Would you move Deuce for Kessler?

[TrueWarrior]

Overall I am just not a fan of playing 48min with rim running centers with 0 offense, even with there defensive capability.

iHart at least offered a reliable floater and good passing. Just those skills made a huge difference.

I still like Mitch. Just rather have our other center offer some complimentary skills over full redundancy. Sometimes we do need a C that can be a threat outside of 3' from the basket..... This is especially true in the East. I can't emphasize that enough.

Maybe it's why we are hearing rumors of Segun and KAT

What if we’re thinking of replacing Mitch as the starter with Kessler, and then eventually trading Mitch for a more offensive backup big?

I keep saying it, but we need a starting center. Mitch should be the backup. Kessler is the only defensive one out there now, not that I think Ainge will play nice though.

Kessler is already better than Mitch on offense. Averages more points and shoots better from the line. Id bet he continues to get a little better on that end. Then we can get our Naz Reid/Al Horford type behind him.

[StlHawksFan]

Overall I am just not a fan of playing 48min with rim running centers with 0 offense, even with there defensive capability.

iHart at least offered a reliable floater and good passing. Just those skills made a huge difference.

I still like Mitch. Just rather have our other center offer some complimentary skills over full redundancy. Sometimes we do need a C that can be a threat outside of 3' from the basket..... This is especially true in the East. I can't emphasize that enough.

Maybe it's why we are hearing rumors of Segun and KAT

Kessler's developing a 3pt shot. He's not much of a passer yet but he does have good hands. Just 30 lost balls over the course 3196 career minutes played (0.9 per 100 minutes). Last year Hartenstein (probably the 3rd best passing C in the league) had 12 lost balls in 1896 minutes played (0.6 per 100 minutes).

By comparison Mitch had 14 in 768 minutes played (1.8 per 100 minutes).

I like Kessler, I just don't think he's worth the asking price of something more than 2 firsts.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Overall I am just not a fan of playing 48min with rim running centers with 0 offense, even with there defensive capability.

iHart at least offered a reliable floater and good passing. Just those skills made a huge difference.

I still like Mitch. Just rather have our other center offer some complimentary skills over full redundancy. Sometimes we do need a C that can be a threat outside of 3' from the basket..... This is especially true in the East. I can't emphasize that enough.

Maybe it's why we are hearing rumors of Segun and KAT

Kessler's developing a 3pt shot. He's not much of a passer yet but he does have good hands. Just 30 lost balls over the course 3196 career minutes played (0.9 per 100 minutes). Last year Hartenstein (probably the 3rd best passing C in the league) had 12 lost balls in 1896 minutes played (0.6 per 100 minutes).

By comparison Mitch had 14 in 768 minutes played (1.8 per 100 minutes).

I like Kessler, I just don't think he's worth the asking price of something more than 2 firsts.

Kessler hit 4 3s last year at 21%? Maybe he eventually develops that shot. Right now he doesn't have it. And didn't see him developing that here. I wouldn't mind him, but yea I didn't like the price either. Think we can find something better for the price.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Overall I am just not a fan of playing 48min with rim running centers with 0 offense, even with there defensive capability.

iHart at least offered a reliable floater and good passing. Just those skills made a huge difference.

I still like Mitch. Just rather have our other center offer some complimentary skills over full redundancy. Sometimes we do need a C that can be a threat outside of 3' from the basket..... This is especially true in the East. I can't emphasize that enough.

Maybe it's why we are hearing rumors of Segun and KAT

What if we’re thinking of replacing Mitch as the starter with Kessler, and then eventually trading Mitch for a more offensive backup big?

I keep saying it, but we need a starting center. Mitch should be the backup. Kessler is the only defensive one out there now, not that I think Ainge will play nice though.

Kessler is already better than Mitch on offense. Averages more points and shoots better from the line. Id bet he continues to get a little better on that end. Then we can get our Naz Reid/Al Horford type behind him.

If we are replacing Mitch it's a different story. But I actually think a healthy Mitch is better then Kessler right now. Id much rather have Mitch defend Embiid. Kessler blocks shots but does get bullied, can't really set proper screens either. He has more development needed.

Kessler kinda feels overrated to me. He's fine, I just wouldn't pay a premium price that Ainge is asking

[TrueWarrior]

What if we’re thinking of replacing Mitch as the starter with Kessler, and then eventually trading Mitch for a more offensive backup big?

I keep saying it, but we need a starting center. Mitch should be the backup. Kessler is the only defensive one out there now, not that I think Ainge will play nice though.

Kessler is already better than Mitch on offense. Averages more points and shoots better from the line. Id bet he continues to get a little better on that end. Then we can get our Naz Reid/Al Horford type behind him.

