Man..let's talk about something that doesn't draw in trolls. Which players would you want on a max contract and who are your top picks. This is hypothetical too, I know most of these cats are gonna re-sign or would look for a winning situation but we're a good location and a few players ought to slip while everyone is waiting or chasing the top names.
1a. Kawhi - Edge to Kawhi because he's logged a lot less minute and is younger by a couple of years.
1b. KD- No explanation necessary.
(Strong consideration but may depend on our draft situation)
2a. Khris - 27 yrs old, 4 apg his last 3 healthy seasons, one of the best defensive wings I've watched.
2b. Klay - similar to Khris but hasn't shown as much on the ball in terms of playmaking or creating his own shot over extended periods.
3a. Kyrie - Age wise, talent wise and all of that makes sense. The only reason I don't talk about him is that I can't imagine him leaving such a good situation in Boston. But in a dream scenario where he's really trying to come through, the idea of his attacking PnR's with KP is nutso.
3b. Kemba - so good this season that you have to consider it if he is willing plus he's a better defender than he gets credit for. Kemba PnR with KP would be unstoppable until Kemba declines.
(for all of these dudes, if we draft certain players it makes more sense. Ja Morant + Klay or Khris works really well but makes zero sense with Kemba or Irving. Getting one of the Duke boys or Nas would make adding Klay or Khris less important by a good amount unless we move THJ for additional cap space).
The desperation signings...I think the Noah waive and stretch means these guys will NEED to add somebody. If the guys above don't sign and the Knicks are desperate for a splash, I'd try to grab somebody that can be a legitimate veteran leader on a shorter contract that isn't max. Perry and Mills get to tell Dolan we got somebody plus there's cap space preserved to take on an unwanted contract for more assets. The next two names are desperation moves and I'd only offer them limited contracts, so we probably don't land these dudes under the circumstances that I'd actually take them under but it's an interesting discussion to look at what happens to that cap space if Pills is left holding the bag (I like the roll over cap concept but don't think it realistically happens).
4. Horford - Leadership ability plus taking a weapon away from one of the best teams in the East and a division rival. Plus Al is probably at the age where a max contract is less likely and you might even get a years cut.
5. Dragic - Stop gap PG who would be good enough to be number 2 for KP while we figure out the future point guard situation and again, old enough to not command max money or years on his next contract. He'd be a nice mentor for Frank who I'd still be pushing to develop as a mismatch PG. With Burke and Mudiay walking, this would be a big upgrade for the short term while Frank gets the extra time that both Mudiay and Burke needed to find their roles.
. You know the tip I've been on both for this season and future plans; I'd be hype if we built the team around a defensive identity and we have the personnel to pull that off now plus the top tier of max cats all fit that as well. The motto for today's NBA is that it's all offense, but stringing together stops and fast breaks can get an offense rolling too.
to clear cap space and we somehow had the space for:
