Trades and Transactions 2025 IV

[NotDikembeSayNo]

We triggered the second apron. We can’t trade more than one player in a trade. Unless it’s KAT straight up there’s no way for us to get him even if we want him.

[god shammgod]

We triggered the second apron. We can’t trade more than one player in a trade. Unless it’s KAT straight up there’s no way for us to get him even if we want him.

don't think that's true because we didn't go above it yet

By utilizing the midlevel exception the Knicks triggered the second apron, although they remain below it in total salaries. With Clarkson’s veteran minimum, the Knicks payroll is now $204 million, clear of the $207,824,000 threshold. According to a league source there is virtually no way for the Knicks to avoid the second apron even with days left before these contracts officially are in place — that it would require a move like Milwaukee made Tuesday, waiving and stretching Damian Lillard, to get the team sufficiently under the cap to make it work, meaning that the Knicks would have to sacrifice one of their highest-paid stars to fit in Yabusele.

The trigger means the Knicks can not exceed the second apron — hard-capped at that number. But they do avoid the restrictive CBA rules of the second apron by staying below it.

but still, there would be no way to add guys afterwards which would make the team extremely thin. and defensively it wouldn't be good enough. it's the only thing i don't like about this off season. the defense is reliant on mitch/og staying healthy because they are it.

[mpharris36]

We triggered the second apron. We can’t trade more than one player in a trade. Unless it’s KAT straight up there’s no way for us to get him even if we want him.

don't think that's true because we didn't go above it yet

By utilizing the midlevel exception the Knicks triggered the second apron, although they remain below it in total salaries. With Clarkson’s veteran minimum, the Knicks payroll is now $204 million, clear of the $207,824,000 threshold. According to a league source there is virtually no way for the Knicks to avoid the second apron even with days left before these contracts officially are in place — that it would require a move like Milwaukee made Tuesday, waiving and stretching Damian Lillard, to get the team sufficiently under the cap to make it work, meaning that the Knicks would have to sacrifice one of their highest-paid stars to fit in Yabusele.

The trigger means the Knicks can not exceed the second apron — hard-capped at that number. But they do avoid the restrictive CBA rules of the second apron by staying below it.

but still, there would be no way to add guys afterwards which would make the team extremely thin. and defensively it wouldn't be good enough. it's the only thing i don't like about this off season. the defense is reliant on mitch/og staying healthy because they are it.

excuse?

[HopelessKnick]

bye kat

Keep in mind...from what is being said it seems like this could legit be Lebron's last season. If he retires after 1 year, you are essentially left with a non-contender and due to the harsh cap rules we won't be able to sign anyone near the quality off KAT. I do think we'd be favorites to win it all but it could be a single shot. For me, given that injuries can strike your team at any time, you wouldn't even be guaranteed that title shot.

It is probably too big a risk at this point. The math does not really add up here. If James committed to play at least 2 more seasons it may be worth contemplating, but only for 1 shot it seems too risky.

And keep in mind if you trade KAT for Lebron, then you essentially are going with Mitch/Yabu/Huk at the Center spot into the season. I could only see this working out if the team is legitimately convinced Huk can easily handle 20minutes a game.

as much as i'm not thrilled with kat i have to agree. if lebron retires after a year it'll be bad unless we win it all.

Same here....I think ultimately it seems the defensive woes are too much to overcome but it seems the FO is doubling down on KAT. I read somewhere the emphasis during the coaching search was on how potential candidates would maximize KAT so they are likely going to give it another shot.

I mean technically JB and KAT should mash well, really both of them can play on ball and offball. Let's just hope we can be the league's top offense or close to it, then we may have just enough defensively to pull it out. Keep in mind that in the east we won't be facing any super team or so (so far). And in the finals anything would be possible.

[Jeffrey]

PLEASE NO!!!

I DO NOT want Lebron using us to cement HIS OWN image in history!!

IF he came here and IF he won a championship, the narrative would be all about him. The headlines would be that "LEBRON won" instead of "the KNICKS won." There would always be an asterisk after the win, and the history books would be all about how Lebron saved us.

I hope this rumor is false. No thank you, Lebron!!

Wait... your main concern with acquiring a 40 year old Lebron is what the narrative would be if we won a championship with him?

It doesn’t matter how and who gets us a chip for me. That should be the least of concerns.

Oh man... purity rings are true to fans. We haven't had a ring in 50 years and we're already making sure that there's additional obstacles to get this ring.

[god shammgod]

We triggered the second apron. We can’t trade more than one player in a trade. Unless it’s KAT straight up there’s no way for us to get him even if we want him.

don't think that's true because we didn't go above it yet

By utilizing the midlevel exception the Knicks triggered the second apron, although they remain below it in total salaries. With Clarkson’s veteran minimum, the Knicks payroll is now $204 million, clear of the $207,824,000 threshold. According to a league source there is virtually no way for the Knicks to avoid the second apron even with days left before these contracts officially are in place — that it would require a move like Milwaukee made Tuesday, waiving and stretching Damian Lillard, to get the team sufficiently under the cap to make it work, meaning that the Knicks would have to sacrifice one of their highest-paid stars to fit in Yabusele.

