Official Trade Thread -- Part XXXVIII

[nate33]

Great analysis, nate. And... it gave me a related idea (keeping in mind that the Knicks FO is new & will want to turn over that awful roster in a hurry).

They have 4 PFs: Randle, Portis, Harkless & Gibson. Harkless has expired (but they have his Bird rights), & they can decline Gibson's option. Portis they are stuck with for a year.

What if we thought about trading them both Rui & Bryant? If we took back Mitchell Robinson & their #6 pick this year, what more would we have to give them? Be willing to give them? Our #37 pick? Sure. But, would that be enough?

How about Jerome Robinson instead of that pick? Rui, Bryant & Jerome Robinson for their #6 pick & Mitchell Robinson.

Ridiculous idea? Odd, but workable idea? Would take some work to satisfy the trade rules, but I think it could be done. Perhaps we'd have to take back Taj Gibson...?

I don't see them giving up the #6 for Rui. I also don't think Jerome Robinson has any value whatsoever as a sweetener. We got him for nothing and he hasn't done anything to boost his value.

Among their redundant PF's, I think Taj Gibson might be a nice fit as a veteran backup and defensive mentor for Rui and Bryant. It would be nice to trade Ish straight up for Gibson (and then resign Napier), but the salaries don't quite match. Maybe throw in Schofield?

[Ruzious]

I'm not sure there's even 1 player other than Mitch on the Knicks roster I'd have any interest in acquiring - including Barrett.

[DCZards]

I'm not sure there's even 1 player other than Mitch on the Knicks roster I'd have any interest in acquiring - including Barrett.

I'd trade Rui for Barrett.

[Ruzious]

I'm not sure there's even 1 player other than Mitch on the Knicks roster I'd have any interest in acquiring - including Barrett.

I'd trade Rui for Barrett.

Why do you hate Rui?

[DCZards]

I'm not sure there's even 1 player other than Mitch on the Knicks roster I'd have any interest in acquiring - including Barrett.

I'd trade Rui for Barrett.

Why do you hate Rui?

What makes you think I hate Rui? I've done nothing but tout him since he was drafted. It's just that I think Barrett is going to be a much better player.

Barrett was a 19 year old last season with one-year of college ball, playing for a Knick team that wanted him to be their savior. So there's no surprise that he struggled.

Put RJ on a team where he can be the third or fourth option for 2-3 years and he's a future star.

[payitforward]

I'm pretty sure Ruz was just yanking your chain, Zards.

To continue the unexpected -- I would not trade Rui for Barrett!

I don't know what Barrett's upside is, but he was bad at Duke, & he's been awful as a pro so far. Way too speculative for me!

[Ruzious]

I'm pretty sure Ruz was just yanking your chain, Zards.

To continue the unexpected -- I would not trade Rui for Barrett!

I don't know what Barrett's upside is, but he was bad at Duke, & he's been awful as a pro so far. Way too speculative for me!

Yeah, I though putting the smiling face there would at least give him a hint that I was kidding. Oh well.

Barrett's a talented player, but I absolutely hate the way he plays. He's a chucker with a poor shooting touch - terrible shot selection - and a lot of his popularity is because he scores a fair amount - very inefficiently - which is a sure bet to help his team lose.

[payitforward]

Zards is on the record expecting Barrett, Garland & at least a couple of other high picks in '19 (Hunter...?) to turn into outstanding players & justify their pick positions. Might happen....

[DCZards]

Zards is on the record expecting Barrett, Garland & at least a couple of other high picks in '19 (Hunter...?) to turn into outstanding players & justify their pick positions. Might happen....

Yeah...knew you weren’t serious, Ruiz.

I’m still a believer in RJ and Garland. Both are young and raw. I see a ton of upside in both.

Barrett’s chucking or forcing shots was largely a function of his role with the Knicks. He’d be a very different player if he was drafted by, say, a team like Houston, where there wouldn’t be a demand for him to be The Man...and he’d have the luxury of growing and learning on the job.

[prime1time]

I like Barrett, but it makes no sense to talk about trading anything for him now. If we are trying to build a solid team, we have to be smart. The Knicks are a disaster, what are the chances Barrett comes out next season and is lights out? Unless he's Kobe-esque, the chances are nill. If you want Barrett you wait until his stock is worse. Barrett's stock next summer will be where Knox's stock is this summer. Which raises an interesting question. What do people think about Kevin Knox? Personally, I wouldn't mind adding him. In general, I am in favor of reclamation projects for 1st round draft picks.

