Is 3 max spots possible?

[SelbyCobra]

Yup

I get this, and I'm not saying it's wrong, but there's a big part of me that wonders if trying to get two max guys and then hold onto ALL the youth and picks to try and grow things more flexibly - and potentially even bigger - going forward is the way to REALLY do the ideal longshot scenario properly...

A poster mentioned that we don't necessarily need to get AD but a player within that salary range. For example, Blake Griffin or Beal... we don't need to trade all of our assets to get a guy like him.

You do have to trade all the assets though - at least the current players on the roster - to fit that 3rd salary slot. Knox, Trier, Mitch, Ntilikina, etc all need to go to create that cap space for the lesser Griffin/Beal type.

[Jeffrey]

I get this, and I'm not saying it's wrong, but there's a big part of me that wonders if trying to get two max guys and then hold onto ALL the youth and picks to try and grow things more flexibly - and potentially even bigger - going forward is the way to REALLY do the ideal longshot scenario properly...

A poster mentioned that we don't necessarily need to get AD but a player within that salary range. For example, Blake Griffin or Beal... we don't need to trade all of our assets to get a guy like him.

You do have to trade all the assets though - at least the current players on the roster - to fit that 3rd salary slot. Knox, Trier, Mitch, Ntilikina, etc all need to go to create that cap space for the lesser Griffin/Beal type.

Yes that's correct and including DSJr and leaving Mitch with us but you won't be giving up all those first round picks. AD will cost you the 1st rounders too. That's another avenue the Knicks can look into.

Kyrie, Beal and Durant could sound appealing

[BB_Fan]

You have to get AD. He is way superior talent than Beal. AD is front court and Beal is backcourt. with Kyrie and Durant you need a front court (defense) rather than another back court (offense).

You have better chance of winning championship with AD/KD/kyrie. Once NY wins two - three championship other players will sign as FA. Scott Perry/Steve Mills will try to win championship rather than long term player development.

[DowNY]

Yup

I get this, and I'm not saying it's wrong, but there's a big part of me that wonders if trying to get two max guys and then hold onto ALL the youth and picks to try and grow things more flexibly - and potentially even bigger - going forward is the way to REALLY do the ideal longshot scenario properly...

A poster mentioned that we don't necessarily need to get AD but a player within that salary range. For example, Blake Griffin or Beal... we don't need to trade all of our assets to get a guy like him.

AD way younger than Blake. He’s light years ahead of either of those 2 or similar type players.
We have no need to be cheap.
If we get Kyrie & KD, you go get AD without doubt.
He puts the big 3 over the top. That’s a championship team. Our depth will come from vet signings and our picks in the future.

[DowNY]

Our best chance is just to outbid the Lakers now. Once the lotto hits we may have to part with something we REALLY don't want to.

If KD/Kyrie are about winning, then they should want us to keep our players who will all be better than their contracts. They can sign near-max deals on 1 and 1's and then opt out and extend using early birds.
Assuming we deal Knox, Frank, DSJ, 2019 FRP, and two other picks (they will likely want Trier and Mitch and want us to take Hill or something but we can't) we can wind up with:
Mitch/cheap FA big (RoLo?)
AD/Kornet/Beas?
Durant/Lance (resigned min)
Dotson/Trier/Allen
Kyrie/Bayless? Jennings?

Kyrie & KD don’t care about kids. I’m sure if they come here then Perry tells them he can get AD but has to trade all our assets, they won’t bat an eye. That big 3 is championship worthy. You add in vet min vets and the $5M MLE. We’d be good to go.

If we get the number 1 pick, we might be able to keep players like Mitchell, Trier & Dotson.
Zion, Knox, DSJr & Frank should be enough and matches up salary wise. Best offer they can get.

Anything other than number 1 pick & we’re probably have to add Mitch or Trier.

Either way, well worth it.

Kyrie, Durant & Davis? You figure it out from there like every other Big 3 did.

Zion would almost make you think 2x about including him in the trade. You are talking a once in a decade type talent. However only 14% chance it happens (since he very likely goes 1) with the new lottery system.