The trigger means the Knicks can not exceed the second apron — hard-capped at that number. But they do avoid the restrictive CBA rules of the second apron by staying below it.

but still, there would be no way to add guys afterwards which would make the team extremely thin. and defensively it wouldn't be good enough. it's the only thing i don't like about this off season. the defense is reliant on mitch/og staying healthy because they are it.

excuse?

he had his moments in the playoffs for sure but he also got torched a lot. he's not quick enough for all the little guards he's asked to guard and he's not as strong as some of the wing guys. and he doesn't have the effect on the overall team defense that og and mitch have.

[mpharris36]

don't think that's true because we didn't go above it yet



but still, there would be no way to add guys afterwards which would make the team extremely thin. and defensively it wouldn't be good enough. it's the only thing i don't like about this off season. the defense is reliant on mitch/og staying healthy because they are it.

excuse?

he had his moments in the playoffs for sure but he also got torched a lot. he's not quick enough for all the little guards he's asked to guard and he's not as strong as some of the wing guys. and he doesn't have the effect on the overall team defense that og and mitch have.

I would say more than "moments" (he basically won game 1 in overtime with defense alone).

Read on Twitter

During the regular season I would say he probably directly closed out 5 or so game with defense as well. Was he misclassed by Thibs a lot by just putting him as a POA defender playing 40 minutes a night sure. He certainly isn't the impact defender that Mitch is at the RIM and OG is I agree. But he is an important defender on this team that carries a huge role every night...the guy had to navigate the most screens in the entire NBA by a large margin.

Also Deuce is pretty important as a POA defender, we just didn't use him enough in that role.

[3toheadmelo]

yep

bye kat

Keep in mind...from what is being said it seems like this could legit be Lebron's last season. If he retires after 1 year, you are essentially left with a non-contender and due to the harsh cap rules we won't be able to sign anyone near the quality off KAT. I do think we'd be favorites to win it all but it could be a single shot. For me, given that injuries can strike your team at any time, you wouldn't even be guaranteed that title shot.

It is probably too big a risk at this point. The math does not really add up here. If James committed to play at least 2 more seasons it may be worth contemplating, but only for 1 shot it seems too risky.

And keep in mind if you trade KAT for Lebron, then you essentially are going with Mitch/Yabu/Huk at the Center spot into the season. I could only see this working out if the team is legitimately convinced Huk can easily handle 20minutes a game.

I would take the risk even if it’s a 1 year window. But I don’t think it’s happening either way. The only big chip player the Knicks seem to be interested in is Giannis.

[spree8]

Despicable how people wouldn’t care if LeBron came here to ride our coattails. The guy just came out complaining about ring culture and here he is getting ready to leave the Lakers to chase another ring? Gtfo here I want a ring but not at the cost of him being the fake savior. Dude is the ultimate opportunist.

[god shammgod]

excuse?

he had his moments in the playoffs for sure but he also got torched a lot. he's not quick enough for all the little guards he's asked to guard and he's not as strong as some of the wing guys. and he doesn't have the effect on the overall team defense that og and mitch have.

I would say more than "moments" (he basically won game 1 in overtime with defense alone).

Read on Twitter

During the regular season I would say he probably directly closed out 5 or so game with defense as well. Was he misclassed by Thibs a lot by just putting him as a POA defender playing 40 minutes a night sure. He certainly isn't the impact defender that Mitch is at the RIM and OG is I agree. But he is an important defender on this team that carries a huge role every night...the guy had to navigate the most screens in the entire NBA by a large margin.

Also Deuce is pretty important as a POA defender, we just didn't use him enough in that role.

we sort of agree then. my point was if you're trading him, hart and mitch or og and mitch for bron, you just don't have enough defense afterwards to win a championship. it's no good.

[HopelessKnick]

Despicable how people wouldn’t care if LeBron came here to ride our coattails. The guy just came out complaining about ring culture and here he is getting ready to leave the Lakers to chase another ring? Gtfo here I want a ring but not at the cost of him being the fake savior. Dude is the ultimate opportunist.

There are people here that are in their 40s, 50s and 60s. The Knicks had like 2 legit title runs in the past 40 years. If a trade is possible that provides us with 2 legit title runs than we are going to take it no matter how despicable some here find the "narrative". I couldn't care less about LBJ or his narrative. Winning a title is all I care about.

And no , there are no limits to how low I would sink for that.

[thebuzzardman]

Despicable how people wouldn’t care if LeBron came here to ride our coattails. The guy just came out complaining about ring culture and here he is getting ready to leave the Lakers to chase another ring? Gtfo here I want a ring but not at the cost of him being the fake savior. Dude is the ultimate opportunist.

There are people here that are in their 40s, 50s and 60s. The Knicks had like 2 legit title runs in the past 40 years. If a trade is possible that provides us with 2 legit title runs than we are going to take it no matter how despicable some here find the "narrative". I couldn't care less about LBJ or his narrative. Winning a title is all I care about.

