finestrg wrote:ny-n-md wrote:finestrg wrote:
I definitely like him a lot.. I think he's 100% an NBA player and will be very productive. I think his floor is a productive/serviceable double-double NBA rotation big man ceiling, and the ceiling is something close to Jokic/Vucevic, that type of star production. All he needs is the right opportunity -- he needs to go to a place where he plays right away and to a team that actually believes he's another Jokic/Vucevic.... Heck, I think there's a chance, given the sucess Jokic/Vucevic have in the NBA, that Garza could be a star in the NBA, a legit 20 & 10 guy... I mean look at how favorably he compares to guys like Nikola Jokic and Nikola Vucevic entering the NBA right now. Shoot i think you can very easily make the case that he's further along than either of those two coming into the NBA.. What can those guys do that Garza can't? The post skills, the shooting from distance at a high %, the rebounding... None of these three are great rim protectors, but Garza might have the most to offer in this area of the three --- almost identical size, athleticism and skill with Garza compared to these two. Then you factor in the degree of success he's had in college -- again, TWO TIME college POY, Big Ten POY, consensus all American 1st team player... I dunno man -- Jokic and Vucevic is my proof that not only is Garza an NBA player, but there's a chance he could be a damn good one like these two!
Hearing the rumor now that the Knicks are ready to package some or all of these picks to move up into the top portion of the 1st round for a more high-touted pick. Up to me though, I think I'd resist the urge to do that -- we need so may things. We need better/more productive PG play, better wing play and more productive size down low. I'd use the draft to get that, using all 4 picks:
19 - Johnny Juzang -- love the outside shot and that he can go create his own offense. Love how he stepped up on the big stage, the NCAA Tournament, and put that UCLA team on his back when it counted most -- that was huge!! A huge positive intangible there -- this is a big-time STEP UP guy!!
21 - Chris Duarte -- love the dead-eye 3-pt stroke and the active defense he'd bring. I look at his advanced age as a plus btw. His age and the game he has makes me think he's 100% NBA ready, so less development time here with this guy and more plug and play right away, you'd hope anyway. I know this diesn't always work (Obi Toppin).
32 - Charles Bassey -- could we have our own Clint Capela with this dude (maybe someone who turns out to be even more skilled)?
58 - Luka Garza -- could we be getting something close to Nikola Jokic or Nikola Vucevic with this guy? Yeah man, I think so! I'd even try using 58, cash and a future 2nd rounder to move up into the low 30s/early 40s to get this guy.
That's 2 productive NBA-ready wings who can shoot and score along with two NBA-ready big men... I think drafting these four would allow us to unload quite a few guys like Bullock, Noel, maybe Burks.. Might even be able to see what some kind of package Mitch/Obi/Knox might be able to get us...Together with Luka Vildoza (here's the instant Elf Payton upgrade right here, I don't even need to see him live one game, I trust the Knicks here with this pick-up) and I'm telling you guys, I'd also seriously think about offering Bryce Cotton a contract -- take a good look at what he's been up to in the NBL in Australia the last few years. He's been the most productive player on that whole continent. I think he could be a good offensive-minded replacement backup PG in for Derrick Rose on that 2nd unit. He could also, at 29 next year, provide that same vet presence Rose did (doesn't matter to me that he hasn't been an NBA vet) and I think he'd hold up better over a long season, being a couple of years younger than Rose.
Where did you hear this?
Garza may turn out to be what you believe but giving up Mitch? No sir. He’s the only true paint protection we have. I actually thought of trading Knox to Orlando for Bamba. See whether Thibs can breathe life into his career.
It seems like an eternity from now until the draft!
Looks like just Marc Berman speculation at this point but here's where I saw the bit about trading up in the draft: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2021/6/5/22519041/report-the-knicks-will-look-to-trade-up-in-the-draft
I've also read on other boards the speculation that the Knicks won't want to go to war with so may rookies on the roster next year -- I just happen to disagree with this thinking but can see why the Knicks might feel this way and why others think they might.
I hear ya -- I wouldn't want to deal Mitch either, but my thinking was if we were able to get Bassey (very good shot-blocker here, among other pluses) and Garza, there could be some thought that now that we have the 5 spot covered with some better talent, we could possibly think about dealing Mitch. Or, maybe we keep Mitch and have Bassey and/or Luka Garza play some 4 behind Randle, and still have Mitch to play 5.
Berman really knows nothing and his sources tend to be opposing FO. The only guy who maybe has a inside ear right now is Bagley and Woj.
