Facil...There is a certain [cough] LOGIC, such as it is.
Future conditional first rounders?
We presently have a lot of young [Randle, Robinson] and very young [Barrett, Reddish, Toppin, Quickley, Grimes, Sims, McBride, Hunt]. I count TEN [10]. Trevor Keels, makes ELEVEN [11]. Rokas Jokubaitis could make TWELVE [12]. Perhaps factor in our 10-day contracts, though that is likely G League, for Jean Montero and Garrison Brooks.
Elminating our 2022 first rounder relieves us of the obligation to PAY HIM a 2022-2023 rookie scale salary.
James Bouknight of the Hornets was the #11 pick in 2021. His rookie salary was $4,154,00
Kemba Walker's 2022-23 salary is $9,165,471
Okay, so that's $13,319,471 and counting.
As per The Prophet Kiid, the going rumor is that the Knicks could waive Taj Gibson [not sure if that means he could be unwaved if he clears, sort of like we did with Elfrid Payton, although that was not a waive, but not picking up his option, although Taj's salary for this coming season is not guaranteed, so...], although you've got to believe that would sting Thibs.
Let's for a moment grant that the Knicks waive Taj and his $5,155,500
We're up to $14,320,971 and counting.
There is talk [talk], that Cam Reddish's $5,954,454 could be in play, but even for some with as non puckering a bung hole as Thibs, that would seem profligate. You want to talk about a player who could benefit and thrive from a legit NBA point guard?
LET US HOPE THE KNICKS DO NOT COMPOST SUCH A YOUNG TALENTED PLAYER.
Perhaps the Knicks could attach one of those dangling #1 picks as an incentive for someone to take on Nerlens Noel and his $9,240,000 contract?
Now we are up to $23,560, 971
Which presumably would add up to a four year guaranteed deal in the neighborhood of $100,000,000 to offer Jalen Brunson.
PLEASE NOTE: Kemba, Taj, Nerlens, Derrick, Alec were all part of our genius front office's spending spree in the summer of 2021, which depleted all of our cap space. And now, our geniuses are plotting to UNDO THE PROFLIGACY OF LAST SUMMER.
There is, however, only one fly in the ointment, and that is the fact that while Jalen IS an unrestricted free agent, Dallas CAN pay him more than anyone, and the connections to Leon Rose, Leon's Son, Jalen's Father, the ALLURE of New York City and the starting PG slot at MSG...
MAY NOT Count For SQUAT.
Compared to the allure of being a significant rotation player on a Dallas team with a returning Timmy Hardaway, a resurgent Spencer Dimwiddie, a signifcant upgrade at the center spot in Christian Wood, and Luka, competing for the Western Conference Title.
Stay tuned.
Poll
