Teams around the NBA are under the impression that the Knicks remain open to providing cap relief to clubs looking to unload unwanted salary, writes Ian Begley of SNY.tv. New York already used its cap space to accommodate an Ed Davis salary dump, acquiring two second-round picks for taking his contract, then flipping him to Minnesota for another future second-rounder.
The Knicks still have at least $18MM in cap room, so they could absorb a more significant salary than Davis’ $5MM. However, there’s also no rush for New York to use up all that space now. Preserving their cap room into the season would make the Knicks a go-to-trade partner for teams looking to cut costs at the in-season deadline.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- In a separate SNY.tv article, Begley considers whether the Knicks could realistically help Charlotte dump Nicolas Batum‘s $27MM salary.
- The two draft picks that the Knicks acquired from the Jazz in their Davis trade – initially reported as two 2023 second-rounders – will actually be second-round selections in 2023 and 2024, per RealGM’s breakdown of traded draft picks. New York received the Jazz’s own ’23 second-rounder and either Utah’s or Cleveland’s ’24 second-rounder (whichever is more favorable).
- The Knicks will receive $559,528 in set-off on Wayne Ellington‘s $1MM dead-money cap hit as a result of his new deal with Detroit, as ESPN’s Bobby Marks explains (via Twitter). Although New York will save a little money, the set-off amount won’t change Ellington’s cap hit until after the season, so the club won’t open up any extra room.
- Las Vegas’ Westgate Sportsbook has the Knicks projected to be one of the NBA’s worst teams in 2020/21, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, who says the club’s over/under is 22.5 wins (in 72 games) and its title odds are 500-to-1. Both of those are tied for the lowest mark in the league, which isn’t a big surprise, given the Knicks’ relatively quiet offseason so far.
The over/under win total for OKC is higher than 22? That’s easy money right there.
I put it at 30 gms. Toppin is big reason why. He is legitimately a ROY favorite. Gives us an upgrade by moving Randle. And we have few players playing for their NBA future. All will want to impress. Knox, Smith, Nttilikina, Payton.
Still holding out hope for Westbrook. On the cheap
How cheap? It’s not happening without Barrett and a couple of first round picks.
You are WAY over estimating Westbrook’s worth.. he’s not worth a lot due to his contract.. he also can’t shoot..It will be hard for rockets to find a taker for that contract.. it’s funny your owner said Paul had worst contract.. correction, the two worst contracts are Westbrook and wall. Wall is 30 and Westbrook 32
Even calling it way overestimating is an underestimation lol. If a deal like that would were to go down in some sort of alternate universe, it would immediately rank as one of the worst trades of all time.
Sorry Harden/Westbrook….Knicks should be averse to any deal for Westbrook that includes Barrett, Robinson, Toppin, and/or any of their own 1st/2nd rounders…..no one is foolish enough to give up what the Rockets gave for Westbrook
Maybe Knicks give you one of their own picks if they end up getting Batum from Charlotte….then I could see them giving up Randle and Batum along with their own picks
‘It’s not happening without Barrett and a couple of first round picks.’
lmao that is an insane valuation for Westbrook. In theory he’s probably worth that but when you factor in his contract and attitude, no way. Especially when you consider that Knicks first rounders will be top 10 or even 5 for the next few years.
And besides, his whole game is predicated on athleticism. When that goes—and it’s already started—his value is going to plummet.
RJ is never going. We’ll wait it it out.
Toppin, RJ, Mitch is our future
IMO
Celtics and Hornets should give 2 top 20 protected picks to Knicks for taking Batum
Solid offer/idea but when would they ever collect them from Cha?!
Celts should def jump in and use some draft capital to get a TPE – No better guy than Batum for that right now- Seems like a 4th team might be needed tho which wouldnt be too hard
Rose is being smart. Pre-deadline cap space is always valuable, and will probably be more so this year with so little around and Hard Caps popping up all over the league. Picking up another 1st in 2021-2023 should be the goal.
If Giannis stays and Knicks are not able to steal stars from LA
Two good players left in free agent market
Oladipo
Holiday
You forgot Leonard and George – The bombs going off this year in Clip town…..
I’d be surprised Giannis stays if they aren’t keeping Holiday. He would be wasting his best years on a team going to beg for talent to join him. Bucks are leveraged on retaining both stars next year.
And you could add Gobert and Lowry to the list. Don’t hold your breath on LeBron or Kawhi heading to NYC.
Have to applaud the Knicks (so far)….it looks ugly on paper but they have played this right this year punting on next season-
worst case scenario was probably them sticking 1 foot in the water while having 1 out ( A recipe they know all too well)…They really should be big players the next couple years in free agency and will now have Rj Toppin Robinson as a core when the time comes-
Last order of Biz left will be getting any type of value gor Randle this yr for an expiring before the deadline…shouldnt be too hard….they should do anything they can to up his value between now and the deadline
Hopefully the Knicks will give their young player a lot of playing time especially Frank Ntilikina and Knox . I Think they can turn out to be decent role players . I am glad the font office are being patient. It is useless to trade for Westbrook .
I wouldnt say useless, if he came back 100% it could mean a playoff berth, hell maybe even 3 straight playoff berths….. but I agree they are on the right path here and it just shows how hard it is when theres constant carrots in front of your face every year being dangled
Useless not as a player but as for the knicks future rebuilding . It would be a short term solution .
Frank is one of the worst players in the league and has shown very little improvement in his three years in the league. Knox isn’t any better. If both players see significant action, you may as well write them in as the worst team in the league and use ink to do it.