Deeeez Knicks wrote:thebuzzardman wrote:Deeeez Knicks wrote:
Randle would fit, but don’t think he is one of our bigger needs and I would not want to pay him a big contract. It would almost compound our problem having too many bigs. We really need a good wing player and more young guards/wings. If we lock up Randle long term with a big contract, it would just leave less money to add quality wings/guards
In a vacuum where the Knicks didn't have to worry about his $ impacting the future, I guess he'd be good - if they dealt a big to get him. I don't see him as adding to a "big man glut" because the Knicks issues isn't too many bigs, but specifically too many bigs that are Centers and Centers only - Kanter, WHG, KOQ and Noah. None of those guys can play PF, at ALL. Now, that's fine, because KP can, but what the Knicks need is a PF off the bench who truly is a PF, who can play some defense, has some real height, and isn't garbage on offense. Look what the Knicks have to do if KP is out with injury, or who comes off the bench for him - LFT.
Backup PF is clearly a need.
The Knick obvious need is a SF. A playmaking SF is the obvious first choice, but picking 8-10, that chances of a playmaking SF being available are pretty slim. So, from there I move onto a SF who can defend, with wingspan, who can reliable hit outside shots.
I assume this is the target in the draft, so that's why I considered Randle as a potential backup PF target, but then Randle , with his contract coming up has to be viewed as a "last piece" because the Knicks would cap out and be over to resign him if they traded for him, and even if the Knicks land a quality SF in the draft, they still aren't that player and Randle away from being a complete team.
PF is a need, but I think I would prefer a PF/SF more then a PF/C if we are investing big…we have guys like that in Beasley and LT, but we could def use an upgrade over them. Not that we can get him, but someone like Kuzma would be perfect and I would prefer someone like that over a PF/C like Randle. I’d look to pay for a player like that if we are paying big and maybe just add another PF for cheap if needed.
Else, true PF’s are a dying breed anyway or they end up playing C like Randle and even KP. Teams def need players like that, but we already have one of the best players in the league at that position. True, we are kinda screwed when he is out but I don’t know if there is much we can do to fix that at this time. KP just brings so much production that can’t be replaced easily.
When I say PF, I mean an athletic PF who can defend modern NBA PF's, but with some height. The Knicks seems to give up rebounding and shotblocking when LFT comes in - he defends, he's ok at rebounding, but other teams seems to have tall young guys who contest and defend, where the Knicks really don't.
I don't consider LFT or Beasley part of the future, so filling this spot at PF, PF/C or PF/SF type is more about having that decent defender with some height and athleticism to guard 4's for the future and not this year. Beasely and LFT are fine (well, not really) for this year. I'm saying moving forward, or for next year, in terms of roster balance, Knicks need someone who can truly play PF, off the bench, with some height. Of course SF is the biggest need. Maybe they can address both in the draft, at like 10th and 33rd, but not sure. But overall, I think they need another athletic forward with height while shedding one, if not two, centers.