Let's talk about how special this roster construction could be

[KnixinSix]

2020-2021 / 41-31 (.569)

-Hired Worldwide Wes, Brock Aller, and Walt Perrin to the FO, moved Scott Perry to GM

-Hired Thibs, Johnny Bryant, Kenny Payne, and Mike Woodson to the coaching staff and I'm sure they brought in their guys

-Took on Ed Davis for a 2nd and traded him to Minnesota for another 2nd

-Resigned Payton (1 year/5 mil) and signed Burks (1 year/6mil), Noel (1 year/5 mil), Rivers (3 years/9 mil)

-Traded a 2020 1st and a 2nd to move up for a UTA 2020 1st pre-draft, and traded pick 23 for 25 and a 2023 2nd on draft day

-Drafted Obi (pick 8) and Quickley (pick 25)

-Traded DSJ and a 2nd for Derrick Rose

-Traded Brazdeikis and Rivers for a 2nd

2021-2022 / 37-45 (.451)

-Traded pick 19 for a 2022 protect 1st (CHA), 21 for 25 and 2024 2nd, and pick 32 for 34 and 36.

-Drafted Grimes (pick 25), Rokas (pick 34 and stash), McBride (pick 36), and Sims (pick 58)

-Extended Randle (4 year/118 mil), Taj (1+1/10 mil), Rose (2+1 years/43 mil) Noel (2+1 years/27 mil) and Burks (2+1 years/30 mil)

-Signed Fournier (3+1 years/73 mil) and Kemba (1+1 years/18 mil)

-Traded Knox and a protected 2023 CHA 1st to Atlanta for Reddish and a 2nd

2022-2023 / 39-27 (.591)

-Hired Gerson Rosas and Rick Brunson to FO and coaching staff

-Traded pick 11 to OKC for 3 2023 protected 1sts (DEN, WAS, DET) and drafted Keels with the 42nd pick

-Traded Kemba and a 2022 1st (Duren), acquired through trading the 2023 DEN pick and 4 2nds, to Detroit for a 2025 protected 1st (MIL)

-Traded Burks, Noel and two 2nd round picks to Detroit for cap space and a protected 2nd

-Signed Jalen Brunson (4 year/104 mil), and Hartenstein (2 year/16 mil)

-Resigned Mitch (4/60 mil), Sims (2+1 years/5 mil) and negotiated an extension with RJ (4 year/120 mil)

-Traded Cam, Svi, Arch, and a protected 2023 NY 1st for Josh Hart

2023-2024 / 50-32 (.609)

- Traded Obi Toppin to the Indiana Pacers for a 2028 2nd round draft pick and a 2029 2nd round draft pick. 2028 2nd-rd pick is least favorable 2029 2nd-rd pick is least favorable

- Signed Donte DiVincenzo to a 4yr/ $46.8 million contract

- Traded R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 2nd round draft pick (Jonathan Mogbo was later selected) to the Toronto Raptors for Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby and Malachi Flynn. Toronto also received a trade exception 2024 2nd-rd pick is DET own New York also received a trade exception

- Waived DaQuan Jeffries

- Signed Taj Gibson to multiple 10 day contracts

- Traded Ryan Arcidiacono, Malachi Flynn, Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes and cash to the Detroit Pistons for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks. New York also receives trade exception. Detroit also received a trade exception

2024 - 2025 / Current season

- Drafted Kyshawn George with the No. 24 pick but dealt him to the Washington Wizards for the No. 26 pick (Dillon Jones)

- Traded Dillon Jones to OKC Thunder No. 51 Pick and 5 future 2nd round picks

- Drafted Pacome Dadiet (1st round pick 28)

- Drafted Tyler Kolek ( 2nd round pick 34)

- Drafted Kevin McCullar Jr. ( 2nd round pick 56)

- Drafted Ariel Hukporti ( 2nd round pick 58. Third to last pick in draft)

