College/Draft #6 - NCAA Finals + Draft Leadup W/ Knicks In The Top Seed!!!

[Worst_to_First]

Hypothetical:

If the basketball gods propositioned you with the ability to only choose between one of two scenarios, which would you choose?

SCENARIO ONE:
Knicks win the lottery but do not sign Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving during free agency.

SCENARIO TWO:
Knicks land a pick during the lottery drawing in the 2-5 range but end up signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency.

Go!

Zion.

Then use our cap space to take on unwanted expiring contracts of other teams in exchange for late 1st round or 2nd round picks in which our FO has so far done a good job in terms of finding talent.

We go with our young guys and rev up the tank again to be in a position to get one of the 2020 studs.

At the end of the year we evaluate if the 2017 draft guys like DSJ, Frank and Dotson are all worth keeping and giving them new contacts. If that is the case then at the end of the 2019-20 season we would have to start giving out contracts to FAs that would be complementary to our core before the post-rookie contracts of DSJ, Frank and/or Dot start to kick in.

[TBri1974]

No cap


F: Kevin Durant 7’0”
F: Bol Bol 7’3”
C: Mitchell Robinson 7’1”

Would be absolutely dynamic

ugh... Durant should not be treated as a small forward if he signs here. That's how you end up like the Lebron Lakers. We need to start planning immediately for his post-prime years where he'll be most useful as a rim protecting 5 against small units and a stretch 4 to start games off.

Kyrie - DSJ
Dotson - Lance Stephenson - Trier
Culver - Knox
KD - Vonleh - Vince Carter
Mitch - DAJ

Would be an elite off-season

Ideally, I'd like to move DSJ/Knox duo for a better piece. Ideal world would be getting Sabonis for that duo + Trier, but I doubt they'd do it.

Would DSJ, Knox, Trier & one of the Maverick picks for Sabonis be enough? Because that frontcourt would be something special.

No way we have money to sign Vonleh and DAJ if we get Kyrie and Mitch. Maybe one of them takes the room exception, but not both.

I love Sabonis and think he fits perfectly next to Mitch, but I don't see giving up all three of those guys for him and a pick. I would do DSJ and one of those guys or DSJ and a pick.
I love Sabonis

[Greenie]

I didn't say they would trade for stars. I was thinking if they feel the need for some more "win now ready" role players along the way. I get the hundred ways it could go wrong, but there are trades to be made in that scenario that make the team better without effectively gutting the team of youth, as all the youth can't and won't be maintained over the next 4 years anyway.
In effect, it's asking the Knicks management to be competent. Which is a pretty big ask.

I don’t think you understand this at all Buzz.

All of you are in for a rude awakening even if KD comes here. Role players don’t win rings. Stars do.

Right now KD is on team with 3 of them not counting himself. THAT’S A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.

KD and even with Kyrie are not pulling role players. That’s called early playoff exits and that’s not what signing KD should signal.

Fuq all this development mess. If KD comes, you are now on HIS timeline. He’ll be 31 in September.

I never said I thought that KD & Kyrie & this team win rings. Some people might think that team competes for rings. I don't. I think it would be a playoff team though, even in the East, even with the Mighty Nets to compete with.

Stars do win games for teams in the NBA though, particularly those who can create for themselves and others (especially the 2nd) and that describes KD & Kyrie (assuming they are a pair)

I'd agree there's an absolute risk, if you will, of the team trying too hard to go all in during their tenure. My hope is that they balance going "in" with maintaining enough role playing youth, that the quality of the role playing youth takes an upturn over the 4 year run, due to experience and weeding out the low quality, and then after the 4 year run is over, what's left is a pretty good collection of young role players, who are a borderline playoff team, and have two max slots for stars, again.

What is the point of signing KD if you’re not aiming for rings?

[thebuzzardman]

I don’t think you understand this at all Buzz.

All of you are in for a rude awakening even if KD comes here. Role players don’t win rings. Stars do.

Right now KD is on team with 3 of them not counting himself. THAT’S A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.

KD and even with Kyrie are not pulling role players. That’s called early playoff exits and that’s not what signing KD should signal.

Fuq all this development mess. If KD comes, you are now on HIS timeline. He’ll be 31 in September.

I never said I thought that KD & Kyrie & this team win rings. Some people might think that team competes for rings. I don't. I think it would be a playoff team though, even in the East, even with the Mighty Nets to compete with.

Stars do win games for teams in the NBA though, particularly those who can create for themselves and others (especially the 2nd) and that describes KD & Kyrie (assuming they are a pair)

I'd agree there's an absolute risk, if you will, of the team trying too hard to go all in during their tenure. My hope is that they balance going "in" with maintaining enough role playing youth, that the quality of the role playing youth takes an upturn over the 4 year run, due to experience and weeding out the low quality, and then after the 4 year run is over, what's left is a pretty good collection of young role players, who are a borderline playoff team, and have two max slots for stars, again.

