Update: Mitch out for season

[RHODEY]

I say make a small move... maybe get Drummond...we weren't going all the way anyway. Now we get to experiment with a more offensive scheme which could unlock other players on the squad.

[Bob Ross]

This sucks. Mitch was huge this year

[moocow007]

Best available free agent right now that could fill in as a shot blocker, rebounder and lob guy is probably Wenyen Gabriel. Hes a little in the short side (6’9”-ish) but his 7’2” wingspan, terrific athleticism, motor and physicality can make up for it. Lakers fans loved him for his all out play. Rather have him that stone hands Nerlens.

[dakomish23]

From the GB.

According to the contract, which was reviewed by The Athletic, the final three years of the deal are no longer guaranteed after Williamson was able to only play in 29 games last season. By missing more than 22 games last season, Williamson triggered a clause that turned the salary he is owed for the 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons from guaranteed to non-guaranteed.

That means the Pelicans have the contractual power to waive Williamson after the 2024-25 season with no financial ramifications — though rival team executives believe that would only happen in extreme circumstances. And if Williamson misses significant time this season, it could cut into his guaranteed salary for 2024-25.

Four executives from other NBA teams, who spoke on condition of anonymity so they could discuss Williamson’s arrangement, said it was unlikely that the Pelicans would waive him unless the situation grew significantly worse. The contract terms give the team flexibility and a safety net, however, and could make it easier to trade Williamson because potential partners would have escape hatches that could lower the risk of adding his salary to their ledger.

Source: Mike Vorkunov @ The Athletic

https://theathletic.com/4913537/2023/12/21/zion-williamson-contract-pelicans-nba/

Not trading this Version of Julius For Zion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hard pass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zion at the 5 b/c Mitch possibility which would be awful defensively but incredible offensively. Just throwing stuff out there

[moocow007]

From the GB.



https://theathletic.com/4913537/2023/12/21/zion-williamson-contract-pelicans-nba/

Not trading this Version of Julius For Zion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hard pass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zion at the 5 b/c Mitch possibility which would be awful defensively but incredible offensively. Just throwing stuff out there

Grimes and a 1st for Zion? Deal

[Capn'O]

Best available free agent right now that could fill in as a shot blocker, rebounder and lob guy is probably Wenyen Gabriel. Hes a little in the short side (6’9”-ish) but his 7’2” wingspan, terrific athleticism, motor and physicality can make up for it. Lakers fans loved him for his all out play. Rather have him that stone hands Nerlens.

That's a great look, Moo. A great 15 mpg stopgap.

[moocow007]

Knicks have that juicy Detroit 2nd rounder to dangle for a real backup center. Part of me actually thinks Hartenstein is becoming a better fit for the starting lineup than Mitch was anyway. Even if it does lower our defensive ceiling. Even though I like Sims/Taj for the regular season, IHart's propensity to pick up fouls means we're going to need to get a real reliable backup option by the playoffs IMO. Some options I think below:

Olynyk - A great skilled backup big. Has deep playoff experience and provides another shooting option at a position we weren't expecting to have it. Also an underrated great playmaker. Part of the reason Thibs likes having Hartenstein in the 2nd unit is because of his passing and Olynyk can slot right in in that sense. Will cost something to get and the cap machinations would be tricky. He's not a Thibs guy on defense and probably locks us in to an average at best defense with Thibs scheme, but our offense could become very elite with another stretch option who can make some passes as well.

Drummond - Ugh just something about Drummond has always rubbed me the wrong way. Just seems uncompetitive and a guy who doesn't give a chit. However, he's a pretty like for like swap for Mitch with his absolutely elite rebounding. Maybe a return home could spark something in him. He's also a sneaky good passer. Wouldn't love it but would understand it.

Plumlee - So Plumlee had been played well for the Clippers before, ironically, he got injured vs. the Knicks. Now all of a sudden they've found a nice center rotation with Zubac and Theis. Since they are asset starved, they may bite at getting a couple 2nds for a guy like Plumlee. He's not a traditional rim protecting big, but he's also not awful at it according to his NBA.com player tracking stats. As of last year, he holds opponents to -2.0% their normal average within 6 feet. Compared to Olynyk, who allows players to score 4.8% above their average within 6 feet. Plumlee offensively is similar to Hartenstein. Good passer but not really much of a jumper threat. His FT shootimg waxes and wanes and is very unconventional but he's always been an efficient scorer around the rim. He's probably the best blend of offense and defense, but is coming off of a knee injury at 33 years old...

