fatalogic wrote:I think people are underestimating how bad things are for the Knicks from a contract negotiations stand point. They have no leverage outside of money. Any agent whose client is approached by them must see dollar signs as soon as the Knicks call. I think the Knicks should have walked away but I understand how they came to that number. Note everything below is from the perspective of THJ representation
1. If I'm Tim's agent I don't even pick up the phone unless we start negotiations at $60 million.
- NY does this because they figure the hawks will match anything in the 50-55 range and they don't know what other offers I have.
2. They traded my client away so I need assurances they are not trying to use me in another move. Also the previous POBO basically stated that THJ was a "Non learner", negatively effecting his standing in the league.
-Enter the trade kicker
3. The Knicks are a rebuilding situation but so are the Hawks. However the Hawks have a much better coaching and player development environment as shown by THJ improvement in all aspects of his game. THJ needs flexibility if the Knicks prove to be the same old Knicks there were when he was here the first time.
4. There is obvious roster/coaching/FO instability.
-tack on 5 mill
5. Having to deal with NY media and fans. Tim likes ATL as a city.
-tack on another 5 mil
Due to their own incompetence the Knicks have no leverage over any players they want to sign. This is why we need to build through the draft. Until they create a stable environment and have some positive reasons to come here, agents and players will continue to take them to the cleaners in negotiations.
That or perhaps the rumors are true...Steve Mills is just not a good GM.
RIP mags