If we are replacing Mitch it's a different story. But I actually think a healthy Mitch is better then Kessler right now. Id much rather have Mitch defend Embiid. Kessler blocks shots but does get bullied, can't really set proper screens either. He has more development needed.

Kessler kinda feels overrated to me. He's fine, I just wouldn't pay a premium price that Ainge is asking

Healthy Mitch is basically a myth at this point though. The dude is out there shotgunning beers on instagram now and still looking overweight. He’s a lovable guy but emotionally very immature still. I just dont trust him or want to put our title hopes in his brittleness.

Kessler is only 22, about to be 23, so yeah he is probably a year or two away from really be ready. However he’s younger, healthier, and already great in many defensive/rebounding categories, while showing more promise offensively than Mitch ever has.

Mitch hasnt developed at all, if you wanna talk about development, and is getting worse in important areas like free throws. We can keep him and Kessler for a bit and see how it goes though, if we’re that worried about Embiid.

Im just over Mitch, and Kessler is the only replacement I see out there.

[3toheadmelo]

Celtics will play Kessler off the court. That’s why he comes off the bench for Utah and still in summer league. He’s like Whiteside

[TrueWarrior]

Celtics will play Kessler off the court. That’s why he comes off the bench for Utah and still in summer league. He’s like Whiteside

I wanted Porzingis last summer while you didnt man lol. Now you’re all worried about him. He barely played in the playoffs, and got surgery again, but they obviously didnt even need him to push it.

The Celtics are a tough matchup for everyone. Whether its Mitch, Isaiah, Kessler, Richards, Kat, Sengun, etc theyd all have some trouble defending the perimeter like that. So Id at least want a guy who can protect the rim if we cant get both.

What would your plan be then? If Kessler is too expensive then we move on, but Id take my chances with his health and potential over Mitch.

[3toheadmelo]

Celtics will play Kessler off the court. That’s why he comes off the bench for Utah and still in summer league. He’s like Whiteside

I wanted Porzingis last summer while you didnt man lol. Now you’re all worried about him. He barely played in the playoffs but they obviously didnt even need him to push it.

The Celtics are a tough matchup for everyone. Whether its Mitch, Kessler, Richards, Kat, Sengun, etc theyd all have some trouble defending the perimeter like that.

What would your plan be then? If Kessler is too expensive then we move on, but Id take my chances with his health and potential over Mitch.

Small ball with Randle at the 5 is looking like our best option to beat Boston. Getting Mikal helps us a lot to pull it off now.

One thing that should also be noted with Kessler is that he's one of the worst screeners in the league. That's unacceptable for someone who's already an offensive liability. And he can't defend outside of the paint. That's why Utah went and replaced him with Taylor Hendricks at C who's able to guard 1-5 and can stretch the floor. The reality is that Kessler is an outdated center. Utah has already realized that.

Boston doesn't even need KP like you said and I am glad we didn't go after him because he just got hurt again with a major injury. Dude is just injury prone. If he was healthy then it would be a different conversation. If we got KP we would not have been able to afford Mikal's salary too.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Celtics will play Kessler off the court. That’s why he comes off the bench for Utah and still in summer league. He’s like Whiteside

I wanted Porzingis last summer while you didnt man lol. Now you’re all worried about him. He barely played in the playoffs but they obviously didnt even need him to push it.

The Celtics are a tough matchup for everyone. Whether its Mitch, Kessler, Richards, Kat, Sengun, etc theyd all have some trouble defending the perimeter like that.

What would your plan be then? If Kessler is too expensive then we move on, but Id take my chances with his health and potential over Mitch.

Small ball with Randle at the 5 is looking like our best option to beat Boston. Getting Mikal helps us a lot to pull it off now.

One thing that should also be noted with Kessler is that he's one of the worst screeners in the league. That's unacceptable for someone who's already an offensive liability. And he can't defend outside of the paint. That's why Utah went and replaced him with Taylor Hendricks at C who's able to guard 1-5 and can stretch the floor. The reality is that Kessler is an outdated center. Utah has already realized that.

Boston doesn't even need KP like you said and I am glad we didn't go after him because he just got hurt again with a major injury. Dude is just injury prone. If he was healthy then it would be a different conversation. If we got KP we would not have been able to afford Mikal's salary too.

Yea I want to see some small ball with Randle at the 5. It's the way to match up best against the Celtics. And to be effective we should play that during the season at times.

It's useless to have a rim protector with 0 offense against the Celtics since they play 5 out. Let Randle defend KP/Horford and Mikal/OG take Brown/Tatum. Plus force KP to try to guard Randle and bring him outside the paint

[TrueWarrior]

Celtics will play Kessler off the court. That’s why he comes off the bench for Utah and still in summer league. He’s like Whiteside

I wanted Porzingis last summer while you didnt man lol. Now you’re all worried about him. He barely played in the playoffs but they obviously didnt even need him to push it.