- Lost Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency

- Knicks Trade Bojan Bogdanovic, Mamadi Diakite, Shake Milton, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2025, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2027, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2029, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2031, unprotected pick swap in 2028, top-four protected 2025 1st-round pick via Bucks, 2nd round pick in 2025 for Mikal Bridges, Keita Bates-Diop, 2026 2nd-round pick, Draft rights to Juan Pablo Valuet

- Knicks trade Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries, Duane Washington Jr., 2 future second-round picks To charlotte

- Knicks trade Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, Future first-round pick (from Knicks via Pistons) To timberwolves

- Knicks receive James Nnaji (via Hornets) and Karl Anthony Towns (via TWolves)

- Knicks sign Cameron Payne to 1yr/$3 million dollars

- Knicks resign Precious Achiuwa to 1yr/$6 million dollars


Now THAT’S Roster building in only 5 years

Great synopsis of the progression we made from a bad squad under Fizdale (I think) to what we have now. Total transformation.

[NowWHYcee7]

When Mitch comes back, he should come off the bench. Towns is in a groove, no need to mess it up.

[KnixinSix]

what glaring weakness?…his defense is super overrated and KAT is a better passer and offensive player

Rim protection.
KAT 25 minutes at 5
Mitch 23 minutes at the 5
KAT 8 at 4

KAT 30 minutes at the 5
Mitch 18 minutes at the 5
KAT 5 minutes at the 4
OG 30 minutes at the 4
Precious 13 minutes at the 4

It will fluctuate a bit game to game but yeah that certainly could be close to what it may be.

[KnixinSix]

When Mitch comes back, he should come off the bench. Towns is in a groove, no need to mess it up.

That will very likely be the case unless this current starting squad starts floundering badly or can't play any defense at all.

[HopelessKnick]

We didn't just assemble a bunch of star power that doesnt necessarily complement each other well here.

What Leon has culminated over the last 5 years is much deeper than that.

Look at what we have put together:

-Every starter in our lineup is under 30.

-We have (mostly) starters that either durable, fairly durable or a bit injury prone but not super injury prone. Not like Philly as a prime example and much younger than the Bucks.

- We have numerous players who excel in the clutch.

- Our 2 top scorers KAT and Brunson can probably stack up with almost any two on any team right now in the league (at least offensively)

- We have surrounded them by probably the best defensive 2,3,4 in the game in Hart, Bridges, and OG. And each one of these guys has a unique and complimentary quality offensive game to all those around them.

- Multiple players that can play multiple positions both offensively and defensively at a high level.

+1000

I was myself highly critical of the FO prior to the Hart trade and was calling out Leon but he completely won me over. I thought he is too hesitant etc. and was worried that our assets (draft picks etc.) were losing worth over time. I loved the Brunson signing right away and was one of the few who thought the price tag itself was very reasonable as well. And then what he did starting with the Hart trade, DD signing, IHart signing, and then OG, Bridges and KAT trade has been an absolute masterpiece.

He has had as great a run of signings and trades as really the best in business. He took a joke of a team over and turned it into a legit title contender, third in title odds behind Boston and OKC. All players young. Really the only question mark this team has (barring any unforeseen catastrophic injury luck like last year) is Robinson's health. If we can get Robinson to play 25minutes a game and stay healthy for 60 games + playoffs, this team will win it all at some point during the next 5 years. An absolute masterpiece. I don't think there is a single team out there that has two 25-30 points scorers that shoot close to 50% from the field, 40% from 3 and 85% from the line. Once Mitch and Precious are back and Bridges rounds a little more into form we WILL witness januray 2023 like runs over and over again. Keep in mind Leon did not have a single top 10 pick to work with even.

[sol537]

We didn't just assemble a bunch of star power that doesnt necessarily complement each other well here.

What Leon has culminated over the last 5 years is much deeper than that.

Look at what we have put together:

-Every starter in our lineup is under 30.

-We have (mostly) starters that either durable, fairly durable or a bit injury prone but not super injury prone. Not like Philly as a prime example and much younger than the Bucks.

