Shams: Knicks, Guerschon Yabusele agree to deal

[Jalen Bluntson]

I wonder if he can start for us. Hart and Mitch off the bench.

Everyone healthy . . . it starts to feel like we have a legit long rotation

Mitch
Huk
Yabusele
KAT
OGA
Bridges
Hart
Brunson
Clarkson
McBride

That's 10 deep, not counting Kolek who might be ready. The teams that won 60 games last year, and Indiana, who came on strong after a slow start, all had long rotations and rested players. We haven't had this kind of depth in a while.

Huk is still a ? and I have my doubts about Clarkson for now but, we could be a pretty deep team when all is said and done. Top 8 is already better just adding Yabusele. I feel good about the roster right now.

It's a top 8. Huk will occupy the "Jericho Sims" bench chair all season.

I assume we will squeeze another vet mini player in. Hopefully it's another solid player. Shamet level but, more PG/Shot creator who is more efficient than JC would be ok with me.

I am happy with our top 8. Anything extra with the last moves would be awesome.

[BKlutch]

This is a 1 minute interview with Yabu about his dunk on Lebron. This is one sweet kid who morphs into a demon on the court!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7ag3RGiXe0A

[BKlutch]

Huk is still a ? and I have my doubts about Clarkson for now but, we could be a pretty deep team when all is said and done. Top 8 is already better just adding Yabusele. I feel good about the roster right now.

It's a top 8. Huk will occupy the "Jericho Sims" bench chair all season.

I assume we will squeeze another vet mini player in. Hopefully it's another solid player. Shamet level but, more PG/Shot creator who is more efficient than JC would be ok with me.

I am happy with our top 8. Anything extra with the last moves would be awesome.

Likely to sign McCullers.

[cgmw]

I see the Knicks are adding talent but how do these pieces actually fit together? Brunson and KAT are very talented but they aren't the greatest fit. Do any of these new pieces address the issue of the fit between Brunson and KAT on both sides of the court because those are the two players the team is built around?

That's a weird way of seeing things. Other than trading either KAT or Brunson, what exactly are you proposing? What kind of players would "help" with the chemistry between them?

You already have defensive locks in OG and Mitch (and sometimes Mikal). IMO swapping out Thibs and his robotic reliance on iso-dribble drive rim attack should help more than anything.

Last year we had a bunch of small guards, bigs and limited playable wing depth and no natural playmakers/floor generals in the rotation. Somehow we have the same issue once again. When we were playing the Pacers and their pace and ball movement I wasn't thinking to myself that we need someone like Yabusele and Clarkson. I know beggars can't be choosers but did we really need a 4th big and another small guard?

And that Brunson/Mikal/OG/KAT/Mitch had a defensive rating of 122 with opponents shooting 44% from 3 and the Knicks having -5 net rating in the postseason. Anything is better than that original starting lineup but that small sample size wasn't really an indication that they solved the defensive issues. We had trouble pairing KAT and Brunson together defensively. It seems like we added a couple more guys that will be questionable fits on the defensive end with those two also but I admit never really paying attention to Yabusele's defense which is why asked the original question.

On offense Thibs is as basic as it gets but we also lacked sound decision/playmakers with the ball in their hands. Clarkson wasn't really the guy I imagine lifting the group up with many mouths to feed. He can do things with the ball in his hand but he also does it in a very sloppy inefficient way. He has some Jordan Poole in him.

So reading between the lines of your post (because I don't see a straightforward answer) -- you think a playmaking backup PG and another defensive backup Center would help the chemistry issues between KAT and Brunson? And you want it on the Vet Min/MLE? Can you see how that seems unlikely?

[kNicksGmen]

That's a weird way of seeing things. Other than trading either KAT or Brunson, what exactly are you proposing? What kind of players would "help" with the chemistry between them?

You already have defensive locks in OG and Mitch (and sometimes Mikal). IMO swapping out Thibs and his robotic reliance on iso-dribble drive rim attack should help more than anything.

Last year we had a bunch of small guards, bigs and limited playable wing depth and no natural playmakers/floor generals in the rotation. Somehow we have the same issue once again. When we were playing the Pacers and their pace and ball movement I wasn't thinking to myself that we need someone like Yabusele and Clarkson. I know beggars can't be choosers but did we really need a 4th big and another small guard?

And that Brunson/Mikal/OG/KAT/Mitch had a defensive rating of 122 with opponents shooting 44% from 3 and the Knicks having -5 net rating in the postseason. Anything is better than that original starting lineup but that small sample size wasn't really an indication that they solved the defensive issues. We had trouble pairing KAT and Brunson together defensively. It seems like we added a couple more guys that will be questionable fits on the defensive end with those two also but I admit never really paying attention to Yabusele's defense which is why asked the original question.

On offense Thibs is as basic as it gets but we also lacked sound decision/playmakers with the ball in their hands. Clarkson wasn't really the guy I imagine lifting the group up with many mouths to feed. He can do things with the ball in his hand but he also does it in a very sloppy inefficient way. He has some Jordan Poole in him.

So reading between the lines of your post (because I don't see a straightforward answer) -- you think a playmaking backup PG and another defensive backup Center would help the chemistry issues between KAT and Brunson? And you want it on the Vet Min/MLE? Can you see how that seems unlikely?

I think some chemistry issues can be worked on in an offensive system with structure and set plays. Designed played with pre-determined outcomes/options. Not just "read the game" Thibs offense - where JB is going to usually defer to himself taking the shot.

[Jalen Bluntson]

It's a top 8. Huk will occupy the "Jericho Sims" bench chair all season.

I assume we will squeeze another vet mini player in. Hopefully it's another solid player. Shamet level but, more PG/Shot creator who is more efficient than JC would be ok with me.

