Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin

[Luv those Knicks]

Wright is a free agent, so you won't be able to use him as a trade chip. Thibs must just want some depth.

But Wright is done. If he had anything left, even defensively, we would have kept him. If you're relying on Delon Wright to do anything for you guys, you're going to be disappointed.

I'm very far from a cap space and CBA trade rules expert, but the same could be said for Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries & Duane Washington Jr last year and NY traded all 3 of those guys to make the KAT trade possible. They were on NY's roster at the end of 2024, but also, free agents.

I have no idea what Thibs has in mind for Delon Wright but him being a trade chip feels like the most logical reason for NY to do this trade. I could be wrong.

[Luv those Knicks]

I think Wright was ok defensively. Big issue was that we needed him to handle the ball with the 2nd unit and he couldn't control it under any sort of pressure. As a defensive change-up I think he could work.

He got leapfrogged here by every guard we have, so moving him for a big was the most obvious call there was. I don't think he's useless. Just useless for us.

I hope you're right.

That's how we feel about Sims. He'd been passed by both Precious and Hukporti and with Mitch coming back, he wasn't needed at all. Not a useless player and I think he might get a bit better with more time. But we didn't need him.

We don't need to play Wright at the point, so maybe he'll work out for us. Time will tell. At the very least, he's probably better than Shamet.

[humanrefutation]

Wright is a free agent, so you won't be able to use him as a trade chip. Thibs must just want some depth.

But Wright is done. If he had anything left, even defensively, we would have kept him. If you're relying on Delon Wright to do anything for you guys, you're going to be disappointed.

I'm very far from a cap space and CBA trade rules expert, but the same could be said for Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries & Duane Washington Jr last year and NY traded all 3 of those guys to make the KAT trade possible. They were on NY's roster at the end of 2024, but also, free agents.

I have no idea what Thibs has in mind for Delon Wright but him being a trade chip feels like the most logical reason for NY to do this trade. I could be wrong.

The Knicks signed-and-traded those dudes.

[-Jragon-]

Are we 100% sure the Wiz didn't decline pbj the extension because they just have too many 4s and just preferred to develop others whereas we don't have enough and maybe he's more NBA ready than our Johnson and can get in some games here?

[tedbrogen]

Beverly last year was much more effective than Wright this year. And Bev had to go play overseas this year. Wright better start learning Chinese.

[tedbrogen]

Wright is a free agent, so you won't be able to use him as a trade chip. Thibs must just want some depth.

But Wright is done. If he had anything left, even defensively, we would have kept him. If you're relying on Delon Wright to do anything for you guys, you're going to be disappointed.

I'm very far from a cap space and CBA trade rules expert, but the same could be said for Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries & Duane Washington Jr last year and NY traded all 3 of those guys to make the KAT trade possible. They were on NY's roster at the end of 2024, but also, free agents.

I have no idea what Thibs has in mind for Delon Wright but him being a trade chip feels like the most logical reason for NY to do this trade. I could be wrong.

The Knicks signed-and-traded those dudes.

Exactly, which they could do with Wright (up to 125% of his salary) if they need his salary in a trade this offseason. They wouldn’t be able to with Sims because some other team would offer him an actual contract.

[-Jragon-]

Let's look at just realism for a second.... PBJ played in 22 NBA games this year... his TS% is ridiculous.. like .640... his 3point % is ridiculous like 53% ... maybe the Wizards just were the Wizards and kinda f'd their evaluation up and he can be a AJG version of a PF.. idk..

[-Jragon-]

Beverly last year was much more effective than Wright this year. And Bev had to go play overseas this year. Wright better start learning Chinese.

We actually need Bev back rn.. find him Horst

[tedbrogen]

Let's look at just realism for a second.... PBJ played in 22 NBA games this year... his TS% is ridiculous.. like .640... his 3point % is ridiculous like 53% ... maybe the Wizards just were the Wizards and kinda f'd their evaluation up and he can be a AJG version of a PF.. idk..

