Knicks Draft Kevin McCullar (56) and Ariel Hukporti (58)

[Huey Freeman]

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He runs the floor extremely well. Good motor. Looks like he has potential to learn a few more offensive moves on the block - he can get that development in Westchester for a while. Needs to run with our guys that push the ball, fast-break catching lobs. All P&R at foul-line need to be lobs.

[G_K_F]

Is Hukporti coming over or is he a draft and stash and probably the next Louis Labeyrie?

Rather give a him a shot as the third big than Sims.

[DaddyCool19]

I think Hukporti would've been a higher 2nd round pick a year before, if he didn't rupture his achilles tendon shortly after the start of the 2022/23 season in Australia. He was considered as pretty talented in Germany.

[StlHawksFan]

Is Hukporti coming over or is he a draft and stash and probably the next Louis Labeyrie?

Rather give a him a shot as the third big than Sims.

Essentially he has to come over. The Knicks need to field 14 players and after the guaranteed contracts, they have very little to spare to fill out the roster. It will be even worse if they cannot find a way to get out from the first apron hard cap.

Let's suppose they can find someone who wants Precious via a S&T and they can loop that into the Bridges deal. Then they can offer Hartenstein the full 4/$72.5M. If not, then we're likely rolling with Precious at the backup 5.

Here are the 8 guaranteed salaries:
Anunoby 36,637,932
Randle 28,839,960
Brunson 24,960,001
Bridges 23,300,000
Hart 18,144,000
Robinson 14,318,182
DiVincenzo 11,445,000
McBride 4,710,144

Total = $162,355,219


Here are the two scenarios.
1. Standing pat. Knicks capped at the first apron ($178,655,000): $16,299,781 available to sign 6 players. The only way to do that is by signing Precious (or another center) to the taxpayer MLE ($5,183,000) or maybe a little more if we use the Obi TE, Pac Dadi at the rookie scale ($2,720,040) all 3 of our 2nd rounders to the SRE ($1,160,544 each), leaving one spot open for a vet min (scales based on tenure) would bring the Knicks total payroll to $173,739,891 before the vet min.

To make an offer to Hartenstein in this scenario, if you're curious, would mean signing an undrafted rookie to the 14th slot instead of a vet as well as stashing Pac Dadi. And even then, the Knicks could only offer him 4yrs/$47.3M, a deal starting at $10.5M.

2. Finding a taker for Precious to loop into the Bridges deal to get the Knicks to the 2nd Apron (189486000). That would enable the Knicks to give Hartenstein the full offer, sign Pac Dadi to ride the pine, and sign our 3 second rounders to keep him company on the bench. That would leave the Knicks with exactly $2,522,347 for the 14th man.

[2010]

Is Hukporti coming over or is he a draft and stash and probably the next Louis Labeyrie?

Rather give a him a shot as the third big than Sims.

Essentially he has to come over. The Knicks need to field 14 players and after the guaranteed contracts, they have very little to spare to fill out the roster. It will be even worse if they cannot find a way to get out from the first apron hard cap.

Let's suppose they can find someone who wants Precious via a S&T and they can loop that into the Bridges deal. Then they can offer Hartenstein the full 4/$72.5M. If not, then we're likely rolling with Precious at the backup 5.

Here are the 8 guaranteed salaries:
Anunoby 36,637,932
Randle 28,839,960
Brunson 24,960,001
Bridges 23,300,000
Hart 18,144,000
Robinson 14,318,182
DiVincenzo 11,445,000
McBride 4,710,144

Total = $162,355,219


Here are the two scenarios.
1. Standing pat. Knicks capped at the first apron ($178,655,000): $16,299,781 available to sign 6 players. The only way to do that is by signing Precious (or another center) to the taxpayer MLE ($5,183,000) or maybe a little more if we use the Obi TE, Pac Dadi at the rookie scale ($2,720,040) all 3 of our 2nd rounders to the SRE ($1,160,544 each), leaving one spot open for a vet min (scales based on tenure) would bring the Knicks total payroll to $173,739,891 before the vet min.

To make an offer to Hartenstein in this scenario, if you're curious, would mean signing an undrafted rookie to the 14th slot instead of a vet as well as stashing Pac Dadi. And even then, the Knicks could only offer him 4yrs/$47.3M, a deal starting at $10.5M.

2. Finding a taker for Precious to loop into the Bridges deal to get the Knicks to the 2nd Apron (189486000). That would enable the Knicks to give Hartenstein the full offer, sign Pac Dadi to ride the pine, and sign our 3 second rounders to keep him company on the bench. That would leave the Knicks with exactly $2,522,347 for the 14th man.

In theory, can’t the S&T scenario work with Burks (as an alternative to Achiuwa)?

[sol537]

Yes, it could be Burks instead of Precious.

[BKlutch]

Yes, it could be Burks instead of Precious.

We had just a few really good games from Burks after it seemed he couldn't play at all. So I'm not sure what he has left in the tank. Either way, he's not a priority, just a bench guy who isn't really in the rotation when all are healthy. So if it means losing him instead of iHart, I'd go for that.

[moocow007]

Hukporti reminds me of a cross between 2 former Knicks bigs…Nazr Mohammed and Kyle O’Quinn. Similar offensive skills of Nazr. The physical toughness of KOQ. Plays under control. Good team basketball. Not much upside.

[Fat Kat]

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[thebuzzardman]

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Knicks found another one.

They are really drafting for type and culture. Defensive players with well rounded games who move the ball and cut.

[bballoctober]

Hukporti reminds me of a cross between 2 former Knicks bigs…Nazr Mohammed and Kyle O’Quinn. Similar offensive skills of Nazr. The physical toughness of KOQ. Plays under control. Good team basketball. Not much upside.

Don’t forget shot blocker supreme Norvel Pelle.

[Fat Kat]

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[Jalen Bluntson]

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What about his BBIQ? Is he just a big body or can he make the right decisions.

[thebuzzardman]

I guess it'll be Mitch and Hukporti, which seems like 48 minutes of Mitch

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

I guess it'll be Mitch and Hukporti, which seems like 48 minutes of Mitch

48 minutes of Mitch with a marginally improved FT% would be awesome.

[El Poochio]

Guess we are relying on Disney characters now

[El Poochio]

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Sounds more like a Mitch replacement

[thebuzzardman]

Is Hukporti coming over or is he a draft and stash and probably the next Louis Labeyrie?

Rather give a him a shot as the third big than Sims.

Looks like he'll be starting 40 games this year

[Kidknick!]

Big man has a nice touch around the rim. We ain't asking for much out of the C position.

[matchman]

Hukporti plays for my Australian team, i saw him live probably 6 or 7 times this last season, he can absoloutey play, he more than matched No.2 pick Alex Sarr. Good, mature frame for a 22 year old, agressive and a terrific rebounder. I'm so happy for him.

Do you think he is NBA ready? With iHart gone he may have a chance to play spot minutes right in the rookie season.