As the Lakers look to clear some salary to strengthen their offer to free agent center Marc Gasol, the Knicks have emerged as a potential trade partner in a possible deal involving JaVale McGee, sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link).
Due to their hard-cap constraints, the Lakers are probably limited to only offering Gasol a one-year, minimum-salary deal for the time being. Clearing some salary would allow them to offer Gasol more than the minimum if the Raptors are willing to do a sign-and-trade. It would also allow them to offer a two-year minimum deal (which carries a higher first-year cap hit), as John Hollinger of The Athletic notes (via Twitter).
If the Knicks are going to take on McGee’s contract using their cap room, they’ll need some sort of sweetener. As Michael Scotto of HoopsHype points out (via Twitter), New York got two second-round picks from Utah for taking on Ed Davis‘ $5MM expiring deal and would likely seek a similar haul for accepting McGee’s $4.2MM expiring contract.
The Lakers, who will probably only make a deal if they have an agreement lined up with Gasol (or another free agent), would have to decide how much they’re willing to pay in extra assets to upgrade from McGee at center.
The Knicks have been prioritizing 2023 second-round picks in trades this week, having already acquired – or agreed to acquire – three of them. The team reportedly expects that to be the first draft that high school players will once again permitted to enter, which would make for an extra-talented class. I imagine if a McGee deal gets done between the two teams, the Knicks may well come out of it with the Lakers’ 2023 second-rounder.
Why do they want McGee makes no sense to me
Lakers pay them cash and a second.
Knicks have 40 million cap room and fall in love with 10 $4-million contracts.
Thats fine if theyre getting a pick for every 4m contract theyre taking on
Picks
Second round is nothing especially from Lakers could be one of the last few of entire draft.
Think further down the road like a 2023 draft pick. Lakers have a old team already and by the time 23 rolls around LeBron a shell of former self and it will be AD and a bunch of old players.
you are correct. If I were you i’d sit back, watch and appreciate greatness in action for the next two years
Arc89 bunch of old players, you living under a rock? Schroder 27, harrell 26, caruso, 26, kuzma 25, Talon tucker 20 plus Dāvis would be 28/29? How is that old? Lmao I know your a warriors homer but this take is just pure salt with little truth.
Because without lebron that is a team not capable of winning, and has no path to replacing lebron. Lebron has maybe one more year before time catches up. The guys you listed are hardly role players. Schroeder is a 6th man at best. Others signed to short deals for lebron’s window. Lakers won’t be drafting anyone for near a decade. But who is the homer here?
And that team you just listed without Lebron wouldn’t win crap. Kuzma is way overrated and Schroeder can’t seems to find a home. Davis can’t pull it off alone.
Allow me to answer:
As the Lakers look to clear some salary to strengthen their offer to free agent center Marc Gasol, the Knicks have emerged as a potential trade partner in a possible deal involving JaVale McGee, sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link).
Due to their hard-cap constraints, the Lakers are probably limited to only offering Gasol a one-year, minimum-salary deal for the time being. Clearing some salary would allow them to offer Gasol more than the minimum if the Raptors are willing to do a sign-and-trade. It would also allow them to offer a two-year minimum deal (which carries a higher first-year cap hit), as John Hollinger of The Athletic notes (via Twitter).
If the Knicks are going to take on McGee’s contract using their cap room, they’ll need some sort of sweetener. As Michael Scotto of HoopsHype points out (via Twitter), New York got two second-round picks from Utah for taking on Ed Davis‘ $5MM expiring deal and would likely seek a similar haul for accepting McGee’s $4.2MM expiring contract.
The Lakers, who will probably only make a deal if they have an agreement lined up with Gasol (or another free agent), would have to decide how much they’re willing to pay in extra assets to upgrade from McGee at center.
The Knicks have been prioritizing 2023 second-round picks in trades this week, having already acquired – or agreed to acquire – three of them. The team reportedly expects that to be the first draft that high school players will once again permitted to enter, which would make for an extra-talented class. I imagine if a McGee deal gets done between the two teams, the Knicks may well come out of it with the Lakers’ 2023 second-rounder.
rct@, Exactly. Sometimes it seems like people don’t even read the articles before they comment.
Do they need a 4th 2nd round pick in 2023? Why not look to get a 2024 and 2025?
That was just speculation on my part, but if they believe the 2023 draft will be extra-deep, it makes sense to stock up now. They’ll have plenty of time to re-trade them over the next three years, and if they’re right about that draft, those picks would be a little more valuable than second-rounders in other years.
Not to mention packaging some picks to move up. Knicks also have the Dallas first rounder as well.
I would have no problem taking on McGee at that number for a couple of remote 2nd round picks. We might get another at the deadline if a contender needs a C. The guy’s strange, but he has 3 rings (I believe) so its not like his rep would keep teams from renting him for a stretch run. He might even bring some good luck.
I have no problem taking players and getting draft picks but how about something different than a center.
I do have a problem with helping a LBJ team get a player like Gasol and another championship
If thats your reason then you are sounding like a hater. Whats your team by the way. Lets assume you’re a clippers fan or a knicks fan, will i have a problem if gasol goes on that team (your favorite team). Of course not. As if gasol was just 27. Hes already old!
I don’t worry about that, because I think someone else will do the service. I could also pass on this, and keep more space during the year.
Why? The Knicks are a bad team. Why would they care who they’re helping if they get some picks?
Of course I’m a LBJ hater. I’m not denying that. He’s had several times to join my team and refused.
Its not like McGee is garbage. He has a high motor, still athletic and got a great attitude. If the Knicks got the salary space anyway, might as well use it + pick.
Everyone wins to some degree.
Tim Moscov and Luol Deng were garbage when the Lakers signed them and the Lakers are still paying Deng’s stretch contract. Deng wasn’t even good enough for a roster spot for anyone.
Bottom line is, the West will have several beast teams that will be fun to watch when they go up against each other. Miami, Boston and Milwaukee will still be good in the east.
The average rebuild takes 3yrs the knicks have never invested the time to see how it ends, until they do we will be on the same merry go round that has been happening since Patrick got traded