He’s taken a total of 34 FGA of which 22 were 3PA, and has four total free throws shot this season. Small sample size city.

He’s only been able to get on the floor for a total of about 97 minutes for a team that completely lacks talent. Not a good sign.

He’s still probably better than Rollins but Sims is better than PBJ so I doubt we’ll see much of PBJ unless they punt another game like they did at OKC and then he’ll get 30+ minutes.

[humanrefutation]

I'm very far from a cap space and CBA trade rules expert, but the same could be said for Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries & Duane Washington Jr last year and NY traded all 3 of those guys to make the KAT trade possible. They were on NY's roster at the end of 2024, but also, free agents.

I have no idea what Thibs has in mind for Delon Wright but him being a trade chip feels like the most logical reason for NY to do this trade. I could be wrong.

The Knicks signed-and-traded those dudes.

Exactly, which they could do with Wright (up to 125% of his salary) if they need his salary in a trade this offseason. They wouldn’t be able to with Sims because some other team would offer him an actual contract.

Sure, but my point is that those dudes weren't free agents that got traded. They were signed by the Knicks to be traded, which required their consent. Wright could do that too, but only if he wants to sign there just to be traded to another destination, and only if the receiving team wants him. He could just tell them **** off and sign somewhere else where he'd rather play.

[Luv those Knicks]

I'm very far from a cap space and CBA trade rules expert, but the same could be said for Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries & Duane Washington Jr last year and NY traded all 3 of those guys to make the KAT trade possible. They were on NY's roster at the end of 2024, but also, free agents.

I have no idea what Thibs has in mind for Delon Wright but him being a trade chip feels like the most logical reason for NY to do this trade. I could be wrong.

The Knicks signed-and-traded those dudes.

Exactly, which they could do with Wright (up to 125% of his salary) if they need his salary in a trade this offseason. They wouldn’t be able to with Sims because some other team would offer him an actual contract.

I find all the rules kind of confusing, but this article implies that NY, over the first apron, would not have been able to sign and trade those 3 players if they weren't on their roster when the year ended. They can re-sign and trade their own players. They can't just sign anybody and trade them to make a trade work. The Duane Washington part of the trade was interesting, because he was playing in Europe at the time. He had to leave his Euro team for a few days and sign a contract with NY to make the trade work.

I also gather that Adam Silver was peeved that NY paid those 3 guys 1 dollar over the minimum, to circumvent a rule, and they sent 7 million to Charlotte, basically covering the guaranteed salaries. Charlotte also got 3 2nd rounders, so it was a good deal for them.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2024/10/knicks-karl-anthony-towns-trade-fiba-euroleague

As far as the NBA is concerned, the Knicks still held Washington’s rights because he played for the team on a two-way deal last season and the league doesn’t acknowledge non-NBA contracts when considering a player’s free agency status. So he was still eligible to be part of a sign-and-trade deal.

All I'm really saying is that NY might not have added Wright because they believe in him. They might have added him to use as a trade chip this summer. But also, maybe Thibs likes him. Time will tell.

Maybe he'll get Shamet's minutes. Shamet isn't very good.

[FrieAaron]

Obviously, unless they were that confident Middleton couldn't make it through the rest of the season, the biggest upside to this trade is getting us under the apron. If we had moved on from Khris in the offseason could we have aggregated salaries after that or would it have been too late?

[tedbrogen]

The Knicks signed-and-traded those dudes.

Exactly, which they could do with Wright (up to 125% of his salary) if they need his salary in a trade this offseason. They wouldn’t be able to with Sims because some other team would offer him an actual contract.

Sure, but my point is that those dudes weren't free agents that got traded. They were signed by the Knicks to be traded, which required their consent. Wright could do that too, but only if he wants to sign there just to be traded to another destination, and only if the receiving team wants him. He could just tell them **** off and sign somewhere else where he'd rather play.

