While it’s not necessarily having a major impact on the court for either team, the seven-player trade completed by the Knicks and Mavericks in advance of the trade deadline was perhaps the biggest deal of 2019 so far due to its long-term implications.
For Dallas, the move meant securing Kristaps Porzingis, a potential franchise frontcourt player whom the team envisions complementing young star Luka Doncic for the next decade.
For New York, there were a handful of motivating factors — the club got to take a chance on a 2017 lottery pick in Dennis Smith Jr., and secured a couple future first-round picks too. But perhaps the most important aspect of the trade from the Knicks’ perspective was that it allowed the team to create not just one, but two maximum-salary contracts slots in free agency this summer.
Since the Knicks made the deal, speculation has run wild about their potential offseason targets. Do they know something we don’t about Kevin Durant‘s plans? Or Kyrie Irving‘s? Is New York native Kemba Walker in their crosshairs?
Before their trade with the Mavs, the Knicks were already close to having enough space for one maximum-salary free agent, and wouldn’t have had to attach Porzingis to a larger package to create that extra room. Instead, the team chose to make a blockbuster deal that opened a pair of those slots.
What, exactly, does that tell us about their summer plans? If they’re not sure about Durant or Irving coming, would they offer a maximum-salary deal to another free agent? Will Kawhi Leonard be a target? Knicks fans would be a little less thrilled about the prospect of the club using that space to give max deals to two players from a group that includes Walker, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, and Khris Middleton, but maybe those players will be on the team’s wish list as well.
On the other hand, if the Knicks can’t land both Durant and Irving, the prudent move might be to use their leftover cap room to absorb an unwanted contract or two to accumulate more assets — or to sign players to one-term contracts, rolling over their cap room to next summer.
When a panel of ESPN.com experts made offseason predictions last week, one question asked how many maximum-salary free agents the Knicks would sign this summer. The top answer was two (47.2%), followed by one (41.7%), and zero (11.1%). In other words, there’s a strong belief that the Knicks will invest huge money in at least one star this offseason, and likely two.
What do you think? Are you bullish on the Knicks’ chances of landing two stars? Do you believe they’ll hand out two max contracts even if they don’t necessarily get their top two choices? Or do you think they’ll end up being a little more patient with their newfound flexibility?
Vote in our poll, then head below to the comment section to share your thoughts!
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
Zero. At least none of the top guys. Maybe Middleton or Vucevic, but they’re not game changers. So, they should just save their cap room.
They get two, especially if the they land the first pick.
as a knick fan for decades, dont get your hope up as I don’t have much confidence in upper management and fizdale is all talk and smoke but is not the coach to develop younger players… I think we have a better chance of trading for Davis and maybe even Holliday in an add in but again mortgage the future in doing so…i would give up Frank, Dotson, Thomas and a first in 2019 & protected 1st in 2020.
Knick fan here as well. Other factors come into play, such as marketing for example. I’m sure Nike will try to influence their (KI & KD) business decision to hit Madison avenue.
That’s a great point. Nike needs a boost.
The poll should actually be what are the odds of the Knicks giving a max player a max contract compared to a max contract to some decent guy. Much more likely they over pay some above average players (like they always do).
I hope none, but they probably will get Walker and one of Leonard, Durant, or Butler.
Kemba isn’t leaving, neither is Leonard, Durant or Butler
It’s always great when the psychics stop by to let us know how things will work out.
Leonard is leaving. Clippers.
Either Kyrie and Durant or Butler…
Buckets won’t stay in Philly for a lesser role so can see him being their main player with a secondary role player signing too
I think Butler stays with Philly. He’s still the top shooter of the stars, and can average 25 ppg. Plus, having Simmons who’s allergic to shooting gives him even more shots. But I don’t think Philly gives Harris a max unless Butler stays too.
Harris is actually the better shooter of the four (Butler, Simmons, Embiid) and the best fit alongside Simmons and Embiid as well.
Back in September Butler wanted to go to either the Nets, Knicks or Clippers and that was before 3 things happened. The Nets (still have a max) became a playoff team, the Knicks opened up two max and Clips (still have a max) became a playoff team. Looks like he wants a big market (no offense Philly) and he gets a larger role on any of those teams so Knicks are possible. But my guess is D-Rose and Joakim Noah.
Although a finals appearance and a max from Philly might change his mind.
Most nationally televised games this year. 43 LAL, 40 GSW, 39 PHI/BOS.
Largest Media Markets 1. NY, 2. LA, 3. Chicago, 4. Philly
That argument doesn’t work.
Its not about market, more about fit, championships, and Philly itself. A lot of the athletes live in Cherry Hill/SNJ, heck JJ commutes a lot from Brooklyn. City isn’t a big draw, is what it is.
He could get paid and win though in Philly (Butler), depends on if he wants to he Kevin Love or Chris Bosh on a championship team tho.
Satire folks. link to sports.theonion.com
Brilliant dude! Too true! LOL!
I think if the Knicks get Zion, they have a better chance of getting Durant and Kyrie (they would trade Dennis Smith Jr.) Watched a Celtics game before the All Star break. The announcer was saying the Celtics were 8-2, now 9-2, and the team was having trouble adjusting to Kyrie. Gordon Hayward had 30 points against Philadelphia when Kyrie was out. Ainge says he will try and get Anthony Davis regardless of whether Kyrie signs or not.
That’s 9-2 without Kyrie.
Zero – if you’re talking about true max guys (i.e., those who currently have max contracts). But if it’s not zero, then it likely will be two. With the KP trade, it’s now double or nothing (a true max guy isn’t coming here to play with Fiz’s Kids).
The Knicks paid the highest price in history for remote cap space; hopefully, the FO doesn’t believe they have to justify it. Because they can’t (unless they get 2 true max players), and trying with other guys will only mean bad contracts.
Durant is definitely coming everyone who says otherwise is wrong
It’s two if the two are Irving and Durant. I don’t see one coming without the other.
It’s one if it’s Kemba. NYC kid might be tough to pull out of Charlotte, but looking at their roster and cap situation, they’re going to be mediocre for a while longer.
Would love to see them chase younger RFA’s if none of the above three are coming. Guys like Brogdan and WCS probably get matched, but worth a shot.
Don’t see Butler coming by himself, and spending Max or near Max money on Middleton, Vuc, etc. does not excite me. If that’s all that’s left, would either look in the trade market or hold onto the funds for another year and land another high pick.
I think KD ends up in NY, especially since he had said he would want to. If they get the number 1 pick and KD, another big name could follow. Wouldn’t surprise me if Irving goes there.
This is what I don’t understand. Why would any of the big free agents go to New York? They cannot offer anything resembling a championship team, even in the East. Say they get #1 which would be Zion. Heck, the Bulls still have more to offer in terms of a supporting cast than the Knicks. I get the whole mecca of New York City and being a media haven, but that’s only a small part of the whole package.
Here we have a prime example of irresponsible intoxication
They are in a similar situation that teams like Philly as in last year. Do you trade for Kawhi pre-draft in Hope a top FA like LBJ will come?
Do they give up their top-X pick for AD, plus the rest of their roster in Hope someone wants to play with him and a bunch of veterans on min deals.
1 yr deals, trade for picks at the deadline seems to be the most plausible situation. They really didnt do themselves any favors holding onto Vonleh, Mudiay, and Hezonja. 2nd round picks can be turned into late 1sts or used in future deals, or bring in a Malcom Brogdon, IT, Draymond, euro like Manu, Gasol.
Vonleh should be on a contender’s bench.