Shams - Mikal Bridges extended four-year, $150 million

[Ravenxvirall]

Lot of money for mifail bridges. Jk about the mifail part. Over all I was somewhat disappointed with his regular season but he really picked it up in the playoffs and I expect with an offense that moves the ball more that he can really shine.

[R-DAWG]

Look, if you would have told anyone two years ago that the Knicks would give up control of their draft for 7 years while clogging their future cap sheet sheet for the right to pay OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges a combined $79mm per year - actually correction, 77.5mm per year because Mikal is such a team player - we would have thought Isiah was back in charge.

But as much as the cost of putting this team together makes me cringe, they did go to the conference finals last year and the east is wide open this year. Frankly, this team has a 1, maybe 2 year window with a beat up east and a prime Brunson to make a run to the finals. That’s all that matters.

When these contracts age and these guys have playoff miles on them, second apron issues come into play and we are starting to pay off the Bridges pick debt it has a chance to be dark. So we just need to enjoy this run.

[seren]

You have to look at these in totality. We have a max player in Brunson who is paid 15 million less than he is worth. That opens space to overpay high level role players. This deal is bad only if we don’t simultaneously extend Mitchell. As long as we keep this core and add decent minimum contracts or get production out of rookie contract players, we are a contender.

[KnixinSix]

Look, if you would have told anyone two years ago that the Knicks would give up control of their draft for 7 years while clogging their future cap sheet sheet for the right to pay OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges a combined $79mm per year - actually correction, 77.5mm per year because Mikal is such a team player - we would have thought Isiah was back in charge.

But as much as the cost of putting this team together makes me cringe, they did go to the conference finals last year and the east is wide open this year. Frankly, this team has a 1, maybe 2 year window with a beat up east and a prime Brunson to make a run to the finals. That’s all that matters.

When these contracts age and these guys have playoff miles on them, second apron issues come into play and we are starting to pay off the Bridges pick debt it has a chance to be dark. So we just need to enjoy this run.

In theory if Brown is a better fit for roster construction than Thibs was and then the additions of Yabu and Clarkson this should be a stronger team than last year.

The East went downhill not uphill in terms of strong teams. We have a legit shot of coming out of the East.

[VirginiaKnickFan]

I don't see why we still can't trade for Giannis if that's what he wants. Mikals decent contract would absolutely not be a deal breaker

No valuable picks left to trade. And the Bucks would need picks, as well as young starters.

[spree8]

I don't see why we still can't trade for Giannis if that's what he wants. Mikals decent contract would absolutely not be a deal breaker

No valuable picks left to trade. And the Bucks would need picks, as well as young starters.

3-4 team trade then

[Zenzibar]

[8516knicks]

Mikal's deal frees up money for our last spot. Hoopshype says it's down to Ben S. vs. Landry S. for the last spot. Landry only shot less than 37.5% from 3pts once in 7 years. Last year 39.5% under thibs in 15 mpg. If his usuage goes up (if Brown trusts him) he should be over 40% again. Maybe he can be our sniper in a moving (not iso) offense?

[JayTWill]

Look, if you would have told anyone two years ago that the Knicks would give up control of their draft for 7 years while clogging their future cap sheet sheet for the right to pay OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges a combined $79mm per year - actually correction, 77.5mm per year because Mikal is such a team player - we would have thought Isiah was back in charge.

But as much as the cost of putting this team together makes me cringe, they did go to the conference finals last year and the east is wide open this year. Frankly, this team has a 1, maybe 2 year window with a beat up east and a prime Brunson to make a run to the finals. That’s all that matters.

When these contracts age and these guys have playoff miles on them, second apron issues come into play and we are starting to pay off the Bridges pick debt it has a chance to be dark. So we just need to enjoy this run.

I can't believe you told me it was time to move on from talking about that trade while continuously talking about that trade for the last year

[Luv those Knicks]

Look, if you would have told anyone two years ago that the Knicks would give up control of their draft for 7 years while clogging their future cap sheet sheet for the right to pay OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges a combined $79mm per year - actually correction, 77.5mm per year because Mikal is such a team player - we would have thought Isiah was back in charge.

But as much as the cost of putting this team together makes me cringe, they did go to the conference finals last year and the east is wide open this year. Frankly, this team has a 1, maybe 2 year window with a beat up east and a prime Brunson to make a run to the finals. That’s all that matters.

When these contracts age and these guys have playoff miles on them, second apron issues come into play and we are starting to pay off the Bridges pick debt it has a chance to be dark. So we just need to enjoy this run.

OGA has showed signs of aging and physically starting to break down. Mikal has not, at least, not yet. I think he didn't fit Thibs style all that well, but he did step up for the playoffs. His fallen 3 pt percentage probably had more to do with being asked to be a spot-up shooter, not playing to his strengths. I think his contract will probably be fine.