Which raises the question. Who are some potential first-round or second-round draft picks that you think the team could go after like we've done in the past? Players who put in the right situation might be able to play better but currently find themselves in bad situations. Diamonds in the rough if you will? Brandon Ingram is a great example of this.

[prime1time]

One guy that comes to mind is Mo Bamba. Another guy is a former favorite of people on this board Zhaire Smith. I'd also put Harry Giles on this list. What do you guys think?

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

One guy that comes to mind is Mo Bamba. Another guy is a former favorite of people on this board Zhaire Smith. I'd also put Harry Giles on this list. What do you guys think?

I think Harry Styles’ Watermelon Sugar is a catchy song. It’s got a great beat and you can dance to it.

Oh, wait, you asked about Harry Giles.

[Ruzious]

One guy that comes to mind is Mo Bamba. Another guy is a former favorite of people on this board Zhaire Smith. I'd also put Harry Giles on this list. What do you guys think?

I think Harry Styles’ Watermelon Sugar is a catchy song. It’s got a great beat and you can dance to it.

Oh, wait, you asked about Harry Giles.

I never did care much about the J. Geils band, though they were very popular in Celtics territory.

[wall_glizzy]

One guy that comes to mind is Mo Bamba. Another guy is a former favorite of people on this board Zhaire Smith. I'd also put Harry Giles on this list. What do you guys think?

Yes! I've been waiting for the opportunity to bring up Harry Giles re: our offseason possibilities. I've got a huge thing for passing bigs, and while my belief in his rim protection abilities is starting to wane, the upside is still there. If I recall correctly, the Kings didn't even pick up the last year of his rookie contract, so I think he's unrestricted this summer. Hard to imagine that we'd be completely priced out given the current cap environment.

I don't think we have a free agency-specific ideas thread, so while we're at it, I'd like to throw out Kris Dunn and Jakob Poeltl as some potentially valuable depth/defensive additions that might come relatively cheap. I believe Dunn's unrestricted this year, and while Poeltl's an RFA I recall seeing that the Spurs will be a bit cap-constrained given that they have a few young players expiring and a significant cap figure already committed for next season.

[payitforward]

I like Barrett, but it makes no sense to talk about trading anything for him now. If we are trying to build a solid team, we have to be smart. The Knicks are a disaster, what are the chances Barrett comes out next season and is lights out? Unless he's Kobe-esque, the chances are nill. If you want Barrett you wait until his stock is worse. Barrett's stock next summer will be where Knox's stock is this summer...

I'm not sure I'd be interested in Barrett next Summer, but prime's take on this makes way more sense than trading for Barrett now.

What do people think about Kevin Knox? Personally, I wouldn't mind adding him. In general, I am in favor of reclamation projects for 1st round draft picks....

If a guy isn't good, he doesn't make for a good reclamation project. Kevin Knox wasn't good in his 1 year at Kentucky, & he's been terrible in over 3300 NBA minutes.

...Which raises the question. Who are some potential first-round or second-round draft picks that you think the team could go after like we've done in the past? Players who put in the right situation might be able to play better but currently find themselves in bad situations. Diamonds in the rough if you will? Brandon Ingram is a great example of this.

He is, but I think Christian Wood is the archetype! A few of us have been shouting his name here for years!

But, I wouldn't be looking for guys who aren't playing well because of their situation. I'd be looking for guys who are playing well -- but don't get enough minutes, because they are undervalued for some reason.

There's a long list of guys like that: Cheick Diallo, Shaquille Harrison, Hollis-Jefferson, Finney-Smith, Jamychal Green.... High-value journeymen would be what we're looking for. Every team needs guys like that.

[payitforward]

... I'd also put Harry Giles on this list. What do you guys think?

I think Harry Styles’ Watermelon Sugar is a catchy song. It’s got a great beat and you can dance to it.
Oh, wait, you asked about Harry Giles.

I never did care much about the J. Geils band, though they were very popular in Celtics territory.

Not to seem guileless, but what are you guy(l)s talking about? Give me some guidelines, please.

I guess I need some of what long suffrin' boulez is talking about: guildance.

