

I would pass on Dunn if I was the Knicks. Turn one of your late 24 1st into multiple 2nds and draft some more depth or trade both and free up the guaranteed salary to help with your signings.

No need to waste a first that way. We already have 3 picks from 24-38. We don't need more.

[Colbinii]

I'm a bit lower than Robinson due to limited offensive game and health concerns.

I'd peg him as similar value as Gafford, which is salary back and a late 1st or no salary back and a couple 2nds.

If you disagree, sell me on how Robinson is worth significantly more than Gafford.

I can't sell you on it but a lot of pundits I read from reputable sources consider him very valuable. Bleacherreport.com has a recent mock draft with trades that featured a trade between the Knicks and the Pelicans where the Knicks sent Mitchell Robinson and the #24 for Larry Nance and the #6.

Yeah that makes no sense, but her Bleacherreport published it

[Knickfan1982]

I'm a bit lower than Robinson due to limited offensive game and health concerns.

I'd peg him as similar value as Gafford, which is salary back and a late 1st or no salary back and a couple 2nds.

If you disagree, sell me on how Robinson is worth significantly more than Gafford.

I can't sell you on it but a lot of pundits I read from reputable sources consider him very valuable. Bleacherreport.com has a recent mock draft with trades that featured a trade between the Knicks and the Pelicans where the Knicks sent Mitchell Robinson and the #24 for Larry Nance and the #6.

Yeah that makes no sense, but her Bleacherreport published it

Yea because they aren't credible when compared to faceless people on an internet message board. You know those same guys who act like Julius Randle is an overpaid below average starter despite being named to the all star team in 3 out of the past 4 seasons. That panel of experts is the real deal.

[Helsbyte]

I would pass on Dunn if I was the Knicks. Turn one of your late 24 1st into multiple 2nds and draft some more depth or trade both and free up the guaranteed salary to help with your signings.

No need to waste a first that way. We already have 3 picks from 24-38. We don't need more.

I don't want them to waste a first either. Maybe find a way of kicking either or both picks down the road a year or two.