And no , there are no limits to how low I would sink for that.

DO IT FOR WINGO!!!!!!!!!!

[mpharris36]

he had his moments in the playoffs for sure but he also got torched a lot. he's not quick enough for all the little guards he's asked to guard and he's not as strong as some of the wing guys. and he doesn't have the effect on the overall team defense that og and mitch have.

I would say more than "moments" (he basically won game 1 in overtime with defense alone).

Read on Twitter

During the regular season I would say he probably directly closed out 5 or so game with defense as well. Was he misclassed by Thibs a lot by just putting him as a POA defender playing 40 minutes a night sure. He certainly isn't the impact defender that Mitch is at the RIM and OG is I agree. But he is an important defender on this team that carries a huge role every night...the guy had to navigate the most screens in the entire NBA by a large margin.

Also Deuce is pretty important as a POA defender, we just didn't use him enough in that role.

we sort of agree then. my point was if you're trading him, hart and mitch or og and mitch for bron, you just don't have enough defense afterwards to win a championship. it's no good.

I agree with you...I was more pushing back that Mitch and OG are the only two...it takes village to try to make the team respectable defensive when you have two weaker defenders with your starting lineup (knicks were an average defense last year with Mitch missing most of the season and it wasnt just OG carrying the load which was point even though he is pretty impactful). I think I would at least put Mikal in that group and an argument can be made for Deuce and even Hart (not on defense but just for the dirty work).

LeBron for example at his age isn't doing the dirty work. He can still score and create for other but he just doesn't do the little things at his age anymore that really are the different so acquiring anyone that make 50+ MM that removes 2 or 3 key rotational players from the team just doesn't make any sense.

And trading KAT for LeBron doesn't make any sense either.

KAT headlining a Giannis trade is a different story. But I just don't see it from MIL POV.

I wasn't in favor of KAT for KD so its not like LeBron makes more sense than KD.

[god shammgod]

Kd made more sense. It’s not gonna happen.

[3toheadmelo]

Despicable how people wouldn’t care if LeBron came here to ride our coattails. The guy just came out complaining about ring culture and here he is getting ready to leave the Lakers to chase another ring? Gtfo here I want a ring but not at the cost of him being the fake savior. Dude is the ultimate opportunist.

Boo this man

[mpharris36]

Kd made more sense. It’s not gonna happen.

agreed and if the Knicks weren't going to trade KAT for KD why would they then trade KAT for LeBron.

It's not going to happen because its just too damn risky....not only are you basically giving yourself 1 year your are now relying on Mitch to stay healthy too so its risky on two fronts. And we risk all that when you had a team that just missed the finals and the east is even more open than last year?

[KnixinSix]

That would be a highly questionable deal. We can't degrade our depth like that. Also I feel like we are out our bare minimum defensively to truly contend for a title. We can't give up 3 of our 5 premier defenders.

Again I think if the Knicks wanted to go this type of route they would have gone for Durant.

Durant is not as good a defender, is more a prima donna where you never know what he's thinking or constantly changing his mind and there was bad blood there .

LeBron is more durable too.

I didn't want Durant but Lebron added to this squad not giving up KAT/Brunson is a monumental win.

I don't see the fit defensively. We'd be super weak defensively. If you swap Lebron for KAT in a 3way then yes, we'd be as legit title contenders as they come and I would actually have us as favorites with the rest of the rotation. But Brunson-Lebron-KAT would be IMO too weak defensively.

Pacers were not exactly a stud defensive team. It all depends on how the coach rotates players and utilizes them defensively. I trust a Mike Brown a whole lot more to figure that out than Thibs.

[DaGawd]

we kidnap antentokunmpo yet? (no thanasis)

[spree8]

Despicable how people wouldn’t care if LeBron came here to ride our coattails. The guy just came out complaining about ring culture and here he is getting ready to leave the Lakers to chase another ring? Gtfo here I want a ring but not at the cost of him being the fake savior. Dude is the ultimate opportunist.

There are people here that are in their 40s, 50s and 60s. The Knicks had like 2 legit title runs in the past 40 years. If a trade is possible that provides us with 2 legit title runs than we are going to take it no matter how despicable some here find the "narrative". I couldn't care less about LBJ or his narrative. Winning a title is all I care about.

And no , there are no limits to how low I would sink for that.

Sad

[thebuzzardman]

Despicable how people wouldn’t care if LeBron came here to ride our coattails. The guy just came out complaining about ring culture and here he is getting ready to leave the Lakers to chase another ring? Gtfo here I want a ring but not at the cost of him being the fake savior. Dude is the ultimate opportunist.

There are people here that are in their 40s, 50s and 60s. The Knicks had like 2 legit title runs in the past 40 years. If a trade is possible that provides us with 2 legit title runs than we are going to take it no matter how despicable some here find the "narrative". I couldn't care less about LBJ or his narrative. Winning a title is all I care about.

And no , there are no limits to how low I would sink for that.

Who is going to make the glory hole joke?