Landry Shamet, Warren and Okeke Waived

[RHODEY]

How about Matt Ryan?

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[B8RcDeMktfxC]

I'm guessing these waives have a lot to do with Huk & Dadiet looking like they can contribute now, at least, from the end of the bench. You don't always get that from the youngest kid in the draft and the last piayer taken in the draft, but it looks like those 2 extend NY's bench right now, which gives NY some flexibility.

Maybe they go for Lonnie or maybe they just keep the spot open and see who gets released later.

Celtics are apparently going into the season with 14 players on their roster. The Knicks might do the same. Article on the Celtics decision here:

https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/lonnie-walker-iv-waived-roster-luxury-tax/658941/

Good post. These rookies are feeling like found money.

Great description -- "found money" couldn't describe Hukporti and now Dadiet any better. Kolek too somewhat, although he's looked a little further along/NBA ready than these other two guys going back to summer league.

I was the first one, esp. after watching him in Summer league, to say Dadiet's going to need some time. But after the two standout pre-season games he's had, coupled with Shamet's injury and the Knicks waiving him, I think he's very much in play now for rotation time, unless they come up for something better. And remember -- we're talking 10-15 mins tops here for Dadiet, until he hopefully shows he should get even more time than that. I think that's doable.

So with Dadiet's sudden emergence, I'm not sure Lonnie Walker is the guy we need right now. If we got Walker, I'm ok with it -- he's got some talent, can shoot and score and would add to that 2nd unit -- I'm just a little more concerned with the state of our front court after Precious just went down with the pulled hammy. To me, that's an even bigger blow... I mean even with Achiuwa, our group of bigs was already thin re: any real two-way talent besides KAT (Mitch is injured, Achiuwa now injured and Sims and Huk are both raw).

Just curious if anyone sees it this way. Thinking with Dadiet, ok next man up--give us some shooting for 10-15 mins a night if needed. I now think he could handle that...Curious to see what you guys think of these two long-shots we could go after for a little more front court depth:

Chimezie Metu - 6'10" 230 lb. PF/C. 27 years old. Has some NBA experience, most recently with Detroit, currently playing overseas for FC Barsolona. I believe he's a 6-yr NBA vet so with what we have left to spend making sure we avoid the next apron, that's in the ballpark for us as far as a vet goes (Warren, Marcus Morris -- these guys are 10+ year vets, so if we signed one of these two and convert Hukporti to a standard contract, we'd be in the next apron). So this would entail buying him out of his contract with FC Barsolona and then signing him to a vet min deal equal to what a 6-yr NBA vet min player would make. Would he accept this to come back to the show? Just looking over the available FA PF/Cs available, this guys a cut above the others in my humble opinion. To me, he's on Precious Achiuwa's level as a player, maybe a cut above Achiuwa offensively. I think he's a big that could help us. And no offense to Sims or Hukporti, Metu is better than either of those guys. I think he's very underrated to be honest with you. So if we got him, when Precious makes it back, I think I'd start Precious next to KAT in the starting unit at the 4 (Hart goes back to the 2nd unit where he would fit better), and then we could continue to feature Metu as first big off the bench.
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Another FA big that caught my eye is Aleksej Pokusevski. You guys all remember this dude with OKC a couple of years ago, right? 7 footer (only 210 lbs) but long and skilled. Per Wikipedia, he had knee trouble in the past overseas prior to the NBA and then suffered a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture in his left leg back in December of 2022. Waived by the Thunder in February 2024. Picked up by the Hornets, played 18 games for them, then waived by Charlotte in July. Currently playing for Partizan overseas. So this would require the same path as signing Metu -- we'd have to try to buy him out of his deal with Partizan and then offer him the equivalent of 4-year NBA vet min contract or a little more provided we don't enter the next apron. Like Metu, would that be enough to entice him to come back to the NBA? Hey trust me i get it with this dude --I get he a big injury risk and more of a wild card compared to others, just thinking 7 footers with his skill set don't grow on trees.

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I'm the biggest Poku homer on the board. But he'd drive Thibs absolutely nuts. I'd love to see it, but never going to happen.

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

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[B8RcDeMktfxC]

He's a pretty decent shooter/bench scorer, but yeah. Not much else there.

He's good insurance as a 14th or 15th man.

Celtics fans thought they were getting more than an insurance bench depth. Probably somewhere in the middle.