- We have numerous players who excel in the clutch.

- Our 2 top scorers KAT and Brunson can probably stack up with almost any two on any team right now in the league (at least offensively)

- We have surrounded them by probably the best defensive 2,3,4 in the game in Hart, Bridges, and OG. And each one of these guys has a unique and complimentary quality offensive game to all those around them.

- Multiple players that can play multiple positions both offensively and defensively at a high level.

+1000

I was myself highly critical of the FO prior to the Hart trade and was calling out Leon but he completely won me over. I thought he is too hesitant etc. and was worried that our assets (draft picks etc.) were losing worth over time. I loved the Brunson signing right away and was one of the few who thought the price tag itself was very reasonable as well. And then what he did starting with the Hart trade, DD signing, IHart signing, and then OG, Bridges and KAT trade has been an absolute masterpiece.

He has had as great a run of signings and trades as really the best in business. He took a joke of a team over and turned it into a legit title contender, third in title odds behind Boston and OKC. All players young. Really the only question mark this team has (barring any unforeseen catastrophic injury luck like last year) is Robinson's health. If we can get Robinson to play 25minutes a game and stay healthy for 60 games + playoffs, this team will win it all at some point during the next 5 years. An absolute masterpiece. I don't think there is a single team out there that has two 25-30 points scorers that shoot close to 50% from the field, 40% from 3 and 85% from the line. Once Mitch and Precious are back and Bridges rounds a little more into form we WILL witness januray 2023 like runs over and over again. Keep in mind Leon did not have a single top 10 pick to work with even.

Yeah... absolute masterclass performance by Leon and co. up there with any GM stretch in history. I know Miami got their big three through player collusion and GSW got that huge cap bump to get KD in there, but this stretch is up there.

The only major missteps were the Fournier and Kemba signings along with some missed draft picks but we hit on way more than we missed so our draft record also rivals some of the best drafting front offices out there.

It was the combination of trades, free agent signings, player development, and drafting that got us here. You need all four and we got all four. Incredible. Just incredible.

[8516knicks]

We didn't just assemble a bunch of star power that doesnt necessarily complement each other well here.

What Leon has culminated over the last 5 years is much deeper than that.

Look at what we have put together:

-Every starter in our lineup is under 30.

-We have (mostly) starters that either durable, fairly durable or a bit injury prone but not super injury prone. Not like Philly as a prime example and much younger than the Bucks.

- We have numerous players who excel in the clutch.

- Our 2 top scorers KAT and Brunson can probably stack up with almost any two on any team right now in the league (at least offensively)

- We have surrounded them by probably the best defensive 2,3,4 in the game in Hart, Bridges, and OG. And each one of these guys has a unique and complimentary quality offensive game to all those around them.

- Multiple players that can play multiple positions both offensively and defensively at a high level.

+1000

I was myself highly critical of the FO prior to the Hart trade and was calling out Leon but he completely won me over. I thought he is too hesitant etc. and was worried that our assets (draft picks etc.) were losing worth over time. I loved the Brunson signing right away and was one of the few who thought the price tag itself was very reasonable as well. And then what he did starting with the Hart trade, DD signing, IHart signing, and then OG, Bridges and KAT trade has been an absolute masterpiece.

He has had as great a run of signings and trades as really the best in business. He took a joke of a team over and turned it into a legit title contender, third in title odds behind Boston and OKC. All players young. Really the only question mark this team has (barring any unforeseen catastrophic injury luck like last year) is Robinson's health. If we can get Robinson to play 25minutes a game and stay healthy for 60 games + playoffs, this team will win it all at some point during the next 5 years. An absolute masterpiece. I don't think there is a single team out there that has two 25-30 points scorers that shoot close to 50% from the field, 40% from 3 and 85% from the line. Once Mitch and Precious are back and Bridges rounds a little more into form we WILL witness januray 2023 like runs over and over again. Keep in mind Leon did not have a single top 10 pick to work with even.

