The 2nd Apron and signing a bought out player

[Jeff Van Gully]

Torrey Craig could've filled a role off the bench. We'll see who becomes available March 1st. They might just sign from within, either converting Matt Ryan's two-way deal into a regular season spot, or the likes of either Chuma Okeke or Kevin McCullar, Jr. to take that last spot. Because if they felt Jacob Toppin was ready, he'd be playing those minutes right now.

chuma signed with philly

[JayTWill]

The Knicks didn't have to deal with the restrictions of the new CBA last year and the best they could do on the buy out market was Shake Milton. I'm not expecting much for the 15th roster spot. Maybe just calling someone up from the G-League team.

[thebuzzardman]

Torrey Craig could've filled a role off the bench. We'll see who becomes available March 1st. They might just sign from within, either converting Matt Ryan's two-way deal into a regular season spot, or the likes of either Chuma Okeke or Kevin McCullar, Jr. to take that last spot. Because if they felt Jacob Toppin was ready, he'd be playing those minutes right now.

chuma signed with philly

Damn. Knicks can't even acquire the scrubs off their own G-League team!

[JayTWill]

Torrey Craig could've filled a role off the bench. We'll see who becomes available March 1st. They might just sign from within, either converting Matt Ryan's two-way deal into a regular season spot, or the likes of either Chuma Okeke or Kevin McCullar, Jr. to take that last spot. Because if they felt Jacob Toppin was ready, he'd be playing those minutes right now.

chuma signed with philly

The last time I checked it was just a 10 day deal. I assumed the Knicks were still an option for him later in the month. I thought the calculations were that the Knicks would have to wait until the end of the month anyway to squeeze a vet in under the 2nd apron but i'm not sure about that.

[8516knicks]

Based on this article, which I'm not sure I entirely agree with, but I agree with a lot of it:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6118739/2025/02/06/knicks-nba-trade-deadline-whats-next/

NY can't sign a waived player who's released from a salary above 12.8 million. And, to stay under the 2nd apron, they can't sign that player until March 1st.

But a player signed on March 1 can play for them in the playoffs and NY has an open roster spot, so . . . it's possible they'll add a vet on March 1st for the playoffs. Not sure who, but it could happen.

Thoughts?

Cam Reddish.

[Luv those Knicks]

Torrey Craig could've filled a role off the bench. We'll see who becomes available March 1st. They might just sign from within, either converting Matt Ryan's two-way deal into a regular season spot, or the likes of either Chuma Okeke or Kevin McCullar, Jr. to take that last spot. Because if they felt Jacob Toppin was ready, he'd be playing those minutes right now.

chuma signed with philly

The last time I checked it was just a 10 day deal. I assumed the Knicks were still an option for him later in the month. I thought the calculations were that the Knicks would have to wait until the end of the month anyway to squeeze a vet in under the 2nd apron but i'm not sure about that.

With just 535 K space under the 2nd apron, I don't think NY has the cash to play with 10 day deals. They have space for 1 vet minimum deal on March 1 and that's it.

I haven't seen Chuma play, but I think the Knicks should aim higher. Aim higher than TJ warren too.

I don't love Cam Reddish either (and I know he was mentioned as a joke), but someone like that who gets bought out from their team is probably the best move.

[Jeff Van Gully]

Torrey Craig could've filled a role off the bench. We'll see who becomes available March 1st. They might just sign from within, either converting Matt Ryan's two-way deal into a regular season spot, or the likes of either Chuma Okeke or Kevin McCullar, Jr. to take that last spot. Because if they felt Jacob Toppin was ready, he'd be playing those minutes right now.

chuma signed with philly

The last time I checked it was just a 10 day deal. I assumed the Knicks were still an option for him later in the month. I thought the calculations were that the Knicks would have to wait until the end of the month anyway to squeeze a vet in under the 2nd apron but i'm not sure about that.

you're correct. it's a 10-day. no guarantee they give him three. but i also wouldn't plan for him to come back. but he could conceivably do a couple of 10-days there and step off.

[spree8]

Dunno why a few of those names would be bought out unless those teams really wanted to save a buck that bad. But if they were, I’d imagine a good amount of them would be scooped up before we could be able to sign them. I’d rather take a chance on Duarte than Chuma or TJ tho.

[JayTWill]

chuma signed with philly

The last time I checked it was just a 10 day deal. I assumed the Knicks were still an option for him later in the month. I thought the calculations were that the Knicks would have to wait until the end of the month anyway to squeeze a vet in under the 2nd apron but i'm not sure about that.

With just 535 K space under the 2nd apron, I don't think NY has the cash to play with 10 day deals. They have space for 1 vet minimum deal on March 1 and that's it.

