Trades and Transactions 2025 IV

[Kidknick!]

If someone were to tell me, a huge supporter of the front office that NY would sign Yabusele and Clarkson and STILL have cash for ANOTHER vet minimum contract, I would have never believed you.

Now if those Marcus Smart rumors turn out true.

They are truly the best in the business in terms of bending the cap to their will. Brock Aller the GOAT.

Agreed... was also looking at some vids of Smart while playing with the Wiz. I think he still has some gas left in the tank and would be a good addition. Definitely would provide toughness

I'm not sure how you fit Smart in a bench with Hart, Deuce, Clarkson, and Yabu with spot minutes going to Huk.

You start Deuce. That's the key to everything, from unlocking a better offense to maximizing your roster. Deuce may be the MOST important low paid player in this league.

[Knicksfan1992]

Again I'm going to reiterate my desire for Marcus Smart on the Knicks. Have wanted him for years now. He just feels like a guy who fits the Knicks ethos.

He comes with warts for sure. Tends to shoot more than he should probably. He has some of that "I think I'm better than I actually am" to him offensively. Even though he's great defensively, he's another undersized guy in the rotation.

His defense isn't what it once was but it's still really good and if the Knicks plan on switching more this year he's GREAT at guarding up. He's lost a step guarding the quicker guards and the Knicks still will have some concern with that even with bringing another good perimeter defender like Marcus in but, his pros on that end outweigh the cons for sure still.

He's a really underrated passer. He'd probably come in and be the second or third best passer on the team instantly. One of the reasons the Knicks offense looked so "gummed up" at times is that they are mainly a below average passing team. Smart would instantly help that.

Here's the issue... I think plenty of decent to good teams could offer him a bigger or similar role to us.

Milwaukee, Miami, Lakers, Nuggets, Dallas, Warriors

Would he value being in a big market and competing for a championship or does he think going to maybe start or get a clear 25mpg for one of those teams would get him another pay day next year where there is some more money available?

[Wildcat]

Agreed... was also looking at some vids of Smart while playing with the Wiz. I think he still has some gas left in the tank and would be a good addition. Definitely would provide toughness

I'm not sure how you fit Smart in a bench with Hart, Deuce, Clarkson, and Yabu with spot minutes going to Huk.

You start Deuce. That's the key to everything, from unlocking a better offense to maximizing your roster. Deuce may be the MOST important low paid player in this league.

Even if you start Deuce, where is Smart's minutes are coming from? He's not coming just to provide the Knicks with depth or use him for match ups. He's going to want to play. The problem still exists.

[Fury]

I'm not sure how you fit Smart in a bench with Hart, Deuce, Clarkson, and Yabu with spot minutes going to Huk.

You start Deuce. That's the key to everything, from unlocking a better offense to maximizing your roster. Deuce may be the MOST important low paid player in this league.

Even if you start Deuce, where is Smart's minutes are coming from? He's not coming just to provide the Knicks with depth or use him for match ups. He's going to want to play. The problem still exists.

He is at a different stage of his career. He only played like 20 mpg last year.

[MrDollarBills]

Any news on Smart?

[Jalen Bluntson]

Any news on Smart?

No. I think they will wait a couple weeks before finalizing the roster and the staff. There's the buyout market still unfolding. We have to be hoping something good comes up.

[Wildcat]

You start Deuce. That's the key to everything, from unlocking a better offense to maximizing your roster. Deuce may be the MOST important low paid player in this league.

Even if you start Deuce, where is Smart's minutes are coming from? He's not coming just to provide the Knicks with depth or use him for match ups. He's going to want to play. The problem still exists.

He is at a different stage of his career. He only played like 20 mpg last year.

Okay. Where are those 20 minutes coming from? He's splitting time at the 2 with Deuce (if Deuce is a starter, which I don't see that happening). Where's Clarkson's minutes coming from? Hart is also going to see minutes at 2/3.