AND HE DID IT ALL WITHOUT A #1 OR #2 OR #3 OR #4 OR #5 OR #6 OR #7 OR #8 OR #9 TOP DRAFT PICK!!!

[KnixinSix]

We didn't just assemble a bunch of star power that doesnt necessarily complement each other well here.

What Leon has culminated over the last 5 years is much deeper than that.

Look at what we have put together:

-Every starter in our lineup is under 30.

-We have (mostly) starters that either durable, fairly durable or a bit injury prone but not super injury prone. Not like Philly as a prime example and much younger than the Bucks.

- We have numerous players who excel in the clutch.

- Our 2 top scorers KAT and Brunson can probably stack up with almost any two on any team right now in the league (at least offensively)

- We have surrounded them by probably the best defensive 2,3,4 in the game in Hart, Bridges, and OG. And each one of these guys has a unique and complimentary quality offensive game to all those around them.

- Multiple players that can play multiple positions both offensively and defensively at a high level.

+1000

I was myself highly critical of the FO prior to the Hart trade and was calling out Leon but he completely won me over. I thought he is too hesitant etc. and was worried that our assets (draft picks etc.) were losing worth over time. I loved the Brunson signing right away and was one of the few who thought the price tag itself was very reasonable as well. And then what he did starting with the Hart trade, DD signing, IHart signing, and then OG, Bridges and KAT trade has been an absolute masterpiece.

He has had as great a run of signings and trades as really the best in business. He took a joke of a team over and turned it into a legit title contender, third in title odds behind Boston and OKC. All players young. Really the only question mark this team has (barring any unforeseen catastrophic injury luck like last year) is Robinson's health. If we can get Robinson to play 25minutes a game and stay healthy for 60 games + playoffs, this team will win it all at some point during the next 5 years. An absolute masterpiece. I don't think there is a single team out there that has two 25-30 points scorers that shoot close to 50% from the field, 40% from 3 and 85% from the line. Once Mitch and Precious are back and Bridges rounds a little more into form we WILL witness januray 2023 like runs over and over again. Keep in mind Leon did not have a single top 10 pick to work with even.

Yeah... absolute masterclass performance by Leon and co. up there with any GM stretch in history. I know Miami got their big three through player collusion and GSW got that huge cap bump to get KD in there, but this stretch is up there.

The only major missteps were the Fournier and Kemba signings along with some missed draft picks but we hit on way more than we missed so our draft record also rivals some of the best drafting front offices out there.

It was the combination of trades, free agent signings, player development, and drafting that got us here. You need all four and we got all four. Incredible. Just incredible.

Really well run organizations with good coaching generally get players playing better when they get developed in their system. Brunson, DDV , Randle etc. each one of these guys had career years with this organization.

I expect Bridges to start playing really well soon. His D has already picked up last few games.

OG now a year in looks fantastic.

[RHODEY]

- Our 2 top scorers KAT and Brunson can probably stack up with almost any two on any team right now in the league (at least offensively)

[RHODEY]

+1000

I was myself highly critical of the FO prior to the Hart trade and was calling out Leon but he completely won me over. I thought he is too hesitant etc. and was worried that our assets (draft picks etc.) were losing worth over time. I loved the Brunson signing right away and was one of the few who thought the price tag itself was very reasonable as well. And then what he did starting with the Hart trade, DD signing, IHart signing, and then OG, Bridges and KAT trade has been an absolute masterpiece.

He has had as great a run of signings and trades as really the best in business. He took a joke of a team over and turned it into a legit title contender, third in title odds behind Boston and OKC. All players young. Really the only question mark this team has (barring any unforeseen catastrophic injury luck like last year) is Robinson's health. If we can get Robinson to play 25minutes a game and stay healthy for 60 games + playoffs, this team will win it all at some point during the next 5 years. An absolute masterpiece. I don't think there is a single team out there that has two 25-30 points scorers that shoot close to 50% from the field, 40% from 3 and 85% from the line. Once Mitch and Precious are back and Bridges rounds a little more into form we WILL witness januray 2023 like runs over and over again. Keep in mind Leon did not have a single top 10 pick to work with even.