The Celtics are a tough matchup for everyone. Whether its Mitch, Kessler, Richards, Kat, Sengun, etc theyd all have some trouble defending the perimeter like that.

What would your plan be then? If Kessler is too expensive then we move on, but Id take my chances with his health and potential over Mitch.

Small ball with Randle at the 5 is looking like our best option to beat Boston. Getting Mikal helps us a lot to pull it off now.

One thing that should also be noted with Kessler is that he's one of the worst screeners in the league. That's unacceptable for someone who's already an offensive liability. And he can't defend outside of the paint. That's why Utah went and replaced him with Taylor Hendricks at C who's able to guard 1-5 and can stretch the floor. The reality is that Kessler is an outdated center. Utah has already realized that.

Boston doesn't even need KP like you said and I am glad we didn't go after him because he just got hurt again with a major injury. Dude is just injury prone. If he was healthy then it would be a different conversation. If we got KP we would not have been able to afford Mikal's salary too.

If Julius commits to playing defense more again then sure play him at the 5 some more. Thibs hasnt done it in 4 years though because Julius just hasnt shown enough effort consistently, so we’ll see if OG and Mikal being here change Thibs’ mind.

We’ll agree to disagree on Kessler. He’s not perfect but fits what Thibs likes and does the important center things. We’d still need a center to defend the rim and rebound even if we went with more small ball. Obviously it would be nice to get a guy who can do both, but those are ultra rare.

As far as KP goes it’s just funny that you’re worried about him playing our centers off the court but also saying he’s injury prone and they dont need him. Are you talking about Horford and Kornet then? KP may have missed most of the playoffs but still gave em a good season, and Id take his potential over Mitch or anyone else on the market now still. They got him so cheaply and his contract is very reasonable.

Anyway, we’ll see what happens. Looks like Deuce is on his way out though.

[3toheadmelo]

I wanted Porzingis last summer while you didnt man lol. Now you’re all worried about him. He barely played in the playoffs but they obviously didnt even need him to push it.

The Celtics are a tough matchup for everyone. Whether its Mitch, Kessler, Richards, Kat, Sengun, etc theyd all have some trouble defending the perimeter like that.

What would your plan be then? If Kessler is too expensive then we move on, but Id take my chances with his health and potential over Mitch.

Small ball with Randle at the 5 is looking like our best option to beat Boston. Getting Mikal helps us a lot to pull it off now.

One thing that should also be noted with Kessler is that he's one of the worst screeners in the league. That's unacceptable for someone who's already an offensive liability. And he can't defend outside of the paint. That's why Utah went and replaced him with Taylor Hendricks at C who's able to guard 1-5 and can stretch the floor. The reality is that Kessler is an outdated center. Utah has already realized that.

Boston doesn't even need KP like you said and I am glad we didn't go after him because he just got hurt again with a major injury. Dude is just injury prone. If he was healthy then it would be a different conversation. If we got KP we would not have been able to afford Mikal's salary too.

If Julius commits to playing defense more again then sure play him at the 5 some more. Thibs hasnt done it in 4 years though because Julius just hasnt shown enough effort consistently, so we’ll see if OG and Mikal being here change Thibs’ mind.

We’ll agree to disagree on Kessler. He’s not perfect but fits what Thibs likes and does the important center things. We’d still need a center to defend the rim and rebound even if we went with more small ball. Obviously it would be nice to get a guy who can do both, but those are ultra rare.

As far as KP goes it’s just funny that you’re worried about him playing our centers off the court but also saying he’s injury prone and they dont need him. Are you talking about Horford and Kornet then? KP may have missed most of the playoffs but still gave em a good season, and Id take his potential over Mitch or anyone else on the market now still. They got him so cheaply and his contract is very reasonable.

Anyway, we’ll see what happens. Looks like Deuce is on his way out though.

Randle was pretty solid on defense this year. And we were the best defensive team in the league with him and OG in January. So he's not that big of weak ling you make it seem. And adding another 2 way defender in Mikal (hopefully mikal goes back to playing elite defense) will make our defense even stronger.

We just saw how ineffective Derek Lively was against Boston. Boston exposes rim running centers. The whole starting 5 can score and their drive and kick game is elite which makes rim runners so useless defensively. And Lively is better than Kessler too. So im not really sure how you could watch that and still think a worse C in Kessler is the way to go.

Tbh idc about KP and Im not even sure why you're bringing him up so much. Dude is injury prone and just got another major injury. Not sure how he is relevant to this convo.

[VirginiaKnickFan]

What if we’re thinking of replacing Mitch as the starter with Kessler, and then eventually trading Mitch for a more offensive backup big?

I keep saying it, but we need a starting center. Mitch should be the backup. Kessler is the only defensive one out there now, not that I think Ainge will play nice though.