And also, this stage in his career? He's 31 years old. Clarkson is older than him and he at minimum is playing 20-24 minutes per. And Smart only played those minutes because he was on a tanking team. Are we forgetting how infamously he was pulled from the game when Smart was shredding the Knicks in their last game? That wasn't a unique situation. Smart is not going to be happy if he's not a sufficient part of the rotation.

[Polk377]

Enough about Smart. What in the hell makes anyone think he is the right fit for this roster? Is it putting out a 6'4 and under roster for the sake of it? His career 38% FG percentage of 32% 3 point percentage? The fact that he becomes a malcontent when he isn't playing an extended role? It is not the right move. Period.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Enough about Smart. What in the hell makes anyone think he is the right fit for this roster? Is it putting out a 6'4 and under roster for the sake of it? His career 38% FG percentage of 32% 3 point percentage? The fact that he becomes a malcontent when he isn't playing an extended role? It is not the right move. Period.

I would rather bring back Shamet and use him in a TON of curls off screens for quick C&S 3pt shots. That's his money shot from all of the highlights I've seen of him over the years. He's a peaky defender. Seems like a smart player. No pun intended.

Marcus plays defense and is a decent passer but, he sucks at everything else.

[Polk377]

Enough about Smart. What in the hell makes anyone think he is the right fit for this roster? Is it putting out a 6'4 and under roster for the sake of it? His career 38% FG percentage of 32% 3 point percentage? The fact that he becomes a malcontent when he isn't playing an extended role? It is not the right move. Period.

I would rather bring back Shamet and use him in a TON of curls off screens for quick C&S 3pt shots. That's his money shot from all of the highlights I've seen of him over the years. He's a peaky defender. Seems like a smart player. No pun intended.

Marcus plays defense and is a decent passer but, he sucks at everything else.

I wouldn’t mind bringing Shamet back at all but let's see what shakes out the next couple of weeks.

[Wildcat]

Enough about Smart. What in the hell makes anyone think he is the right fit for this roster? Is it putting out a 6'4 and under roster for the sake of it? His career 38% FG percentage of 32% 3 point percentage? The fact that he becomes a malcontent when he isn't playing an extended role? It is not the right move. Period.

I would rather bring back Shamet and use him in a TON of curls off screens for quick C&S 3pt shots. That's his money shot from all of the highlights I've seen of him over the years. He's a peaky defender. Seems like a smart player. No pun intended.

Marcus plays defense and is a decent passer but, he sucks at everything else.

This is the way. And I trust Shamlet will be fine with 10-15 minutes. Smart won't be. We also need a 3 point threat off the bench.

[sol537]

Hoping we bring Shamet back for that last vet spot.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Enough about Smart. What in the hell makes anyone think he is the right fit for this roster? Is it putting out a 6'4 and under roster for the sake of it? His career 38% FG percentage of 32% 3 point percentage? The fact that he becomes a malcontent when he isn't playing an extended role? It is not the right move. Period.

I would rather bring back Shamet and use him in a TON of curls off screens for quick C&S 3pt shots. That's his money shot from all of the highlights I've seen of him over the years. He's a peaky defender. Seems like a smart player. No pun intended.

Marcus plays defense and is a decent passer but, he sucks at everything else.

I wouldn’t mind bringing Shamet back at all but let's see what shakes out the next couple of weeks.

Yes. No rush. Weird things happen in the summer. Could get into a trade to help facilitate other teams and get a player we want. The buyout market. The leftover market.

It's tough for me because I don't know what the starting lineup is yet. What the plan is with Kolek maybe getting a bigger shot. I would definitely not be mad if they brought Shamet back at all. Just don't care for the bench PG position as is. Deuce never seized the role. Clarkson is sloppy chuck with the ball from what I recall. Hart runs the offense?

Deuce/Shamet/Clarkson/Hart/Yabusele/Hukporti/Kolek/Pac/??? Is that a bench that sucks? Asking for a friend.