"Lonnie reminds me of Terry Rozier.- It is now a big 6 on the celtics. - Another great moves to Brad Stevens. - If he can be a KCP for us we’ll be hard to beat. - Can't believe this got pulled off helps the second unit massively. - Damn I didn’t even know this happened. A real “microwave” type of player. Can get hot real quick off the bench. I like this signing, well rated around the league. - what a steal! Another scorer from the bench. - 6th man comin thru! Hopin he can bring THAT spark to the second unit. Brad is on a roll! - This dudes layup package is tough. decent defender as well. Glad he's wearing Green! - Stevens strikes gold again for athletic 2 way Wing who shoots 3s with high IQ. Celtics bench is now as good as anyone's, if not the best in the league. - This is an encounter for the Knicks. Smart move."

From what I recall he is pretty much a turnstile defensively which is a no no for a Thibs roster.

This may well have been Boston's calculation too.

[MrDollarBills]

Celtics fans thought they were getting more than an insurance bench depth. Probably somewhere in the middle.

"Lonnie reminds me of Terry Rozier.- It is now a big 6 on the celtics. - Another great moves to Brad Stevens. - If he can be a KCP for us we’ll be hard to beat. - Can't believe this got pulled off helps the second unit massively. - Damn I didn’t even know this happened. A real “microwave” type of player. Can get hot real quick off the bench. I like this signing, well rated around the league. - what a steal! Another scorer from the bench. - 6th man comin thru! Hopin he can bring THAT spark to the second unit. Brad is on a roll! - This dudes layup package is tough. decent defender as well. Glad he's wearing Green! - Stevens strikes gold again for athletic 2 way Wing who shoots 3s with high IQ. Celtics bench is now as good as anyone's, if not the best in the league. - This is an encounter for the Knicks. Smart move."

From what I recall he is pretty much a turnstile defensively which is a no no for a Thibs roster.

This may well have been Boston's calculation too.

Yeah I don't think Mazulla has patience for one way players like that either.

[Richard4444]

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[Richard4444]

Poku is already playing for Partizan.

Metu is playing for Barcelona.

[finestrg]

Good post. These rookies are feeling like found money.

Great description -- "found money" couldn't describe Hukporti and now Dadiet any better. Kolek too somewhat, although he's looked a little further along/NBA ready than these other two guys going back to summer league.

I was the first one, esp. after watching him in Summer league, to say Dadiet's going to need some time. But after the two standout pre-season games he's had, coupled with Shamet's injury and the Knicks waiving him, I think he's very much in play now for rotation time, unless they come up for something better. And remember -- we're talking 10-15 mins tops here for Dadiet, until he hopefully shows he should get even more time than that. I think that's doable.

So with Dadiet's sudden emergence, I'm not sure Lonnie Walker is the guy we need right now. If we got Walker, I'm ok with it -- he's got some talent, can shoot and score and would add to that 2nd unit -- I'm just a little more concerned with the state of our front court after Precious just went down with the pulled hammy. To me, that's an even bigger blow... I mean even with Achiuwa, our group of bigs was already thin re: any real two-way talent besides KAT (Mitch is injured, Achiuwa now injured and Sims and Huk are both raw).

Just curious if anyone sees it this way. Thinking with Dadiet, ok next man up--give us some shooting for 10-15 mins a night if needed. I now think he could handle that...Curious to see what you guys think of these two long-shots we could go after for a little more front court depth:

Chimezie Metu - 6'10" 230 lb. PF/C. 27 years old. Has some NBA experience, most recently with Detroit, currently playing overseas for FC Barsolona. I believe he's a 6-yr NBA vet so with what we have left to spend making sure we avoid the next apron, that's in the ballpark for us as far as a vet goes (Warren, Marcus Morris -- these guys are 10+ year vets, so if we signed one of these two and convert Hukporti to a standard contract, we'd be in the next apron). So this would entail buying him out of his contract with FC Barsolona and then signing him to a vet min deal equal to what a 6-yr NBA vet min player would make. Would he accept this to come back to the show? Just looking over the available FA PF/Cs available, this guys a cut above the others in my humble opinion. To me, he's on Precious Achiuwa's level as a player, maybe a cut above Achiuwa offensively. I think he's a big that could help us. And no offense to Sims or Hukporti, Metu is better than either of those guys. I think he's very underrated to be honest with you. So if we got him, when Precious makes it back, I think I'd start Precious next to KAT in the starting unit at the 4 (Hart goes back to the 2nd unit where he would fit better), and then we could continue to feature Metu as first big off the bench.
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Another FA big that caught my eye is Aleksej Pokusevski. You guys all remember this dude with OKC a couple of years ago, right? 7 footer (only 210 lbs) but long and skilled. Per Wikipedia, he had knee trouble in the past overseas prior to the NBA and then suffered a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture in his left leg back in December of 2022. Waived by the Thunder in February 2024. Picked up by the Hornets, played 18 games for them, then waived by Charlotte in July. Currently playing for Partizan overseas. So this would require the same path as signing Metu -- we'd have to try to buy him out of his deal with Partizan and then offer him the equivalent of 4-year NBA vet min contract or a little more provided we don't enter the next apron. Like Metu, would that be enough to entice him to come back to the NBA? Hey trust me i get it with this dude --I get he a big injury risk and more of a wild card compared to others, just thinking 7 footers with his skill set don't grow on trees.