Keep him and trade Knox, Trier, DSJ, Thomas and 2-3 future #1s , can Lakers top that? No other team will trade for AD if he says through back channels he won't re-up with them. Keep Frank, Robinson, Dotson for defensive purposes and better fit with big 3. Jordan on the MLE and you have in Fizdales 'positionless' system:

2019-20 roster

Jordan/Robinson/AD/Zion
AD/Zion/KD
KD/Zion/ Vet Min or 2nd rd pick
Dotson/Frank/ Kyrie/ Vet min
Kyrie/Frank

No way in hell Pelicans do the trade without Zion. Our pick would be the main piece with Knox & DSJr.
No matter how AD tries to force his way out, they’re gonna ask for our best pieces and we have no reason to not do it. KD, Kyrie & AD = championship core. 2 out the 3 will be on every game at the very least.
We can’t play around here, just because we’ve grown attached to a 10 win core of youth or because Zion may be generational. We haven’t won a title since the 70s.
If we end up with 2 or 3 within a 5-7 year window...it’s well worth it. Zion can be generational in New Orleans in the Western Conference.

[BB_Fan]

You get AD first on draft night for KD to commit. Then you get Kyrie or kwahi to form a super team .

KD will give you some discount to form a super team and win three more rings. KD now has two rings and will win third this year. With a NY super team he will win three more rings. That is 6 rings same as MJ. NY Media will make him GOAT.

KD will make over 500 M (endorsements and business deals). A few million is not much when NY media will make you a legend. You also tarnish Lebron legacy.

[DowNY]

You make the trade only with a top 2 protection and Zion is off limits.

Would you trade rookie LeBron for prime KG? It’s a tough decision.

I think it’s smarter to make a seperate trade if we end up with Zion. We can trade all our young players for a player like Beal or just trade off all our players for future picks and sign 3 max players outright.

We can’t trade our other players (minus the pick) for a player like Beal because Beal basically makes the same as AD. Trade won’t go through without the cap hold from the pick. Instead you’d have to target a player around the low $20M range. Not sure who fits that as trade bait but yeah....not ideal situation.

[KnixinSix]

Kyrie & KD don’t care about kids. I’m sure if they come here then Perry tells them he can get AD but has to trade all our assets, they won’t bat an eye. That big 3 is championship worthy. You add in vet min vets and the $5M MLE. We’d be good to go.

If we get the number 1 pick, we might be able to keep players like Mitchell, Trier & Dotson.
Zion, Knox, DSJr & Frank should be enough and matches up salary wise. Best offer they can get.

Anything other than number 1 pick & we’re probably have to add Mitch or Trier.

Either way, well worth it.

Kyrie, Durant & Davis? You figure it out from there like every other Big 3 did.

Zion would almost make you think 2x about including him in the trade. You are talking a once in a decade type talent. However only 14% chance it happens (since he very likely goes 1) with the new lottery system.

Keep him and trade Knox, Trier, DSJ, Thomas and 2-3 future #1s , can Lakers top that? No other team will trade for AD if he says through back channels he won't re-up with them. Keep Frank, Robinson, Dotson for defensive purposes and better fit with big 3. Jordan on the MLE and you have in Fizdales 'positionless' system:

2019-20 roster

Jordan/Robinson/AD/Zion
AD/Zion/KD
KD/Zion/ Vet Min or 2nd rd pick
Dotson/Frank/ Kyrie/ Vet min
Kyrie/Frank

No way in hell Pelicans do the trade without Zion. Our pick would be the main piece with Knox & DSJr.
No matter how AD tries to force his way out, they’re gonna ask for our best pieces and we have no reason to not do it. KD, Kyrie & AD = championship core. 2 out the 3 will be on every game at the very least.
We can’t play around here, just because we’ve grown attached to a 10 win core of youth or because Zion may be generational. We haven’t won a title since the 70s.
If we end up with 2 or 3 within a 5-7 year window...it’s well worth it. Zion can be generational in New Orleans in the Western Conference.

Reasoning? Knox, Trier, DSJ, Thomas and 2-3 future #1s , can Lakers top that? No other team will trade for AD if he says through back channels he won't re-up with them. How do Lakers top that? Its in line with other offers we've seen for stars with 1 year remaining. Not saying gaurantee they do it , but if you give them 3- 1st rdrs including one of the Mavs (but not including this year) its well in line with what with seen in the past. And if we end up top 2-4 this year and give it to them as one of the picks it would be an even better package even though Zion wouldnt be the guy they get.

[DowNY]

Getting KD, Kyrie, AD and keeping our first round pick is not possible in the offseason, under the salary cap. Our 2019 first round pick would have to be involved in any trade.

If we get the first overall pick, the question will be if Zion, Smith Jr., Ntilikina, Knox, Dotson and potential draft picks are worth more than AD or Bradley Beal or Lillard. I would say that AD is the only player I would trade that package for. Maybe Lillard if we get KD and Kawhi instead.

This.
I know people wanna have best of both worlds and such but you gotta give something to get something.
I’d value the potential of Kyrie, KD & AD over anything.
Legit title contender for every season.