[Polk377]

I would rather bring back Shamet and use him in a TON of curls off screens for quick C&S 3pt shots. That's his money shot from all of the highlights I've seen of him over the years. He's a peaky defender. Seems like a smart player. No pun intended.

Marcus plays defense and is a decent passer but, he sucks at everything else.

I wouldn’t mind bringing Shamet back at all but let's see what shakes out the next couple of weeks.

Yes. No rush. Weird things happen in the summer. Could get into a trade to help facilitate other teams and get a player we want. The buyout market. The leftover market.

It's tough for me because I don't know what the starting lineup is yet. What the plan is with Kolek maybe getting a bigger shot. I would definitely not be mad if they brought Shamet back at all. Just don't care for the bench PG position as is. Deuce never seized the role. Clarkson is sloppy chuck with the ball from what I recall. Hart runs the offense?

Deuce/Shamet/Clarkson/Hart/Yabusele/Hukporti/Kolek/Pac/??? Is that a bench that sucks? Asking for a friend.

I never put it past Leon and Co to jump on an opportunity when it presents itself so you never know. KAT deal came a week before training camp.

I think the bench as constructed right now would be fine. Clarkson and Yabu adding a scoring punch it was lacking will be a big deal. We have to see which one of the 2nd year players will step up for a bigger role.

[Kidknick!]

Isn't the point of firing Thibs to manage minutes in a non draconian manner? Bringing Smart in as PG2 on a vet minimum, is the way. He could play more minutes with Brunson playing off ball in spots. The minutes are there.

[Jalen Bluntson]

I wouldn’t mind bringing Shamet back at all but let's see what shakes out the next couple of weeks.

Yes. No rush. Weird things happen in the summer. Could get into a trade to help facilitate other teams and get a player we want. The buyout market. The leftover market.

It's tough for me because I don't know what the starting lineup is yet. What the plan is with Kolek maybe getting a bigger shot. I would definitely not be mad if they brought Shamet back at all. Just don't care for the bench PG position as is. Deuce never seized the role. Clarkson is sloppy chuck with the ball from what I recall. Hart runs the offense?

Deuce/Shamet/Clarkson/Hart/Yabusele/Hukporti/Kolek/Pac/??? Is that a bench that sucks? Asking for a friend.

I never put it past Leon and Co to jump on an opportunity when it presents itself so you never know. KAT deal came a week before training camp.

I think the bench as constructed right now would be fine. Clarkson and Yabu adding a scoring punch it was lacking will be a big deal. We have to see which one of the 2nd year players will step up for a bigger role.

Hukporti needs to stay healthy and he will play. Watching him in his first start against PHI today, where he got hurt, he was really playing well. I think he's just a matter of staying healthy and we have depth there. Playable depth with upside.

Kolek showed that he can become a rotation guy but, still needs to prove it. He was ignored all season so we didn't get an in depth look honestly. Showed great passing skills though and can run an offense.

I kinda think they may be open to giving these guys real opportunities this season. The other kids have to show something or they will remain at the end of the bench.

Top 9 is established.

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

You can shift the depth around but, that's the pecking order right now. The last vet mini is kind of important because it's all kids after that. Shamet could get the spot. Kolek and Huk have open opportunities that way. I like that they are waiting for now. I would not be mad at adding Shamet for his shooting though. He's a solid bench player for sure.

[F N 11]

Isn’t today the last day for mikal to sign?

[Polk377]

Yes. No rush. Weird things happen in the summer. Could get into a trade to help facilitate other teams and get a player we want. The buyout market. The leftover market.

It's tough for me because I don't know what the starting lineup is yet. What the plan is with Kolek maybe getting a bigger shot. I would definitely not be mad if they brought Shamet back at all. Just don't care for the bench PG position as is. Deuce never seized the role. Clarkson is sloppy chuck with the ball from what I recall. Hart runs the offense?