I am happy with our top 8. Anything extra with the last moves would be awesome.

Likely to sign McCullers.

To a vet mini?

[BKlutch]

I assume we will squeeze another vet mini player in. Hopefully it's another solid player. Shamet level but, more PG/Shot creator who is more efficient than JC would be ok with me.

I am happy with our top 8. Anything extra with the last moves would be awesome.

Likely to sign McCullers.

To a vet mini?

It would be a little less than that as he's going to be a 2nd year player, so it will leave us breathing room to sign a rookie, too. Of course this all would mean Payne, PJ, Shamet, and Precious are gone. I'll miss at least 2 of those guys but I want us to move forward with better talent and depth this year.

[cgmw]

Last year we had a bunch of small guards, bigs and limited playable wing depth and no natural playmakers/floor generals in the rotation. Somehow we have the same issue once again. When we were playing the Pacers and their pace and ball movement I wasn't thinking to myself that we need someone like Yabusele and Clarkson. I know beggars can't be choosers but did we really need a 4th big and another small guard?

And that Brunson/Mikal/OG/KAT/Mitch had a defensive rating of 122 with opponents shooting 44% from 3 and the Knicks having -5 net rating in the postseason. Anything is better than that original starting lineup but that small sample size wasn't really an indication that they solved the defensive issues. We had trouble pairing KAT and Brunson together defensively. It seems like we added a couple more guys that will be questionable fits on the defensive end with those two also but I admit never really paying attention to Yabusele's defense which is why asked the original question.

On offense Thibs is as basic as it gets but we also lacked sound decision/playmakers with the ball in their hands. Clarkson wasn't really the guy I imagine lifting the group up with many mouths to feed. He can do things with the ball in his hand but he also does it in a very sloppy inefficient way. He has some Jordan Poole in him.

So reading between the lines of your post (because I don't see a straightforward answer) -- you think a playmaking backup PG and another defensive backup Center would help the chemistry issues between KAT and Brunson? And you want it on the Vet Min/MLE? Can you see how that seems unlikely?

I think some chemistry issues can be worked on in an offensive system with structure and set plays. Designed played with pre-determined outcomes/options. Not just "read the game" Thibs offense - where JB is going to usually defer to himself taking the shot.

100% agree. I see the concern on adding Clarkson who would have been a Thibs crutch off the bench going 5-out iso, but Leon can't magically use the waiver wire to fix the roster construction issue that his best 2 players don't click. That will be mostly a coaching issue IMO.

[BKlutch]

Here's one minute of Yabusele playing in the Olympics for France. Watch how he blocks a layup by Wagner!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CDTzTHPakGg

Love this kid, he's fearless.

[RHODEY]

Great signing. He brings a different element to the team. Hell it might be worth starting him at the 4, moving Mikal and OG to their natural positions and bringing Hart, Clarkson, Deuce and Mitch off the bench. The spacing for the starting 5 would be excellent and Yabu brings some of the hustle Hart brought to the unit.

I like this idea.

[KnicksGadfly]

Need another forward who can shoot

[Jalen Bluntson]

Likely to sign McCullers.

To a vet mini?

It would be a little less than that as he's going to be a 2nd year player, so it will leave us breathing room to sign a rookie, too. Of course this all would mean Payne, PJ, Shamet, and Precious are gone. I'll miss at least 2 of those guys but I want us to move forward with better talent and depth this year.

So if they go McCullar and Diawara let's say, then that means the top 9 ends with Clarkson. I suppose if none of the younger guys can out play him then they don't belong getting minutes. Earn your way as opposed to not having any shot like recent years. Not sure how the depth chart lines up with the new HC but, the top 9 is pretty clearly defined. Who the backup PG is however is not.

Brunson/Deuce?
Mikal/Clarkson
OG/Hart
KAT/Yabu
Mitch

Kolek/Pac/McC/Diawara/Huk all have to prove themselves. Then we will have the additional two way players. Whoever that is. Maybe Pate/Nnaji and someone else. Kind of sharp drop-off after the top 9 honestly. Kolek/Huk are the only ones who may have a shot at the rotation just due to positional depth.

I would prefer someone better than McC getting that spot. Damn apron rules are trash!

[WargamesX]

Need another forward who can shoot

And a cheap back up center.

[WargamesX]

Surprised we were able to sign players even though we don't have a coach. Makes me wonder if Clarkson and Yabusele already know who the coach will be.

No I think you can pitch this team based on the idea you would be a bench for a team with our starters. It’s a pretty easy sell. Yabu doubled his money, Clarkson is probably making the same or close to it but on a better team.

Both of them can get more money next year and play on a contender this year.

[HarthorneWingo]

Mr. Badunkadunk

[thebuzzardman]

15 man roster.

# of proven players who can play the 3, with the correct height: OG/Mikal.

Great roster construction.

Then again, Yabusele lets the Knicks slide OG to if Mikal goes down, so it's ok, I guess.

Damn. Not enough to complain about.

[BKlutch]

Need another forward who can shoot

And a cheap back up center.

Yabusele is a forward. He can shoot. He also plays backup center.

[WargamesX]

Need another forward who can shoot

And a cheap back up center.

Yabusele is a forward. He can shoot. He also plays backup center.

Let me clarify, a forward who can self create and shoot and a defensive backup center

[thebuzzardman]

And a cheap back up center.

Yabusele is a forward. He can shoot. He also plays backup center.

Let me clarify, a forward who can self create and shoot and a defensive backup center

He's a 4 who can play some 5.

He's not a 3, though the differences between 3 and 4 hardly exist anymore. But by skillset, he's more a 4.

[Guano]

Best offseason every for ya Boi