What is the point of signing KD if you’re not aiming for rings?

You can aim for rings without gutting the team. And I'd rather they be a playoff team and be able to be set for 4 more years of success afterwards.
I mean, if they really appear that close, sure, push the assets into the middle of the table. I'd rather see an initial incremental move(s) first.
Only one team wins the championship. Multiple teams can screw up their future at once. I'd be content with the Knicks being a playoff team for 4 years and continuing to run a good organization, if that indeed is what is happening - too soon to know yet.

[HEZI]

Sleeper pick

Watch on YouTube

Seems like he's been lost in the convo but he could become one of the best players in this draft. Somebody that could get to that Jamal Murray level and provide scoring impact.


When we look back at the 2016 draft, it was considered weak but it's interesting to see how many really good NBA players have emerged from that draft class. 2016 is looking like an underrated year and this year might be the same. Look at the guys drafted in 2016


Ben Simmons
Brandon Ingram
Jaylen Brown
Buddy Hield
Jamal Murray
Pascal Siakam
Domantas Sabonis
Caris Levert


Most of those guys have provided huge impact to their playoff teams but a couple years ago it would have never been considered a good draft class. Some other really solid bench pieces were in that class as well, guys like Malik Beasley, Deandre Bembry, Taurean Prince, Ivica Zubac, Cheikh Diallo, etc.


I think Coby can definitely get to that Jamal Murray level. Murray is probably one of the more underrated players in the league, but he's been putting the league on notice this year that's for sure.

[robillionaire]

Sleeper pick

Watch on YouTube

Seems like he's been lost in the convo but he could become one of the best players in this draft. Somebody that could get to that Jamal Murray level and provide scoring impact.


When we look back at the 2016 draft, it was considered weak but it's interesting to see how many really good NBA players have emerged from that draft class. 2016 is looking like an underrated year and this year might be the same. Look at the guys drafted in 2016


Ben Simmons
Brandon Ingram
Jaylen Brown
Buddy Hield
Jamal Murray
Pascal Siakam
Domantas Sabonis
Caris Levert


Most of those guys have provided huge impact to their playoff teams but a couple years ago it would have never been considered a good draft class. Some other really solid bench pieces were in that class as well, guys like Malik Beasley, Deandre Bembry, Taurean Prince, Ivica Zubac, Cheikh Diallo, etc.


I think Coby can definitely get to that Jamal Murray level. Murray is probably one of the more underrated players in the league, but he's been putting the league on notice this year that's for sure.

I've seen some mocks recently have him as high as 4th

[Fat]

Sleeper pick

Watch on YouTube

Seems like he's been lost in the convo but he could become one of the best players in this draft. Somebody that could get to that Jamal Murray level and provide scoring impact.


When we look back at the 2016 draft, it was considered weak but it's interesting to see how many really good NBA players have emerged from that draft class. 2016 is looking like an underrated year and this year might be the same. Look at the guys drafted in 2016


Ben Simmons
Brandon Ingram
Jaylen Brown
Buddy Hield
Jamal Murray
Pascal Siakam
Domantas Sabonis
Caris Levert


Most of those guys have provided huge impact to their playoff teams but a couple years ago it would have never been considered a good draft class. Some other really solid bench pieces were in that class as well, guys like Malik Beasley, Deandre Bembry, Taurean Prince, Ivica Zubac, Cheikh Diallo, etc.


I think Coby can definitely get to that Jamal Murray level. Murray is probably one of the more underrated players in the league, but he's been putting the league on notice this year that's for sure.

He was one of my favorites to watch I like the Jamal Murray comparison. I wouldn’t take him top 5 though garland is a better prospect to me dude posses elite dribbling/quickness to go along with deep shooting range.

Some on the Bulls board seems to like Coby as well

[HEZI]

Sleeper pick

Watch on YouTube

Seems like he's been lost in the convo but he could become one of the best players in this draft. Somebody that could get to that Jamal Murray level and provide scoring impact.


When we look back at the 2016 draft, it was considered weak but it's interesting to see how many really good NBA players have emerged from that draft class. 2016 is looking like an underrated year and this year might be the same. Look at the guys drafted in 2016


Ben Simmons
Brandon Ingram
Jaylen Brown
Buddy Hield
Jamal Murray
Pascal Siakam
Domantas Sabonis
Caris Levert


Most of those guys have provided huge impact to their playoff teams but a couple years ago it would have never been considered a good draft class. Some other really solid bench pieces were in that class as well, guys like Malik Beasley, Deandre Bembry, Taurean Prince, Ivica Zubac, Cheikh Diallo, etc.