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I'm the biggest Poku homer on the board. But he'd drive Thibs absolutely nuts. I'd love to see it, but never going to happen.

Love the size and really like the skill level (dude definitely has some unicorn to him) but I fear Poku might be too much of an injury risk and may not be physical enough imo. Agree, probably not a Thibs type of player.

I'd be very happy with Chemize Metu. 6'10', real solid J for a big, plus he can score in other ways too (drives, post-ups, can finish with his left hand). Very underrated imho. I've been a fan of his from afar for a few years now. To me, he's a small notch above Precious Achiuwa (a tad bigger with better offensive skills), but on that level, which is a pretty big jump up from the Sims/Hukporti level of big men. We'd have to buy him out of his FC Barcelona contract, then offer him a vet min deal (he's got 6 years of NBA experience). So another step or two to navigate through but absolutely can be done. Once the buyout's completed, he'd have to agree on vet min deal money for a 6-year player, which I think he would -- you know he'd want back into the NBA!

With KAT, Precious and Metu (and then Sims/Hukporti), I'd feel a lot better about our big man depth... Plus we could use Metu immediately with Precious out 2-4 weeks. To me for this team right now considering what we need for the money we're willing to spend (one vet min player plus converting Hukporti's contract to a standard contract all while staying below the next apron), Metu would be perfect right now.

Walker's an intriguing talent but to me, all considered, Metu > Walker for us right now.

[finestrg]

Poku is already playing for Partizan.

Metu is playing for Barcelona.

I'd be looking for the Knicks to execute a buyout, then sign either guy to a vet minimum deal. I think Metu would be the better fit and the better get for the Knicks at this time.

[rajajackal]

Who is the head of the team's scouting department? I want to give them their flowers. It's early, but Kolek, Dadiet, and Hawktuahporti look like they can be developed into rotation pieces.

[finestrg]

Just saw this on Hoopshype:

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/277713/Keita-Bates-Diop-Appears-To-Be-Odd-Man-Out-For-Timberwolves-Roster

I was happy to find out we acquired him as part of the Bridges deal then bummed out when I found out he was part of the Towns trade.

Not like we have anything to trade to Minny to reacquire him but if they wind up waiving him, I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back at all. Underrated/talented 2-way SF/PF that could gives us some productive mins, at least until Precious makes his way back.

I'm a fan, Keita isn't some scrub, he can play!

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[jvsimonetti0514]

Wonder if Dadiet just ends up playing in that last rotation spot? He’s shown more promise than any of the vets they brought it and it could make more sense.

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

It's a strange start of the year. There seem, even just from looking at players who've passed the Knicks purview, heaps of players who don't have contracts but "should" be in the NBA and even be rotation players, Morris, Walker, Shamet, Doug McD, TJ, probably even Poku

[Fat Kat]

Wonder if Dadiet just ends up playing in that last rotation spot? He’s shown more promise than any of the vets they brought it and it could make more sense.

I hope so. I think he has a ton of potential. If he gets the chance, he could keep the spot in the rotation

[jvsimonetti0514]

Wonder if Dadiet just ends up playing in that last rotation spot? He’s shown more promise than any of the vets they brought it and it could make more sense.

I hope so. I think he has a ton of potential. If he gets the chance, he could keep the spot in the rotation

It makes the bench bigger too. Instead of running out all these 6’-6’4” guys at the 1,2,3 spots with precious eventually playing the 5. He’s gonna bring more upside to the role than the guys that are going to be out of the league next season.

It’s just a lot to ask from an 18 year old. He might be the youngest player in the league right now too. He’ll probably hit a rookie wall at some point too. Maybe that’s when Shamet can be brought back.

[sol537]

Start: KAT, Hart, OG, Bridges, Brunson
Bench: McBride, Payne, Dadiet, Huk

[Fat Kat]

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[spree2kawhi]

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Brock Aller finding new ways to manipulate the CBA agreement

This

This is incredible

[spree2kawhi]

Start: KAT, Hart, OG, Bridges, Brunson
Bench: McBride, Payne, Dadiet, Huk

Even with Achiuwa, that’s an awfully small team. I’m rooting for us to sign Walker regardless, and btw couldn’t we trade Toppin for Bol Bol and save Phoenix some money? That would add 1.8 mil to our payroll… other names could be Zeller, Croder, Justin Holiday and Biyombo.

[Fat Kat]

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