[BB_Fan]

You make the trade only with a top 2 protection and Zion is off limits.

Would you trade rookie LeBron for prime KG? It’s a tough decision.

I think it’s smarter to make a seperate trade if we end up with Zion. We can trade all our young players for a player like Beal or just trade off all our players for future picks and sign 3 max players outright.

We can’t trade our other players (minus the pick) for a player like Beal because Beal basically makes the same as AD. Trade won’t go through without the cap hold from the pick. Instead you’d have to target a player around the low $20M range. Not sure who fits that as trade bait but yeah....not ideal situation.

The 2019 FRP is the highlight of the trade with Pelicans with other FRP. You have to gut the team to form a big three of AD/KD/Kyrie. Jordan will sign for MLE and other ring chasers will sign for minimum. That is a championship team .

Zion is not there when compared to AD. KD wants to win championship to match MJ(6). You need AD to form super team in New York.

[DowNY]

Zion would almost make you think 2x about including him in the trade. You are talking a once in a decade type talent. However only 14% chance it happens (since he very likely goes 1) with the new lottery system.

Keep him and trade Knox, Trier, DSJ, Thomas and 2-3 future #1s , can Lakers top that? No other team will trade for AD if he says through back channels he won't re-up with them. Keep Frank, Robinson, Dotson for defensive purposes and better fit with big 3. Jordan on the MLE and you have in Fizdales 'positionless' system:

2019-20 roster

Jordan/Robinson/AD/Zion
AD/Zion/KD
KD/Zion/ Vet Min or 2nd rd pick
Dotson/Frank/ Kyrie/ Vet min
Kyrie/Frank

No way in hell Pelicans do the trade without Zion. Our pick would be the main piece with Knox & DSJr.
No matter how AD tries to force his way out, they’re gonna ask for our best pieces and we have no reason to not do it. KD, Kyrie & AD = championship core. 2 out the 3 will be on every game at the very least.
We can’t play around here, just because we’ve grown attached to a 10 win core of youth or because Zion may be generational. We haven’t won a title since the 70s.
If we end up with 2 or 3 within a 5-7 year window...it’s well worth it. Zion can be generational in New Orleans in the Western Conference.

Reasoning? Knox, Trier, DSJ, Thomas and 2-3 future #1s , can Lakers top that? No other team will trade for AD if he says through back channels he won't re-up with them. How do Lakers top that? Its in line with other offers we've seen for stars with 1 year remaining. Not saying gaurantee they do it , but if you give them 3- 1st rdrs including one of the Mavs (but not including this year) its well in line with what with seen in the past. And if we end up top 2-4 this year and give it to them as one of the picks it would be an even better package even though Zion wouldnt be the guy they get.

Well easy....if that was so the case then the trade would be done now or before the deadline. That’s not the case because Pelicans wants to see where we end up drafting for this draft and don’t wanna send AD here to mess the draft position up.

In addition, if we’re including Lance Thomas in the deal during the Summer....that means we didn’t terminate his $6M out of $7M contract. That means KD & Kyrie has to take less than Max and I’m not willing to bet that either are going to do that. Just because Lebron & Bosh did it, doesn’t mean other duos will just to win here.

To end ....in what world is Knox, DSJr & Trier a better group of young guys than Ingram/Kuzma/Ball etc.
Lakers might not have offered that yet but if we get that number 1 pick, then Lakers would have no choice but to up their offer. We’d be competition. Which means we’d have to throw in our pick no matter what and best package wins.
Pelicans can sell their fan base on Zion + other prospects.
I think even if we get RJ, it would be up in the air if we can beat Lakers offer. Our saving grace would be that Lakers are in the same conference and Pelicans won’t like trading AD within conference.

[BB_Fan]

KD has two rings and will win third this year. If you form a super team of KD/AD/Kyrie/Jordan(MLE) it will win three more rings . KD gets 6 rings and NY Media will make him GOAT. Tarnish LeBron Legacy.

NY will gut its team and trade everbody on draft night with all of their picks including 2019 FRP to get AD. They will sign KD and Kyrie.
That is the plan and KP trade was executed to form a big three in NY. Scott Perry & Dolan want to win championship next year to cement their legacy.