Kessler is already better than Mitch on offense. Averages more points and shoots better from the line. Id bet he continues to get a little better on that end. Then we can get our Naz Reid/Al Horford type behind him.

If we are replacing Mitch it's a different story. But I actually think a healthy Mitch is better then Kessler right now. Id much rather have Mitch defend Embiid. Kessler blocks shots but does get bullied, can't really set proper screens either. He has more development needed.

Kessler kinda feels overrated to me. He's fine, I just wouldn't pay a premium price that Ainge is asking

Healthy Mitch is basically a myth at this point though. The dude is out there shotgunning beers on instagram now and still looking overweight. He’s a lovable guy but emotionally very immature still. I just dont trust him or want to put our title hopes in his brittleness.

Kessler is only 22, about to be 23, so yeah he is probably a year or two away from really be ready. However he’s younger, healthier, and already great in many defensive/rebounding categories, while showing more promise offensively than Mitch ever has.

Mitch hasnt developed at all, if you wanna talk about development, and is getting worse in important areas like free throws. We can keep him and Kessler for a bit and see how it goes though, if we’re that worried about Embiid.

Im just over Mitch, and Kessler is the only replacement I see out there.

Too bad Kessler plays for Utah though, I see no chance the Knicks meet Ainge's demand for draft picks.

[StlHawksFan]

Whether it's Kessler or another C, I think the reason the Knicks are waiting to give Precious a contract is because they are looking to flip him. If they don't plan on using the full TPMLE then they can give Precious as much as $15.7M. So... since trades need to be even dollar for teams over the first apron, perhaps they want to make sure that they give him the exact dollar amount needed for a trade.

Begley reported that the Knicks have engaged other teams with "higher priced veteran centers" in trade talks. Precious+Deuce+Sims could net more than $22M in matching salary. That's Clint Capela's salary for example.

[RHODEY]

Whether it's Kessler or another C, I think the reason the Knicks are waiting to give Precious a contract is because they are looking to flip him. If they don't plan on using the full TPMLE then they can give Precious as much as $15.7M. So... since trades need to be even dollar for teams over the first apron, perhaps they want to make sure that they give him the exact dollar amount needed for a trade.

Begley reported that the Knicks have engaged other teams with "higher priced veteran centers" in trade talks. Precious+Deuce+Sims could net more than $22M in matching salary. That's Clint Capela's salary for example.

A Capela trade sounds like "move before a move" to me because that dude is cooked.

[StlHawksFan]

Whether it's Kessler or another C, I think the reason the Knicks are waiting to give Precious a contract is because they are looking to flip him. If they don't plan on using the full TPMLE then they can give Precious as much as $15.7M. So... since trades need to be even dollar for teams over the first apron, perhaps they want to make sure that they give him the exact dollar amount needed for a trade.

Begley reported that the Knicks have engaged other teams with "higher priced veteran centers" in trade talks. Precious+Deuce+Sims could net more than $22M in matching salary. That's Clint Capela's salary for example.

A Capela trade sounds like "move before a move" to me because that dude is cooked.

Capela was the best offensive rebounder in the league last year (among qualifying players).

[nykballa2k4]

Whether it's Kessler or another C, I think the reason the Knicks are waiting to give Precious a contract is because they are looking to flip him. If they don't plan on using the full TPMLE then they can give Precious as much as $15.7M. So... since trades need to be even dollar for teams over the first apron, perhaps they want to make sure that they give him the exact dollar amount needed for a trade.

Begley reported that the Knicks have engaged other teams with "higher priced veteran centers" in trade talks. Precious+Deuce+Sims could net more than $22M in matching salary. That's Clint Capela's salary for example.

A Capela trade sounds like "move before a move" to me because that dude is cooked.

Capela was the best offensive rebounder in the league last year (among qualifying players).

Helps when your team can't shoot.

[NYKinMIA]

I just don't see how Kessler is an actual option when dealing with ainge.

[thebuzzardman]

I just don't see how Kessler is an actual option when dealing with ainge.

He's not. That never stops people though.

[StlHawksFan]

A Capela trade sounds like "move before a move" to me because that dude is cooked.

Capela was the best offensive rebounder in the league last year (among qualifying players).

Helps when your team can't shoot.

That means more rebounds in general. He had the highest % of OREBs in the league.

[StlHawksFan]

op should change title to nick richards since he's the much more realistic option

Read on Twitter

I agree. Would be sad to lose Deuce though.

Assuming Deuce for Richards, is the Knicks rotation better than Celtics (at least without KP)?

Bigs
Randle, Robinson, Richards vs Tatum, Harford, Kornet

Wings
Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, DiVincenzo vs. Brown, White, Hauser

Guards
Brunson, Kolek vs. Holiday, Pritchard

Is there a spot you'd prefer the Boston rotation?
What about when KP replaces Kornet?