DOT wrote:Paul Reed is the best FA C on the market
Not ideal I don't think, but I don't see a better option without a trade.
Reed is an upgrade over Precious. Maybe we can use Precious in a sign and trade for a C while signing Reed as his replacement. But the more likely path is sign both to tee up a deadline move.
Right now I have the Knicks at 18.4mm below the 2nd apron for 13 players (assuming McCullar signs for 1.2mm starting salary). Use of the taxpayer MLE takes that number down to $13.2mm.
I would sign Precious to a 1+1 (team option) starting at $10mm. Tees up a good amount of deadline possibilities for a trade (can to to a 15mm player w Precious + reed or mid 12s with Precious + Sims or KBD). This also leaves enough room to sign a buyout guy.
Roster would look like:
Robinson/Reed/Precious/Sims
Randle/LBD/Dadiet
Anunoby/Hart
Bridges/DDV/McCullar
Brunson/McBride/Kolek
Not ideal, but positioned to make some more moves at the deadline to complete the roster
The other option is trade Duce for a C and use the taxpayer MLE to sign a replacement. Pat Bev, Lowry, Fult, Dinwiddie all could work.