I haven't seen Chuma play, but I think the Knicks should aim higher. Aim higher than TJ warren too.

I don't love Cam Reddish either (and I know he was mentioned as a joke), but someone like that who gets bought out from their team is probably the best move.

Last post trade deadline bought out/waived players - Examples of players that went to playoff teams

Daniel Theis, C: Bought out by Pacers; signed with Clippers.
Bismack Biyombo, C: Waived by Grizzlies; signed with Thunder.
Spencer Dinwiddie, G: Waived by Raptors; signed with Lakers.
Kyle Lowry, G: Bought out by Hornets; signed with Sixers.
Danilo Gallinari, F: Waived by Pistons; signed with Bucks.
Delon Wright, G: Bought out by Wizards; signed with Heat.
Thaddeus Young, F: Waived by Nets; signed with Suns.
Mike Muscala, F/C: Bought out by Pistons; signed with Thunder.
Shake Milton, G: Bought out by Pistons; signed with Knicks.
Patty Mills, G: Waived by Hawks; signed with Heat.

Not a single player that fits description of the type of player the Knicks lack right now. The best player was probably Lowry last year who the Knicks could have actually used at that time but they could not attract him and the new CBA rules would restrict him from even being an option this year. I'm just trying to temper my expectations. The buy out market is rarely a game changer.

[8516knicks]

chuma signed with philly

The last time I checked it was just a 10 day deal. I assumed the Knicks were still an option for him later in the month. I thought the calculations were that the Knicks would have to wait until the end of the month anyway to squeeze a vet in under the 2nd apron but i'm not sure about that.

With just 535 K space under the 2nd apron, I don't think NY has the cash to play with 10 day deals. They have space for 1 vet minimum deal on March 1 and that's it.

I haven't seen Chuma play, but I think the Knicks should aim higher. Aim higher than TJ warren too.

I don't love Cam Reddish either (and I know he was mentioned as a joke), but someone like that who gets bought out from their team is probably the best move.

It was a joke as you correctly ascertained but also who else is cheap, available, has some talent and size (6'8" ish)? Agree with your take.

[sol537]

Let Wright vs. Warren vs. McCullar vs. Dadiet fight it out for that last spot. It's not like Thibs is going to play more than 8 guys in the playoffs so it's just extra insurance...

[Jeffrey]

The last time I checked it was just a 10 day deal. I assumed the Knicks were still an option for him later in the month. I thought the calculations were that the Knicks would have to wait until the end of the month anyway to squeeze a vet in under the 2nd apron but i'm not sure about that.

With just 535 K space under the 2nd apron, I don't think NY has the cash to play with 10 day deals. They have space for 1 vet minimum deal on March 1 and that's it.

I haven't seen Chuma play, but I think the Knicks should aim higher. Aim higher than TJ warren too.

I don't love Cam Reddish either (and I know he was mentioned as a joke), but someone like that who gets bought out from their team is probably the best move.

Last post trade deadline bought out/waived players - Examples of players that went to playoff teams

Daniel Theis, C: Bought out by Pacers; signed with Clippers.
Bismack Biyombo, C: Waived by Grizzlies; signed with Thunder.
Spencer Dinwiddie, G: Waived by Raptors; signed with Lakers.
Kyle Lowry, G: Bought out by Hornets; signed with Sixers.
Danilo Gallinari, F: Waived by Pistons; signed with Bucks.
Delon Wright, G: Bought out by Wizards; signed with Heat.
Thaddeus Young, F: Waived by Nets; signed with Suns.
Mike Muscala, F/C: Bought out by Pistons; signed with Thunder.
Shake Milton, G: Bought out by Pistons; signed with Knicks.
Patty Mills, G: Waived by Hawks; signed with Heat.

Not a single player that fits description of the type of player the Knicks lack right now. The best player was probably Lowry last year who the Knicks could have actually used at that time but they could not attract him and the new CBA rules would restrict him from even being an option this year. I'm just trying to temper my expectations. The buy out market is rarely a game changer.

Where's Gallinari these days?

[thebuzzardman]

It'll be really annoying when all the unhelpful players sign with other teams and Knicks will be left to choose among really unhelpful players to sit at the end of the bench.

[HarthorneWingo]

All the good players will be gone by then

Good players don't get bought out. All the least biggest scrubs will be gone by then.

Well, the Knicks need one of those, since they insisted on exchanging their 5th center for their 5th PG instead of doing something crazy like adding a wing taller than 6'4"

Chuma or TJ Burks

[JayTWill]

With just 535 K space under the 2nd apron, I don't think NY has the cash to play with 10 day deals. They have space for 1 vet minimum deal on March 1 and that's it.

I haven't seen Chuma play, but I think the Knicks should aim higher. Aim higher than TJ warren too.