AD will resign next year because all big market teams will exhaust their cap space this year (Lakers,Clippers, Knicks,Nets,Boston). Where will AD sign in 2020 - Cleveland, Kings,Hawks, Orlando

[Knicksfan20]

Just saying...KD may be a cool guy and take 32 million instead of the full 38. That would allow us to keep Trier/Dotson/Mitchell

[DowNY]

Just saying...KD may be a cool guy and take 32 million instead of the full 38. That would allow us to keep Trier/Dotson/Mitchell

Certainly nothing wrong with asking. He’ll have various options here I would assume.
1 option would be he & whoever can take the max and just play with the dudes here + the player we draft.
2nd option would be take maxes and execute a trade after they’re signed, for a player like AD.
3rd option would be both players take less than max and we execute a trade after they sign to try to keep players they have no care for.

I’m sure it’s another option in there somewhere.

I don’t see them turning down the max but who knows. Time will tell.

[DowNY]

Actually.....KD & Kyrie (assumed 2nd FA) wouldn’t have to take less than Max for us to keep Mitch, Trier and Dotson.

DSJr
Frank
Knox
1st rd pick this year

That’s enough salary wise to acquire someone like Davis.

[BB_Fan]

players like Trier/Dotson/Mitchell are available plenty in NBA and you will get them in Free Agency. You make a deal with Pelicans and offer them everything for AD. Let them select and anyone remaining should be waived.

KD will only commit if AD is here in New York. That opens space for 3rd super star. To Keep Kyrie Boston will offer their entire team and picks. Pelicans are in a great shape if they play thier trade chips wisely.

For Pelicans the package they get from Knicks\Boston will be better than signing AD for the supermax.

[Knicksfan20]

Just saying...KD may be a cool guy and take 32 million instead of the full 38. That would allow us to keep Trier/Dotson/Mitchell

Certainly nothing wrong with asking. He’ll have various options here I would assume.
1 option would be he & whoever can take the max and just play with the dudes here + the player we draft.
2nd option would be take maxes and execute a trade after they’re signed, for a player like AD.
3rd option would be both players take less than max and we execute a trade after they sign to try to keep players they have no care for.

I’m sure it’s another option in there somewhere.

I don’t see them turning down the max but who knows. Time will tell.

Except Durant cares about Trier , so I’m sure he would take a slight pay cut in order to keep Trier on the roster.

Remember when JR smith took a few paycuts for us? I’m sure James Dolan can make it worth KDs while.

[DowNY]

Just saying...KD may be a cool guy and take 32 million instead of the full 38. That would allow us to keep Trier/Dotson/Mitchell

Certainly nothing wrong with asking. He’ll have various options here I would assume.
1 option would be he & whoever can take the max and just play with the dudes here + the player we draft.
2nd option would be take maxes and execute a trade after they’re signed, for a player like AD.
3rd option would be both players take less than max and we execute a trade after they sign to try to keep players they have no care for.

I’m sure it’s another option in there somewhere.

I don’t see them turning down the max but who knows. Time will tell.

Except Durant cares about Trier , so I’m sure he would take a slight pay cut in order to keep Trier on the roster.

Remember when JR smith took a few paycuts for us? I’m sure James Dolan can make it worth KDs while.

Sure, maybe.
But like I said up top....if we get a top 3 pick...the cap hold for that player is higher than the average $6.something million. I believe the 1st pick cap hold is closer to $9M.

9+ Knox’s 4.3 + Frank’s 4.8 + DSJr’s 4.4 = 22.5

We’d have to get to $21M to trade for AD (after we sign our max players to max) to go over the cap.
So we can have an agreement before we sign KD & Kyrie to max then make the trade official after the signings.

So yeah, it’s possible to keep those 3. I think it’s likely we can keep all 3 if we get first pick and grab Zion. Pels won’t be stressing over Trier or Mitchell then. It just gets tricky if we don’t get the first pick because the cap hold lessens and maybe the Pelicans would be more inclined to ask for Mitchell &/or Trier.
I think Dotson is safe regardless.

[Knicksfan20]

players like Trier/Dotson/Mitchell are available plenty in NBA and you will get them in Free Agency. You make a deal with Pelicans and offer them everything for AD. Let them select and anyone remaining should be waived.

KD will only commit if AD is here in New York. That opens space for 3rd super star. To Keep Kyrie Boston will offer their entire team and picks. Pelicans are in a great shape if they play thier trade chips wisely.

For Pelicans the package they get from Knicks\Boston will be better than signing AD for the supermax.

Not really and not at the salary they are being paid. That’s 2 2nd round players and an UDFA. Pelicans ain’t stressing over them and Trier and Durant have a close relationship. I’m sure Durant would want Trier on the team if he had any input. If he had to give up 5 million I’m sure he would and I’m sure Dolan would compensate him in some way.

[VirginiaKnickFan]

With the Pelicans opening trade talks this week with the Lakers, I wouldn't be surprised to see him sent there by the trade deadline.