Gafford - This might be the priciest acquisition given his age and production. However, it could be the one that helps keep our defense in tact the best. Gafford is a good solid rim protector who is also an awesome offensive rebounder. He's basically middle class Mitch who actually makes some of his free throws. The Knicks could actually get away with moving Hartenstein back with the 2nd unit if they get Gafford. Downside is he might actually take a protected 1st to get given his contract situation. Washington simply has no reason to just give away a competent 25 year old center who isn't blocking anyone significant for playing time unless you give them a reason to. You could also make the argument that the Knicks shouldn't give up real assets for a position that should be fine going into next season.

There's probably other cheaper options but these seem to make the most sense of the high end ones. I'd rank them taking cost into effect:

Olynyk
Gafford
Drummond
Plumlee

Olynyk I would go for. Pass on the rest. Drummonds problem is that he squats in the paint area looking for rebounds at the expense of defense, ball movement and flow. Whatever rebounds he manages to help win will be offset by everything else he does that’s helps losing. When Drummond was in his prime you can live with the negatives cause his positives outweighed the negatives. But at this point in his career the only thing that is outweighing his negatives is his physical weight.

[dakomish23]

Best available free agent right now that could fill in as a shot blocker, rebounder and lob guy is probably Wenyen Gabriel. Hes a little in the short side (6’9”-ish) but his 7’2” wingspan, terrific athleticism, motor and physicality can make up for it. Lakers fans loved him for his all out play. Rather have him that stone hands Nerlens.

That's a great look, Moo. A great 15 mpg stopgap.

Let's do it. I liked him from his KY days but it seems tough for him to stick with a team. Just give him a short stint, if it doesn't work, oil up Taj's knees

[Spree2Houston]

We’ll still win enough games to get into the playoffs and by then Mitch should be returning. We should see him back by then.

[3toheadmelo]

Please God no

We need a 1 year contract, we need a guy who is athletic, who can protect the rim. of all the options Wiseman has the most upside. He is like a coordinated Kwame Brown.
In his last several years Kwame emerged as an effective center. Wiseman could be on the precipice

I would say that's a good point but since melo championed him I think the ship has sailed for any redemption arc. It's gone.

Mf you and sham just ended Mitch’s career

[rajajackal]

We’ll still win enough games to get into the playoffs and by then Mitch should be returning. We’ll probably see him back by then.

that would be really cool. i hope the outlook here is based only on the regular season

[j4remi]

Mason Plumlee's almost back for LA. Maybe we could get him for a cheap back-up.

[HarthorneWingo]

Sign a center
Use DPE and 2nd rounders for Gallinari? Can you do that or does it have to be one for one?

Gallinari can't rebound.

[dakomish23]

Capella might be available at the deadline. Expires in 25.

Gafford on WAS might be available but his contract expires in 26.

Boucher expires in 25.

Some rumors around Stewart but who knows what DET is doing. Gotta pay him this summer.

[nykballa2k4]

Read on Twitter

Mitch is in a dark place right now. My heart breaks for the kid.

Such a good dude.
for him
maybe he will be back for playoffs and make this all a part of his great story

[god shammgod]

Read on Twitter

well......damn

[moocow007]

They should look at Valanciunas and use this as an opportunity to move on from Robinson.

He’s too injury prone primarily with his feet and ankles because they are too small in proportion to his body. Hence his clumsiness always falling and risking more injury. He’s missed a lot of games and it won’t get better as he gets older. Best to move on to a better fit at center - someone who can spread the floor.

Would love to explore a trade for Valanciunas.

[G_K_F]

He has a good heart and I wish him no ill will.

But he just can’t be relied upon in a long term basis. Maybe as a backup I. The future but not as an NBA starter. I hope the team is smart enough to look elsewhere this summer.

[HopelessKnick]

He has a good heart and I wish him no ill will.

But he just can’t be relied upon in a long term basis. Maybe as a backup I. The future but not as an NBA starter. I hope the team is smart enough to look elsewhere this summer.

Yeah I agree....he should be used in a limited role....like 20minutes per night to preserve his body.....he is just very injury prone unfortunately.

[nykballa2k4]

He has a good heart and I wish him no ill will.

But he just can’t be relied upon in a long term basis. Maybe as a backup I. The future but not as an NBA starter. I hope the team is smart enough to look elsewhere this summer.

If we would have let him sit early on instead of playing through the injury he probably would have avoided surgery...