I think Coby can definitely get to that Jamal Murray level. Murray is probably one of the more underrated players in the league, but he's been putting the league on notice this year that's for sure.

I've seen some mocks recently have him as high as 4th

Doubt he goes that high but there's a case to be made

[HEZI]

Sleeper pick

Watch on YouTube

Seems like he's been lost in the convo but he could become one of the best players in this draft. Somebody that could get to that Jamal Murray level and provide scoring impact.


When we look back at the 2016 draft, it was considered weak but it's interesting to see how many really good NBA players have emerged from that draft class. 2016 is looking like an underrated year and this year might be the same. Look at the guys drafted in 2016


Ben Simmons
Brandon Ingram
Jaylen Brown
Buddy Hield
Jamal Murray
Pascal Siakam
Domantas Sabonis
Caris Levert


Most of those guys have provided huge impact to their playoff teams but a couple years ago it would have never been considered a good draft class. Some other really solid bench pieces were in that class as well, guys like Malik Beasley, Deandre Bembry, Taurean Prince, Ivica Zubac, Cheikh Diallo, etc.


I think Coby can definitely get to that Jamal Murray level. Murray is probably one of the more underrated players in the league, but he's been putting the league on notice this year that's for sure.

He was one of my favorites to watch I like the Jamal Murray comparison. I wouldn’t take him top 5 though garland is a better prospect to me dude posses elite dribbling/quickness to go along with deep shooting range.

Some on the Bulls board seems to like Coby as well

Yeah no doubt Garland has the higher potential and has shown better abilities with the ball but Coby could be a guy that you can make a case for being a top 5 guy

[awy]

coby white shot 42.5% from nba range 3s. definitely a top 10 guy and probably better in years 1-3 than morant. he just has questions about his decisionmaking, so hard to project as the lead guard.

[Zenzibar]

[youtube][/youtube]

I never said I thought that KD & Kyrie & this team win rings. Some people might think that team competes for rings. I don't. I think it would be a playoff team though, even in the East, even with the Mighty Nets to compete with.

Stars do win games for teams in the NBA though, particularly those who can create for themselves and others (especially the 2nd) and that describes KD & Kyrie (assuming they are a pair)

I'd agree there's an absolute risk, if you will, of the team trying too hard to go all in during their tenure. My hope is that they balance going "in" with maintaining enough role playing youth, that the quality of the role playing youth takes an upturn over the 4 year run, due to experience and weeding out the low quality, and then after the 4 year run is over, what's left is a pretty good collection of young role players, who are a borderline playoff team, and have two max slots for stars, again.

What is the point of signing KD if you’re not aiming for rings?

You can aim for rings without gutting the team. And I'd rather they be a playoff team and be able to be set for 4 more years of success afterwards.
I mean, if they really appear that close, sure, push the assets into the middle of the table. I'd rather see an initial incremental move(s) first.
Only one team wins the championship. Multiple teams can screw up their future at once. I'd be content with the Knicks being a playoff team for 4 years and continuing to run a good organization, if that indeed is what is happening - too soon to know yet.

Great post. "Only one team wins the championship. Multiple teams can screw up their future at once." Facts

[TheBigBoss]

If we get the number 2 pick, I would try to trade down (hopefully ATL who has two lotto picks I believe), walk away with Garland or White and Bol Bol while dumping lance Thomas' contract would be a pretty successful draft I think.

[Lord Commander]

12 days until I lose my $hit because we didn't get the #1.

[JustCame]

12 days until I lose my $hit because we didn't get the #1.

Maybe you should lower your expectations. 86% of the time we don't get # 1.

[Zenzibar]

What ever happens on draft night, it's all pre-destined.

[Fat]

If we get the number 2 pick, I would try to trade down (hopefully ATL who has two lotto picks I believe), walk away with Garland or White and Bol Bol while dumping lance Thomas' contract would be a pretty successful draft I think.

I can only see them making their two lotto picks available for the #1 pick unless their is somebody they really want at #2. they already have trae young so morant doesn’t make sense. That leaves you left with Rj barret.

But if that opportunity did present itself for us I’m right there with you

[Greenie]

I never said I thought that KD & Kyrie & this team win rings. Some people might think that team competes for rings. I don't. I think it would be a playoff team though, even in the East, even with the Mighty Nets to compete with.

Stars do win games for teams in the NBA though, particularly those who can create for themselves and others (especially the 2nd) and that describes KD & Kyrie (assuming they are a pair)

I'd agree there's an absolute risk, if you will, of the team trying too hard to go all in during their tenure. My hope is that they balance going "in" with maintaining enough role playing youth, that the quality of the role playing youth takes an upturn over the 4 year run, due to experience and weeding out the low quality, and then after the 4 year run is over, what's left is a pretty good collection of young role players, who are a borderline playoff team, and have two max slots for stars, again.

