stuporman wrote:Polk377 wrote:stuporman wrote:I still have some issues with Leon, he has had some major FA signing gaffs, shaky draft nights and bungled the Mitchell negotiations even though he's had some great FA signings, great draft selections and was shrewdly not going to let himself get bulldozed by Ainge or the expectation of Mitchell to NY for anything and everything. Both can be true at the same time.
Brunson has saved his job along with a few others in the FO and Thibs job, as well. There are so many in the Knicks org that should send Brunson flowers every week they still have their jobs.
Leon Rose should be in consideration for Executive of the Year. He was able to pivot away from the FA mistakes from last season and used draft night to clear cap space and add future 1sts that look very likely to net us another pick for this season from Washington. He then used that cap space and signed Brunson who is an absolute steal at his price and got Hartenstein to solidify backup C to Mitch. He was in conversations for Mitchell and instead of throwing the farm to get him, he stood pat and kept his players and assets. He then locked up 2 key pieces of this teams future in RJ and Mitch to reasonable contracts. At the deadline he got another steal of an acquisition by getting Hart for an out of the rotation player and what is now a near the end of the 1st pick. The team is playing well above expectations and competing for a top 4 spot in the East. All of this while maintaining the bulk of their assets and holding cap flexibility. Leon and Co need to be praised.
I said both can be true so why are you so adamant about defending him to someone who gave him some props. Let's not forget even though he did an amazing job in getting Hart who is a perfect fit for what the coach wants he also was the one who traded a first for Cam who was out of step with what the coach wants.
Two firsts for Hart isn't brilliant asset management, it's terrible asset management but at least he got the right guy in the end, so he gets props for that. Both are true. If he hadn't used a phony deadline and then extend RJ the Knicks could have had Mitchell for RJ, Grimes and two UP1sts if the reports are true.
As much as I like Grimes this would have been a sweet deal to wind up doing to get DMitch but he botched it by the extension and then Ainge wasn't about a resigned RJ and the price went back up to 3 UP1sts AND IQ/Obi not to mention what it would cost to get off Fournier in the deal.
Ultimately, the Cavs swooped in to give Ainge everything he wanted and he didn't call Rose back again, who was left surprised with a meatball in his mouth. He's been both good and bad as the POBO but without a doubt Brunson has covered all his mistakes with chocolate and sprinkles.
Now, how is Rose going to get the cherry on top? That will make him legend in NY or another oh so close but no cigar.
People have to stop with this Knicks traded a 1st for Cam nonsense. The pick was never going to convey. It was not a real 1st. It was 2 2nds and they got Brooklyn's 25 second round pick back in that deal so really 1 2nd. They then traded Cam with a 21-24 overall pick for a rotational upgrade. It was never 2 1sts and Cam for Hart!!!!!
As far as Mitchell goes, we don't know what the exact package was and we have no way of knowing if the trade would have worked out for us. Sometimes the trades you don't make end up benefitting the team more. Brunson and Mitchell could have ended up being a disaster of a backcourt and who knows if Brunson would have been able to step into the same leadership role if Mitchell was here.
Leon and Co just have to stay patient and find a creative way to use Fournier and Rose's contracts to net something positive while also locking up IQ for the future. The team is no longer a HR away. Get us 2 doubles and we are good.