Wright’s other option will be the Shanghai Sharks. I think he’ll be okay with be signed and traded wherever.

[tedbrogen]

Obviously, unless they were that confident Middleton couldn't make it through the rest of the season, the biggest upside to this trade is getting us under the apron. If we had moved on from Khris in the offseason could we have aggregated salaries after that or would it have been too late?

They would have been stuck until after the new league year started and free agency opened, I believe. Then they would have had to let Bobby walk and renounce Brook’s rights (and salary slot) to duck back under the second apron (but not opening up anything more than a partial taxpayer MLE to sign free agents) to open up aggregating salaries in trades.

Their 2032 first would be frozen and only unfrozen after they stayed under the apron the next three seasons. If they went back over the second apron again, that 2032 pick goes to the end of the first round. Going over the apron again would start freezing other firsts.

This is on top of a huge cash savings for the owners which hopefully means they are willing to still stay in the tax in future years to field a competitive team as long as they are under the second apron.

I think second apron teams also can’t trade cash in deals so it means they couldn’t buy any second round picks in this upcoming draft but now they can (someone know if this is correct?)

[-Jragon-]

I have to say... love what Middleton did for us by turning into an all star player as a throw in player in the Brandon's swap.. he had great games and gave us special memories in a some playoff runs.

That being said, I've never wanted a player to be traded for so long before and it feels good that it finally happened and Doc can't throw him in mid 3rd anymore .. we're much closer to being done with 90s ball now .. hopefully Kuzma loves Dame and Giannis and fits right in playing off of them in the extra space they provide as he cuts, moves, hustles and sets back screens.

It's a great day to be alive right now. I'll never forget where I was sitting when I learned that KM was traded. I'm very happy for this day. Thank you Horst; job not finished.. clear out Pat and 1 more slow dude.

[-Jragon-]

Notes about Kuzma
Just had 31 the other day vs MN
Thrives off of team ball, cuts, screens, ball movement and plays -- he fits in
Thereby doesn't rely on hero or iso ball
Loves fast breaks and can run
Not perfect on D but you'll see he's much more aware and switched on than km.. think a taller GTJ on D, can be pesky, can get beat gambling or leaning the wrong way
Not a traffic cone though like we're used to so he'll look great to us
The more I watch, the more it feels like 29 yr old Tobias Harris is coming back.. Tobes guys are going to love him and want his tattooed babies.. ok I'm done lol

[-Jragon-]

A couple more..
In this video it appears as tho Kuz will instantly be our best screen and roll guy, very creative on his angles to get open and great hands to catch along with gyro step or physical finishes.. he's also not afraid to dunk in traffic.. 90% of the time he's attacking with off ball cuts -- this will work great for us.

Watch on YouTube

[ANTETOKOUNBROS]

We should have got Johnny Davis in the deal at least

[-Jragon-]

Downside is he's not very efficient. Takes too many 3s per game considering his %, doesn't get to the line enough -- too many fade aways considering how good he is playing downhill.. if we can coach the inefficiency stuff out, he has all the tools to play downhill, avoid the fadeaway and contested 3, slash for dunks, and shoot open catch/shoot 3s. Honestly, most of his 3 point attempts should go to Dame and he should be primarily our screen and roll guy with Dame. But that being said, his catch and shoot 3 is much better than his pull up.. he's had several seasons shooting 35%+ on catch and shoot. Idk, do better bro.. keep it simple and take what's easy based on the space and advantageous positions we get you the ball in. Don't play sloppy and let's get this jewelry again.

[Wonka]

Are we 100% sure the Wiz didn't decline pbj the extension because they just have too many 4s and just preferred to develop others whereas we don't have enough and maybe he's more NBA ready than our Johnson and can get in some games here?

Yes. It’s been three seasons. He can’t get off the bench for bad teams. He’s not good at basketball lol.