What is the point of signing KD if you’re not aiming for rings?

You can aim for rings without gutting the team. And I'd rather they be a playoff team and be able to be set for 4 more years of success afterwards.
I mean, if they really appear that close, sure, push the assets into the middle of the table. I'd rather see an initial incremental move(s) first.
Only one team wins the championship. Multiple teams can screw up their future at once. I'd be content with the Knicks being a playoff team for 4 years and continuing to run a good organization, if that indeed is what is happening - too soon to know yet.

This is nonsense.

Signing KD means you’re going all in. If not, all you’re essentially doing is wasting time. His and Ours. You can’t half ass do things. That’s how you ended up in the Melo situation. You bring back Melo but fail to build a team around him. Why bring him the fuq back then?

You want to have your cake and eat it too.

Not how this works.

Either you’re rebuilding OR you’re trying to contend. There is no in between. Phil played this game. We got no where except collecting bad contracts and poor draft positions.

Playing the damn middle got you Timmy.
It got you Frank
It got you Knox

If you bring in KD you CANNOT play the middle. Doing so will show me more than anything what this front office is about. Names to keep asses in seats.

[thebuzzardman]

What is the point of signing KD if you’re not aiming for rings?

You can aim for rings without gutting the team. And I'd rather they be a playoff team and be able to be set for 4 more years of success afterwards.
I mean, if they really appear that close, sure, push the assets into the middle of the table. I'd rather see an initial incremental move(s) first.
Only one team wins the championship. Multiple teams can screw up their future at once. I'd be content with the Knicks being a playoff team for 4 years and continuing to run a good organization, if that indeed is what is happening - too soon to know yet.

This is nonsense.

Signing KD means you’re going all in. If not, all you’re essentially doing is wasting time. His and Ours. You can’t half ass do things. That’s how you ended up in the Melo situation. You bring back Melo but fail to build a team around him. Why bring him the fuq back then?

You want to have your cake and eat it too.

Not how this works.

Either you’re rebuilding OR you’re trying to contend. There is no in between. Phil played this game. We got no where except collecting bad contracts and poor draft positions.

Playing the damn middle got you Timmy.
It got you Frank
It got you Knox

If you bring in KD you CANNOT play the middle. Doing so will show me more than anything what this front office is about. Names to keep asses in seats.

Whatever you say.

In any event, that shouldn't be a problem for you, since you think all the young Knick players suck.

Deal them all for AD! Leggo!

[Greenie]

if the 2 stars are kd and kyrie you dont want someone else taking the shots, it will be worse. just get spacers and defenders and screeners etc.

You need more than two stars. Look around at the top teams.

Hell, remove KD from GS and they STILL hold 3 before you hit ELITE(AKA WELL PAID) role players.

You guys aren’t paying attention.

You need AT LEAST 3 All-Star type players to make some noise.

Warriors: Curry/Durant/Thompson/Green
Houston: Harden/Paul/Capela
Toronto: Kawhi/Siakam/Lowry-Ibaka-Gasol
Philly: Embiid/Simmons/Butler-Harris
Boston: Irving/Horford/Hayward/Tatum-Brown
Bucks: Giannis/Bleadsoe/Middleton/Brogdon-Lopez
Denver: Jokic/Murray/Harris/Milsap-Barton
Blazers: Lillard/McCollum/Nuric/Aminu-Harkless-Kanter


These teams are loaded. Not with 2 stars and a bunch MLE players either.


Lance Thomas makes MLE money.

[thebuzzardman]

if the 2 stars are kd and kyrie you dont want someone else taking the shots, it will be worse. just get spacers and defenders and screeners etc.

You need more than two stars. Look around at the top teams.

Hell, remove KD from GS and they STILL hold 3 before you hit ELITE(AKA WELL PAID) role players.

You guys aren’t paying attention.

You need AT LEAST 3 All-Star type players to make some noise.

Warriors: Curry/Durant/Thompson/Green
Houston: Harden/Paul/Capela
Toronto: Kawhi/Siakam/Lowry-Ibaka-Gasol
Philly: Embiid/Simmons/Butler-Harris
Boston: Irving/Horford/Hayward/Tatum-Brown
Bucks: Giannis/Bleadsoe/Middleton/Brogdon-Lopez
Denver: Jokic/Murray/Harris/Milsap-Barton
Blazers: Lillard/McCollum/Nuric/Aminu-Harkless-Kanter


These teams are loaded. Not with 2 stars and a bunch MLE players either.


Lance Thomas makes MLE money.

I'd say half those teams are 2 stars and 3rd good player (at least) but 2 stars and 3rd good player/3rd option has been the model of contending teams for a while now.