I don't love Cam Reddish either (and I know he was mentioned as a joke), but someone like that who gets bought out from their team is probably the best move.

Last post trade deadline bought out/waived players - Examples of players that went to playoff teams

Daniel Theis, C: Bought out by Pacers; signed with Clippers.
Bismack Biyombo, C: Waived by Grizzlies; signed with Thunder.
Spencer Dinwiddie, G: Waived by Raptors; signed with Lakers.
Kyle Lowry, G: Bought out by Hornets; signed with Sixers.
Danilo Gallinari, F: Waived by Pistons; signed with Bucks.
Delon Wright, G: Bought out by Wizards; signed with Heat.
Thaddeus Young, F: Waived by Nets; signed with Suns.
Mike Muscala, F/C: Bought out by Pistons; signed with Thunder.
Shake Milton, G: Bought out by Pistons; signed with Knicks.
Patty Mills, G: Waived by Hawks; signed with Heat.

Not a single player that fits description of the type of player the Knicks lack right now. The best player was probably Lowry last year who the Knicks could have actually used at that time but they could not attract him and the new CBA rules would restrict him from even being an option this year. I'm just trying to temper my expectations. The buy out market is rarely a game changer.

Where's Gallinari these days?

Apparently he is forming a super team down in Puerto Rico

Watch on YouTube

[Im Coming Home]

Sucks Bojan is making so much, I would've loved for him to come back off the bench for us here. He legit kept us in a lot of those early games in Philly with his 3pters..

Hopefully he can come back next offseason on the cheap.

[BowlRips]

Based on this article, which I'm not sure I entirely agree with, but I agree with a lot of it:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6118739/2025/02/06/knicks-nba-trade-deadline-whats-next/

NY can't sign a waived player who's released from a salary above 12.8 million. And, to stay under the 2nd apron, they can't sign that player until March 1st.

But a player signed on March 1 can play for them in the playoffs and NY has an open roster spot, so . . . it's possible they'll add a vet on March 1st for the playoffs. Not sure who, but it could happen.

Thoughts?

I don't think we need a center. We have 3 and a half centers with KAT, Mitch, Huk, and Achiuwa.

My suspicion on Jericho Sims seemed correct. They waited to have a deal in place for Sims before giving Hukporti any minutes over Sims. We didn't trade Mitch and he's about to come back.

Achiuwa has been playing minutes at the 4 and 5, but he's more naturally a 4. Achiuwa has been balling lately. Because of spacing issues, I don't know if Achiuwa will get minutes once Mitch gets going. Achiuwa can play alongside Towns or backing up Towns.

I don't know if you can play Achiuwa next to Mitch or Huk for an extended period of time. Last year you could, but I feel like this season, spacing is more crucial than ever before. Unless a player's defense is so magnificent to overcome a lack of spacing on the offensive end, you really need four average to above-average floor spacers on the floor at all times. Even if Thibs decides to only give KAT and one other guy minutes at Center, I feel like he would trust any of them with minutes if they get injured.

I am starting to think that our rotation would be most balanced if Achiuwa starts alongside KAT and plays the first 6-9 minutes of each half. Then either Hart or OG came off the bench to play the last 15-18 minutes of each half. OG will probably take issue with coming off the bench, so I think it's more likely Hart would sacrifice for the good of the team.

Come playoff time, if everyone is healthy, this is I would do

G: Brunson - 36 / Payne - 12
G: Mikal - 38 / McBride - 10
F: OG - 36 / McBride - 12
F: Achiuwa - 12 / Hart - 36
C: KAT - 33 / Mitch - 15

We really just need a decent wing who can play the 2, 3, or 4.

Mitch or Achiuwa starting is really the only way to get them to the minutes they should get without having Mitch/Achiuwa lineups which I am vehemently opposed to.
I can't see Mitch starting right away so it would be have to be Achiuwa.

But I find it really hard to put Josh on the bench right now. His secondary creation has been massive for the starting lineup. OG to the bench?

Otherwise, if the starting lineup stayed the same, I'd like that Achuiwa comes in for Towns at the 5 min mark. Mitch and Towns come in to start the second quarter. But thats not nearly enough minutes.

[JayTWill]

Sucks Bojan is making so much, I would've loved for him to come back off the bench for us here. He legit kept us in a lot of those early games in Philly with his 3pters..

Hopefully he can come back next offseason on the cheap.

You really love some Bogey if you want him back next season at the age of 36/37 after that first performance and missing the entire season so far. I feel like there is a good chance he is out of the league or retired by next season.

[robillionaire]

Read on Twitter

My wishlist:
Torrey Craig
Chris Boucher
Javonte Green

Bones Hyland fans what went wrong????

[robillionaire]

Sign Seth curry. He’s better than shamet