Yeah... absolute masterclass performance by Leon and co. up there with any GM stretch in history. I know Miami got their big three through player collusion and GSW got that huge cap bump to get KD in there, but this stretch is up there.

The only major missteps were the Fournier and Kemba signings along with some missed draft picks but we hit on way more than we missed so our draft record also rivals some of the best drafting front offices out there.

It was the combination of trades, free agent signings, player development, and drafting that got us here. You need all four and we got all four. Incredible. Just incredible.

Really well run organizations with good coaching generally get players playing better when they get developed in their system. Brunson, DDV , Randle etc. each one of these guys had career years with this organization.

I expect Bridges to start playing really well soon. His D has already picked up last few games.

OG now a year in looks fantastic.

I hear you but I think Bridges has already been playing really well ...dude is a 3rd option we cant expect much more...atleast offensively from him.

[Fat Kat]

Read on Twitter

[KnixinSix]

Yeah... absolute masterclass performance by Leon and co. up there with any GM stretch in history. I know Miami got their big three through player collusion and GSW got that huge cap bump to get KD in there, but this stretch is up there.

The only major missteps were the Fournier and Kemba signings along with some missed draft picks but we hit on way more than we missed so our draft record also rivals some of the best drafting front offices out there.

It was the combination of trades, free agent signings, player development, and drafting that got us here. You need all four and we got all four. Incredible. Just incredible.

Really well run organizations with good coaching generally get players playing better when they get developed in their system. Brunson, DDV , Randle etc. each one of these guys had career years with this organization.

I expect Bridges to start playing really well soon. His D has already picked up last few games.

OG now a year in looks fantastic.

I hear you but I think Bridges has already been playing really well ...dude is a 3rd option we cant expect much more...atleast offensively from him.

You are right I just remembered his D improving but the O apparently was really good too for a 3rd option

[8516knicks]

Perfect

NJ kid but he didn't pick Nova. (But then, again, did we really need him? )

[KnixinSix]

Expanding on what I posted before ....

Mutliple directions they can go when Mitch/Precious return (if there is no trade)

22-24 minutes of game
5 Towns
4 OG
3 Bridges
2 Hart
1 Brunson

5-7 minutes of game
5 Towns
4 Precious (becomes your rim protector)
3 OG
2 Bridges/Hart
1 Brunson/Payne

3-5 minutes of game
5 Mitch
4 Towns
3 OG
2 Bridges/Hart
1 Brunson/Payne

Remaining 15 minutes KAT on bench....


5 Mitch/Precious
4 OG
3 Bridges
2 Hart/McBride
1 Brunson/Payne

*So even with keeping our starting squad basically the same as now and KAT playing almost exclusively at the 5, at minimum you will get at least one of Mitch or Precious to provide a higher level of rim protection for 25 ish minutes a game.

[Jose7]

Great thread…

This is just year 1..we have a whole offseason to build towards with a pipeline of young talent with particular skills sets….


Special time for Knicks basketball

[Jalen Bluntson]

Great thread…

This is just year 1..we have a whole offseason to build towards with a pipeline of young talent with particular skills sets….


Special time for Knicks basketball

Could actually merge this with the other thread.

I don't know what more fans want from this team right now but, we are doing well and looking to get better. I'm enjoying this ride so far almost as much as last January. Like, maybe more because I know this group will be together for more than a month. For a few years this core is locked in.

Just a great time to be a fan. 1999 was the last dance. 2000 was the end of the playoff runs every year. From 1985-2000 they won a lot and made two finals. We were in the desert for 20+ years. Here we are a QUARTER OF A CENTURY later and we are as close to a title team as we have ever been since our last one except for 94 & 99. I'm a long for the ride.