As the Knicks consider potential trade opportunities for Evan Fournier‘s expiring $18.9MM contract, they’re unlikely to trade him in order to take back more players on expiring deals, writes Fred Katz of The Athletic. For instance, a deal of Fournier and a handful of second-round picks for Detroit guards Alec Burks and Monte Morris likely wouldn’t appeal to New York, according to Katz, given the team’s longer-term goals.
As Katz explains, the Knicks still hope to get the opportunity to acquire a star this summer, and if they don’t have an expendable player earning in the $20MM range, they may have to include at least two of Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo in that sort of deal for salary-matching purposes, which they’d rather not do.
The ideal outcome at this week’s deadline, then, would involve the Knicks sending out Fournier and another asset or two in exchange for a player earning in the $20MM range who is under contract beyond this season. Raptors wing Bruce Brown is one such player, and Katz confirms that the two teams have discussed a deal. Those talks haven’t included Quentin Grimes, instead centering around Fournier and draft compensation, Katz reports.
If the Knicks don’t find a deal involving Fournier by the deadline, a buyout is unlikely, according to Katz, who says the club would strongly consider hanging onto the swingman until the offseason in case his $19MM team option for 2024/25 comes in handy for matching purposes. Given that Fournier’s value on the open market would be well below $19MM, New York would presumably have to line up a trade agreement before or around draft night in order to feel comfortable exercising that option.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- New York has “dipped and dabbled” in talks for Burks, per Katz, and Ian Begley of SNY.tv expects those discussions between the Knicks and Pistons to continue leading up to the deadline. Katz speculates that couple second-round picks might be enough to pry Burks away from Detroit.
- Katz, like Stefan Bondy of The New York Post, has heard that a trade involving Grimes seems increasingly less likely as the deadline nears. The Knicks’ don’t want to simply trade Grimes to the highest bidder, Katz notes, but would like to use him to acquire a player who could be a valuable long-term contributor. The club has yet to find that player.
- Although the Knicks have spoken to the Hawks about Dejounte Murray, those talks have been informal, per Katz, who doesn’t think they’ve advanced past the “concept” stage.
- Teams in touch with the Knicks suggest that New York has cooled on the idea of adding another big man, according to Begley. Precious Achiuwa‘s strong play as of late has presumably factored into that stance, Begley adds.
“The ideal outcome at this week’s deadline, then, would involve the Knicks sending out Fournier and another asset or two in exchange for a player earning in the $20MM range who is under contract beyond this season.”
If this is true, it’s interesting that they mention Burks and not Bojan, who is making exactly $20 million this season and a touch less next season. He also does the same things as Burks as a player, only better.
Alternatives for Brown, if the only goal is salary-matching, exist and might be cheaper.
Bojan Bogdanovic should be cheaper than Brown.
Capella and Lonzo Ball are in the same ballpark salary-wise and would be expiring end of next season. Not sure about their price.
Vucevic still has two seasons after this one so might need less assets now but more in the future.
Hunter and Smart are interesting players on a multi year contract with a salary around 20 million, but would be more expensive.
Brown can be traded. He’s a valuable asset. Can be moved next yr in a package. I’m ok with Brown. If nothing else.
Knicks are talking to Pistons. They should be asking about Wiseman.
I get the feeling they will go minor trade.
Don’t get why you don’t even look at DeM.
If I had to guess. I think it’s Brown. Fournier doesn’t even play. So will it be a big upgrade.
The Knicks can’t aggregate Flynn’s salary with others, right?
Yep.
Yes, good catch.
Raps haven’t traded Brown yet? Dude is on a team friendly team option next season!
Rui and JHS with a first for Brown/ Bertans, Jaylin Williams and a 2024 first fir Brown or Lyles, Vezenkov and Donavon Mitchell with a first for Brown.
Raps can send Mitchell elsewhere for a pick or cash.
Teams really don’t wanna improve, spineless GM’s.
Does any Knicks fan think they can someone on the buyout market? What about Lowry or CP3? Would either be bought out? Knicks need to keep any and all remaining assets with hopes of getting Mikal or Booker this summer. One of those players are the missing piece
Mikal is not the missing piece. In fact, he’d be a solid off the bench guy for the Knicks. He’s not bumping Randle or OG. He’ll sign elsewhere who needs him to start.
Sorry, meant the other Bridges. Mikal would be gold.
Brown isn’t the player we need. We have enough 30 minute 10 ppg solid D players. Get me Bridges on Charlotte or Murray in Atlanta.
Apparently Knicks rejected a mavs offer for q.grimes
Just keep Fourier or buy him out. Negative trade value, would have to attach a pic for someone to take him. Need said pics later if you want something half decent in return.
Fournier is an expiring contract. He doesn’t have negative trade value.
Who is trading for fournier unless you attach a pic?
Any team that would want to dump future salary will take an expiring contract. Are you new to this? Besides, his salary is very valuable when you’re trying to match salaries for cap purposes. More than likely he will be involved in a larger deal for salary cap matching purposes.
You didn’t mention who? I bet he gets bought out unless knicks attach a pic, which would be dumb going forward.
