Again, the problem is that ObiT's upside on these Knix is as a 15 min a night backup PF. No matter how good he does, how does he get beyond that? How does he reach a high level limited like that? Sure, maybe you find an extra 5-7 mins if he's playing real well. But that slots him in as an SF where he is less likely to shine, or Julius tries to play some C. Simply ObiT likely has more value as a 30 min a night starter elsewhere ...
Siakim is an all-star level two-way talent. Likely TOR says No.
Robt Williams got a pretty large contract. 4/$54M. Starting around $12M I suppose. He's been injury prone, and only showed flashes, while also being undisciplined at times. On a 4 year deal, I would've been looking for a discount. More like $36M. If he puts his game together ...
Certainly has some impressive physical tools.
Contracts I wouldn't have given:
Jared Allen 5/$100M
Terry Rozier 4/$97M max extension
Norm Powell 5/$90M
DeM DeRozan 3/$85M
Says YOU.
Knicks clearly have other ideas. So does Obi. He has barely scratched the surface of his potential. For BoD to dismiss him as 15 minutes a night, is, well, THAT'S BOD. I suspect Thibs begs to differ.
Not to cast aspersions on your handicapping skills, nevertheless I have a distinct memory from the not so distant past of you mocking me for suggesting that James Harden was slotted to function as a PG for the Rockets.
HEY, Haliburton was
MY PICK at #8.
Over and done with. We picked OBI, likely under the impression that Julius was one more and done at the trading deadline.
And we just scored Miles McBride at #36, to break in behind Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker over the next two years, so there is recompense and redemption after all. Is Deuce another Tyrese? Different folks, different strokes, but let's just say, Deuce has a world of talent and competitive fire and will not be tasked with being our savior.
And we still have Obi AND Julius.
Things change.
Might this be a situation such as where we once had both Bill Cartwright AND Patrick Ewing?
Could be.
A nice problem to have, in any event.
Again, your PRESUMPTION is that Obi is strictly a backup PF, and there are no other paths he and the Knicks might pursue, and that any other scenarios, such as a 5-4 with Julius, are doomed to fail, likewise his ability to guard 3's. And you base these conclusions on his rookie year? Perhaps you might want to extend Obi and the Knicks a second year to grow. RJ Barrett certainly seemed rather limited based upon naught but the sampling of his rookie year.
Yes, Siakam is a significant talent, but he is wildly overpaid. And your bold projection of him as a SF would seem to be at odds with your notion that Obi is categorically unsuited to play at the 3-spot. Let alone committing 33-35-37 million to him, as Toronto has. Or as you prpoose WE MIGHT. Which is simply hilarious given your predilection for critiquing each and every long term contract that comes down the pike...Hey, I WOULDN'T HAVE GIVEN Them THAT LONG TERM MONEY. Uh huh.
I feel that Siakam surely deserves another season to prove that his injuries and post-Kawhi leadership meltdowns were not defining moments. Much as Obi deserves a second season to mature under Thibs. Or that Obi only playing 20 minutes a night in his second season would be an enduring mark of Cain upon him and the Knicks moving forward. PLEASE.
Unlikely you and I are going to find common ground on this.