Would you rather have RJ Barrett back? What about overpaying for Quickley or not signing and letting Philly snag OGA during last year's signing period.

It's hard to build a championship team. I think Leon has gotten us closer than we've been in a long time.

I'm not saying all their moves were perfect, and maybe they could have kept Grimes and not traded him for a rental. I don't think they could have kept Donte given that Mini wanted him in the KAT trade, but with a different roster . . . maybe.

Overall, I think, Leon did a pretty good job building a roster that can fight for a shot at the title. The best shot we've had since the 1990s.

[Knick4Real]

Read on Twitter

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Leon and Aller:

[HEZI]

He can afford a better shooting coach now

[ctorres]

I'm so happy. Mikal is my favorite Knick. Most underrated and underappreciated player in the league IMO

- His wingspan literally won us games in the clutch
- If not the best mid-range game in the league, he is high up there. Look up his shooting chart, it won't lie.
- Sometimes your best attribute is being available, and he is more available that anyone else.
- We had a .600 winning percentage in the 15 games Jalen Brunson was out towards the end of the season. It was in large part because Mikal averaged 21 ppg and 5 apg on 54/38/93 shooting splits during this stretch.

[ctorres]

Mikal's deal frees up money for our last spot. Hoopshype says it's down to Ben S. vs. Landry S. for the last spot. Landry only shot less than 37.5% from 3pts once in 7 years. Last year 39.5% under thibs in 15 mpg. If his usuage goes up (if Brown trusts him) he should be over 40% again. Maybe he can be our sniper in a moving (not iso) offense?

Shamet is at a disadvantage defensively every game. He has to overcompensate with hustle and smarts due to lack of wingspan. I don't see where you find minutes consistently for Shamet if you have both McBride and Clarkson.

To add to this point, I was reading that the market is not great for 6'4 players who are almost strictly shooting guards. Cam Thomas is dealing with this right now. Even Malik Monk who has improved his playmaking in Sacramento doesn't have great trade value and the Kings are having trouble getting Kuminga from the Warriors.

At least with Simmons you can plug him in defensively at all 5 positions, but offensively he must be surrounded by 4 shooting threats at all times.

[MrDollarBills]

Simmons is still a thing? Christ.

[BKlutch]

Simmons is still a thing? Christ.

Then if we do sign him, you'd consider it a plus that he probably won't play for 85 - 90% of the season?

[mpharris36]

I'm so happy. Mikal is my favorite Knick. Most underrated and underappreciated player in the league IMO

- His wingspan literally won us games in the clutch
- If not the best mid-range game in the league, he is high up there. Look up his shooting chart, it won't lie.
- Sometimes your best attribute is being available, and he is more available that anyone else.
- We had a .600 winning percentage in the 15 games Jalen Brunson was out towards the end of the season. It was in large part because Mikal averaged 21 ppg and 5 apg on 54/38/93 shooting splits during this stretch.

Hi Guano!

[sol537]

KAT should renegotiate and extend his deal.... lower the yearly amount and extend the number of years so we could stay under the 2nd apron and remain a contender for longer...

[kNicksGmen]

forget if it was here or on reddit arguing with someone about how there is no way he would take less than the max.

I mean this is the Carmelo discount. Let’s not act like he took 4 years, $120mm.

The person I was arguing with said that no way would he take the max extension - that he would become a free agent so he could get 200+ because that is what OG got etc he didn't take much less than the max extension but every little bit helps.

So compared to that he did take less, assuming teams would have been willing to pay it of course. there's always risk in waiting. same way the brunson "pay cut" was still technically a max extension, he would have had to risk another year to cash in.

[8516knicks]

Mikal's deal frees up money for our last spot. Hoopshype says it's down to Ben S. vs. Landry S. for the last spot. Landry only shot less than 37.5% from 3pts once in 7 years. Last year 39.5% under thibs in 15 mpg. If his usuage goes up (if Brown trusts him) he should be over 40% again. Maybe he can be our sniper in a moving (not iso) offense?

Shamet is at a disadvantage defensively every game. He has to overcompensate with hustle and smarts due to lack of wingspan. I don't see where you find minutes consistently for Shamet if you have both McBride and Clarkson.

At least with Simmons you can plug him in defensively at all positions, but offensively he must be surrounded by 4 shooting threats at all times.

Looked at Simmons stats. Not only doesn't he shoot 3's but he's almost as bad as than Mitch FT shooting!!! His last 22 games, where he played no less than double-digit minutes, he did not have double-digits in any category (pts, rebs, assists). His D? Is it still good? Can he lock down a Donovan Mitchell, a Mobley, a Shai? If so, he's a Maybe. But beyond that, does Brown want to play psychiatrist? And does Leon want to pay a guy who usually maxes out at 58 games or less a season?