I mean, there are players throughout the NBA. I can’t tell you who each team is willing to trade. You realize any trade the Knicks make right now for a player with any salary would have to include Fournier right? And of course they would be including other assets but that’s because whatever player they’re trading for, would require other assets. Not to take Fournier’s salary, but because good players require major assets. For example, if the Knicks were to trade for Dejounte Murray, Fournier’s salary would have to be included for salary cap purposes. They would have to include draft picks as well, but that’s because acquiring a good player would require that. The only way they can make any trade of any significance is because of Fournier’s salary. So if the Knicks are going to make a trade at the deadline, it’s almost certain Fournier will be involved because his salary needs to be included for salary cap purposes. That makes him valuable because otherwise, the Knicks would not be able to make any trades without giving up major players on their roster. It’s highly unlikely that Fournier is going to be bought out, in my opinion. And there’s not gonna be any reason they have to give a draft pick to dump his salary because his salary would be a necessity in any trade for a major player.
So now you’d have to attach another asset to trade Fourier? Jesus. Yep got it. So pick, Grimes or both? Clarkson, Brown, Heild, Brogdon types could help NY. Don’t think the pacers would deal with NY. Grimes and Fourier aren’t enough for me to pull the trigger on the other side to get those guys.
You’re not trading an asset to get rid of Fournier. You’re trading an asset for another player. Fournier is just part of the deal to make the salaries work. It’s just a matter of who the Knicks want, and what they believe that player is worth. Most of these guys available are players I really wouldn’t want but if the Knicks want Brown or Brogdon they are giving up a pick to get that player and Fournier goes in the deal just to make the salaries work. They would have to trade Fournier. That’s the only way they could even get one of those players. Hence, Fournier’s deal is extremely valuable. You can’t make any of these deals without him. It’s impossible without giving up something else on the roster. I’m still curious with the bottom line deal is the Hawks would take for Murray.
Don’t waste your time. He’ll get it when he’s traded in a few days.
Ha ha. You’re right. I’ll stop banging my head against the wall.
Understand now? Fournier was traded as part of a bigger deal for salaries. They didn’t have to attach draft picks trade him. They traded Grimes and two second rounders for Bogdanovich and Burks.
Holding off on a buyout for Fournier is understandable, from the NYK’s standpoint, as long as they fish or cut bait by the draft. But its not great for the player, assuming he wants to play somewhere. He also has a team option, not a Non-Gtd salary, so they’d have go on the hook for the whole 19 mm before the trade. Hopefully the trade goes through.
Burks and Morris are both are extension eligible. I could be wrong, but I think that, if the players agreed, each could be extend for next season on a Non-Gtd with a small guarantee and a short trigger (July 5th) for the rest.
Bojan would appear to be the best option to acquire since he comes ready-made along the same lines. A largely Non-Gtd contract (2 mm gtd) for next season. Unfortunately, DET hasn’t shopped him and likely will hold out for a FRP. I’d be hesitant to go there.
Teams enjoy being almost contenders… Good for them.
Brown and Bojan seem to fit the bill well here
If there’s any truth to Bobby P being avail Id put my name in the hat. I know there’s history and not the best here but different era for NYK
I don’t necessarily believe hes even avail but if he is its gotta be an effort by MIl to find a defensive guard. Would be a 3 team trade or a 2 linked trades where Mil got NYK draft capital and knew the guard was avail they wanted with that said NYK capital and Fourns exp
Agreed. I’d love to add Portis to the NYK existing 4/5 group. The skill set and the salary align quite well. Kind of puts Precious on the outside looking in once Randle is back, but that’s the only drawback I see.
If Portis was unhappy here (and I heard that as well after the fact), it didn’t show in his play. Nobody played harder for us. Anyway, playing in Fiz World would make me unhappy. Watching it certainly did.
Would be such a Now Nyk guy
I dont think Mil can do that tho considering they have a great chance of matching up later … still Nyk can facilitate it easy and Mil cant win it all w/out a point of attack defender in the playoffs imo so maybe?
I like that fit more than the 2 guards but wouldn’t get my hopes up
MIL lined up potential deals for Holiday with each of LAC and BOS (probably others) before approaching POR with Holiday in lieu of the further draft picks they wanted. Not finalized, but the parameters were there, so Cronin was convinced he didn’t have much risk in flipping Holiday. Here it would need to be simultaneous, but figuring out what they could get for Portis is likely the first step.
They should extend Fournier just so they can think about possibly trading him for a few more seasons. 4/80M sounds about right.
Go massage Embiids toes …….
Fournier was held on to use as a salary match. For an upgrade on the roster. No big name has come up. DM they wanted too much from Knicks. Moving him for Brown gives Knicks another player. That can give good mins for Knicks.
Considering all the injuries they have now. Depth is always a good thing. Plus Brown has an expiring contract next yr. So we can use him for salary matching purposes. For that big name they keep talking about. It’s business as usual. Brown will pay off in the playoffs.
Donte has been playing great. Not going to judge him. I just hope he proves me wrong. SG imo is where you add that big name. DeM and Murray both can fill it. Seems Knicks aren’t going to rush this. That’s the Karma I’m getting. So I expect a lesser trade. Brown, Brogdon , Olynic, Dinwiddie
There have been rumors that Atlanta is looking to move Capela, and there have been offers. In that case, Let’s make an offer of Mitch Robinson, Quentin Grimes, and 2 1st rounders for Dejounte Murray. Okongwu is good, but at 6″8″ is terribly undersized at the 5. Hartenstein and Sims are better than anything that Mitch has done to this point. If Fournier can’t be moved, then we have a team option and can let him walk at the end of the season instead of thinking buyout. That would free us up from 19 mil. We can pay Hartenstein Mitch’s money (15mil.) and have a few million left over to do whatever with.