[prime1time]

I like Barrett, but it makes no sense to talk about trading anything for him now. If we are trying to build a solid team, we have to be smart. The Knicks are a disaster, what are the chances Barrett comes out next season and is lights out? Unless he's Kobe-esque, the chances are nill. If you want Barrett you wait until his stock is worse. Barrett's stock next summer will be where Knox's stock is this summer...

I'm not sure I'd be interested in Barrett next Summer, but prime's take on this makes way more sense than trading for Barrett now.

What do people think about Kevin Knox? Personally, I wouldn't mind adding him. In general, I am in favor of reclamation projects for 1st round draft picks....

If a guy isn't good, he doesn't make for a good reclamation project. Kevin Knox wasn't good in his 1 year at Kentucky, & he's been terrible in over 3300 NBA minutes.

...Which raises the question. Who are some potential first-round or second-round draft picks that you think the team could go after like we've done in the past? Players who put in the right situation might be able to play better but currently find themselves in bad situations. Diamonds in the rough if you will? Brandon Ingram is a great example of this.

He is, but I think Christian Wood is the archetype! A few of us have been shouting his name here for years!

But, I wouldn't be looking for guys who aren't playing well because of their situation. I'd be looking for guys who are playing well -- but don't get enough minutes, because they are undervalued for some reason.

There's a long list of guys like that: Cheick Diallo, Shaquille Harrison, Hollis-Jefferson, Finney-Smith, Jamychal Green.... High-value journeymen would be what we're looking for. Every team needs guys like that.

Good point at the end there. I'll have to look into that. Thanks for listing those players. I feel like the time is in such a weird position. No one really has any spot locked down other than Beal or Wall, so I'm all for competition.

[prime1time]

One guy that comes to mind is Mo Bamba. Another guy is a former favorite of people on this board Zhaire Smith. I'd also put Harry Giles on this list. What do you guys think?

Yes! I've been waiting for the opportunity to bring up Harry Giles re: our offseason possibilities. I've got a huge thing for passing bigs, and while my belief in his rim protection abilities is starting to wane, the upside is still there. If I recall correctly, the Kings didn't even pick up the last year of his rookie contract, so I think he's unrestricted this summer. Hard to imagine that we'd be completely priced out given the current cap environment.

I don't think we have a free agency-specific ideas thread, so while we're at it, I'd like to throw out Kris Dunn and Jakob Poeltl as some potentially valuable depth/defensive additions that might come relatively cheap. I believe Dunn's unrestricted this year, and while Poeltl's an RFA I recall seeing that the Spurs will be a bit cap-constrained given that they have a few young players expiring and a significant cap figure already committed for next season.

I've been fascinated by Kris Dunn for a while, but I haven't been able to catch any Bulls games. What do you think about Dunn? He could be a solid player coming off the bench.

Hopefully, we make a run at Giles.

[wall_glizzy]

I've been fascinated by Kris Dunn for a while, but I haven't been able to catch any Bulls games. What do you think about Dunn? He could be a solid player coming off the bench.

Hopefully, we make a run at Giles.

The man is just an absolute defensive savant, whether guarding 1-4 or playing as a free safety. He's pretty close to a non-factor, but since he's no longer being forced into the primary distributor role (which is what he was drafted, at #5, to be), he doesn't hurt you too much either - USG% and turnovers were down this season. I think he'd be absolutely perfect as a third guard to stagger with Wall and Beal, and he's young enough to still be a plus asset if we do end up bowing up the current core. He's got a little residual playmaking ability, too, and he's a plus rebounder, which is nice to have.

The Bulls would be fools not to keep him in my mind, but they've already got Lavine, Coby White, our old friend Sato, and Ryan Arcidiacono under contract at the position and there have been reports that the ownership group is tightening the belt for this next season despite the recent front office shake-up.

I know defense in the modern NBA is still all about the rim protector, which I'd still classify as our greatest need going into this offseason, but I think Dunn's about as impactful as a guard can be on that end. Sure everybody looks great in their highlights, but check this out (and keep in mind that it covers a little less than a month of this past season):

Watch on YouTube

[TGW]

I'm not sure there's even 1 player other than Mitch on the Knicks roster I'd have any interest in acquiring - including Barrett.

I'd trade Rui for Barrett.

Why? What?

Barrett is awful.