Deuce/Shamet/Clarkson/Hart/Yabusele/Hukporti/Kolek/Pac/??? Is that a bench that sucks? Asking for a friend.

I never put it past Leon and Co to jump on an opportunity when it presents itself so you never know. KAT deal came a week before training camp.

I think the bench as constructed right now would be fine. Clarkson and Yabu adding a scoring punch it was lacking will be a big deal. We have to see which one of the 2nd year players will step up for a bigger role.

Hukporti needs to stay healthy and he will play. Watching him in his first start against PHI today, where he got hurt, he was really playing well. I think he's just a matter of staying healthy and we have depth there. Playable depth with upside.

Kolek showed that he can become a rotation guy but, still needs to prove it. He was ignored all season so we didn't get an in depth look honestly. Showed great passing skills though and can run an offense.

I kinda think they may be open to giving these guys real opportunities this season. The other kids have to show something or they will remain at the end of the bench.

Top 9 is established.

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

You can shift the depth around but, that's the pecking order right now. The last vet mini is kind of important because it's all kids after that. Shamet could get the spot. Kolek and Huk have open opportunities that way. I like that they are waiting for now. I would not be mad at adding Shamet for his shooting though. He's a solid bench player for sure.

As it stands now, I am going to guess Hart goes back to the bench and Mitch starts next to KAT. If Brown is going to go 10 deep, Deuce-Clarkson-Hart-Yabusele-Hukporti would be the bench.

That's why the Smart talk is nonsense. Unless he is starting, who is he replacing that would be a net positive enough to knock them out of the rotation?

There will always be opportunities for playing time. It is a long season. I know you said kids but Hukporti, Kolek and McCullar are 23,24 and 24. They got them because they were a little more ready to plug and play as opposed to Dadiet who still needs to develop.

[SuperflyKnick]

Yes. No rush. Weird things happen in the summer. Could get into a trade to help facilitate other teams and get a player we want. The buyout market. The leftover market.

It's tough for me because I don't know what the starting lineup is yet. What the plan is with Kolek maybe getting a bigger shot. I would definitely not be mad if they brought Shamet back at all. Just don't care for the bench PG position as is. Deuce never seized the role. Clarkson is sloppy chuck with the ball from what I recall. Hart runs the offense?

Deuce/Shamet/Clarkson/Hart/Yabusele/Hukporti/Kolek/Pac/??? Is that a bench that sucks? Asking for a friend.

I never put it past Leon and Co to jump on an opportunity when it presents itself so you never know. KAT deal came a week before training camp.

I think the bench as constructed right now would be fine. Clarkson and Yabu adding a scoring punch it was lacking will be a big deal. We have to see which one of the 2nd year players will step up for a bigger role.

Hukporti needs to stay healthy and he will play. Watching him in his first start against PHI today, where he got hurt, he was really playing well. I think he's just a matter of staying healthy and we have depth there. Playable depth with upside.

Kolek showed that he can become a rotation guy but, still needs to prove it. He was ignored all season so we didn't get an in depth look honestly. Showed great passing skills though and can run an offense.

I kinda think they may be open to giving these guys real opportunities this season. The other kids have to show something or they will remain at the end of the bench.

Top 9 is established.

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

You can shift the depth around but, that's the pecking order right now. The last vet mini is kind of important because it's all kids after that. Shamet could get the spot. Kolek and Huk have open opportunities that way. I like that they are waiting for now. I would not be mad at adding Shamet for his shooting though. He's a solid bench player for sure.

Wasn’t the whole lineup a failure becuz of hart and you have him starting again ???? He will be coming off the bench playing 20-25 mins

[FrozenEnvelope]

We cannot turn down Smart if he wants to come here for the minimum. He's too good of a player. It would be a bit congested but injuries happen and nothing wrong with having 10 really good players. OKC figured it out so can we!