I wouldn't be against Portis back at around $8M.
His $15M option was ridiculous.
And I think his decision-making and defensive focus can be poor.
So not really a Thibs type.
And with ObiT in place, Portis less needed and a basically just room at the 3, where he's pretty similar to Knox, who needs minutes.
Hopefully we can find some other wing shooters.
And we might spend money on a PG.
But as a Plan C option, if we have money left over, Portis acceptable around the MLE.
Well, I started off this post open to Portis returning and convinced myself it's pointless.
I'd rather ObiT and Knox get such minutes. RJB at the 3 as well. So I'd rather spend the money (~ $8M) on a more reliable wing.
Portis at say 3/$22 would be a tradeable asset-- again if we have extra cap space. And can't use it better.
Bo, I applaud your generosity. I am a Portis Booster, but I wouldn't give him that much.
Again, my sense of things is DO NO HARM.
I loved all of same people you did: Haliburton, Vassell, DA. Would have been happy with any of them or Okoro and Toppin. I am really thrilled that we got both Toppin and Quickly.
What impresses me the most about the NEW KNICKS FRONT OFFICE, so far, is unlike the past, DO NO HARM, and NOT GOING FOR THE FUCKING HOME RUN.
In baseball, or hoops front offices, you can swing for the fences, or you can win with good defense and pitching, and offensively, play slow but stead...draw a walk...move the runner over...steal a base...sacrifice fly.
The Knicks' moves were purposeful and well thought out.
They obviously wanted Okoro or Toppin at #5, but unlike Donnie in the Melo trade, they didn't act in desperation, or allow themselves to be bamboozled, or like Isiah with Eddie Curry, over pay like crazy, like a mama luke. Donnie got stampeded by Melo's greed, Dolan's impatience and fearof losing Melo to the Nets. So he gave up Mozgov AND an additional #1 pick, the right for Denver to swap with us if we had the worst record. Know who they picked with that second #1? Jamal Murray.
You can make a compelling case for any of the players we passed on.
You can make a compelling case for the player we picked. Can't have everything.
I love the Ed Davis move, if we keep him. A great veteran presence, like Udonis Haslem on the Heat. THIS IS HOW IT IS DONE PUPPIES. They also serve who screen and wait. Or sit on the bench and define a winning team culture and the simple virtues which get the job done.
I would not offer Portis 8 million, but the MCE at most. What is that? Five million. As for free agency, again, I am content to let the blood frenzy go on without us, and see who the last men standing are, who we can pick up for veterans minimums or thereabouts. Once everyone else has squadered their cap space, and we are biding our time, waiting to see what talent has been left out in the cold, or what teams need a third team to facilitate a trade?
Russell Westbrook? Gordon Hayward?
Great players.
We need to develop Dennis and Frank, Kevin and Ignaz, just to see what we've got, build up their value, as pieces going forward or was trade chips.
Gordon Hayward in 2020?
How about Kawhi Leonard in 2021. Think that would make Thibs happy? He has a player option next summer.
PATIENCE HAS BEEN SHOWN THIS WEEK.
Keep it up Knicks. We paid dearly for our cap space. Leave us not squander it. Again, when someone needs someplace to stash salaries and ending contracts, and they are willing to give us assets for our trouble, that is the Jerry West way. That is the Red Auerbach way. We don't need to do a Hershel Walker trade like the Clippers did to make Kawhi happy and overpay through the dick for fuckikng Paul George.
Advance the runner, Leon. One base at a time. One base at a time. Ed Davis was not a big splash. Barely even a drip. But potentially consequential. The small details Ralph. No more home run swings. Make contact. Singles. Bunts. Sacrifices.