Sure Ball has some flaws, as does Sexton and pre-injured Dinwiddie. Otherwise such young talent wouldn't be available. I could see Rose being a good mentor for BallZo, helping him learn how to drive and finish more effectively and get midrange shots off. Ball has already improved significantly as a deep threat. If he can improve on drives and drive-and-kicks, then he'd be a pretty complete player. Ball could also work on floaters with Quickly. I'd bank on Ball being a worker bee and improving.
As for Knick FA's. Reg Bull seems essential. Was our best non-C defender. Initially Knix had given him a 2/$21M deal which was reworked because he had a pre-existing neck injury at the time. Offer him the MLE of circa $9M a year for 2 or 3. If need be go over the MLE to outbid teams without space -- the same 2/$21 deal is fair, though probably not needed. $7M-$8M might be enough. 3/$25M or somesuch.
Rose is valuable especially as a bench scorer. And a Thibs security blanket. Knows the system, rarely gets accused of rape anymore.
Taj really busted his ass. Worked the boards furiously. Probably would come back cheaply. A leader and Thibs messenger. Taj seems to embody what the Knix are about. Vet leadership shouldn't be underrated. And allows us to sort out the Mitch/Noel situation at any time.
Burks? I'd let someone else pay for contract-year Burks. Was a dynamic scorer second half of the season. Peak Burks? Was also Knix worst rotation defender. Any time opponents got a wide open shot, I'd replay and it was nearly always Burks or Randle blowing an assignment. Also, he's been injury prone and is mostly a one-on-one scorer.
Maybe arrange some kind of double-sign'n'trade Burks for Ball, assuming such a thing is NBA kosher. NOPe could use the outside shooting, get something for Ball leaving, and that way we'd get Ball without worrying about PELS matching.
IQ takes up the Burks scoring void. Draft a shooter. If we could get BallZo, then moving up for a Duarte/Murphy/Kispert SF would be perfect.
Otherwise re-sign Knox on a make-good contract. Low base salary, with incentives -- minutes, 3-pointers made, and/or FG% etc. -- and a team option or low partial guarantee on the final year. Send Knox to Westchester if such is allowed. Tell him to expand his game ... and dominate.
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