Who Needs a Pace(r) Maker, When You Have Two Harts?: Official Pacers (#6) vs. Knicks (#2) East Semifinals Thread

[Eye Cue DA COLI GAWD]

The team is in a position where they can swing for 3 types of disgruntled players: use Bojan's expiring and picks to get a starter-level player in the 20-25 million range (very possible), use Randle and picks to get a high-level starter in the 28-32 million range (very unlikely they'll be an upgrade from him) or use Randle, Bojan and picks to get a max player (possible). OR they can just run it back and see how good this exact team is when healthy. We are in a great spot with a lot of possibilities to build on this exact roster we're seeing against the Pacers, even if that upgrade is just bringing back everyone healthy.

Grabbing the 2 seed while missing an All-Star/all-NBA level running mate is nothing to sneeze at. Making a competitive second-round play-off series down 4 rotation players is also nothing to sneeze at either. There aren't too many roster situations I'd rather have this summer than our own. shyt, aside from OKC (and depending how Minny, Denver and Boston finish the season), every other team in the league has WAY bigger question marks than we do from where I'm sitting.

If you trade Bojan's non-guaranteed contract, the team you're doing it with is certainly for a salary dump. So you're going to add more salary on top of re-signing OG to near max deal?? I don't think so. That would put you in luxury tax area.

I don't think that player would be worth it especially considering you have to max Brunson after next season.

Trading Randle + Bojan + picks will get you Bradley Beal, not Kevin Durant.

Good try tho

Running it back with same core is likely. In that case, I think your current results is a matter of diminishing returns. I don't think Divencenzo has another season like this one... and he's the only true shooting threat on team.

I would move Hart. I know that would be a hard sell for the fanbase, but ultimately I think and Randle overlap and you need an elite shooting frontcourt option to go to next level.

 

[RickyGQ]

I doubt they'd do business but it makes a lot of sense to figure out a Randle/Bridges swap and make the Nova Knicks complete

Don't even need to give up Randle contract-wise. Bojan and Bridges match up fine if the Nets decide to zag and want to rebuild (or whatever they're possible version of a rebuild would look like).

 

[Eye Cue DA COLI GAWD]

Don't even need to give up Randle contract-wise. Bojan and Bridges match up fine if the Nets decide to zag and want to rebuild (or whatever they're possible version of a rebuild would look like).

Stop it

 

[RubioTheCruel]

Stop it

Yeah that's ridiculous

Bridges ain't gonna be the next Kawhi like the Nets thought, he's more like his role with the Suns, the third best offensive option who can play defense on the wing. Not a guy you build around.

Randle ain't either but I think both sides sit better if they swap

 

[RickyGQ]

If you trade Bojan's non-guaranteed contract, the team you're doing it with is certainly for a salary dump. So you're going to add more salary on top of re-signing OG to near max deal?? I don't think so. That would put you in luxury tax area.

I don't think that player would be worth it especially considering you have to max Brunson after next season.

Trading Randle + Bojan + picks will get you Bradley Beal, not Kevin Durant.

Good try tho

Running it back with same core is likely. In that case, I think your current results is a matter of diminishing returns. I don't think Divencenzo has another season like this one... and he's the only true shooting threat on team.

I would move Hart. I know that would be a hard sell for the fanbase, but ultimately I think and Randle overlap and you need an elite shooting frontcourt option to go to next level.

I WANT to run it back. I'm just arguing your "we're not flexible" take. 11-1 when this roster is at full strength. I would like to see what that looks like for a full season before I decide what this team needs to compete at the highest level. Brunson took out two absolute killers in Embiid and Maxey by his fukking self. He's a 1a guy. I don't think it's crazy to say we could be contenders if healthy.

 

[Eye Cue DA COLI GAWD]

Yeah that's ridiculous

Bridges ain't gonna be the next Kawhi like the Nets thought, he's more like his role with the Suns, the third best offensive option who can play defense on the wing. Not a guy you build around.

Randle ain't either but I think both sides sit better if they swap

So if you move Randle for Bridges then you're not re-signing OG, correct?

And you would lose all versatility to have a shooting big like when Randle moves to C

 

[Eye Cue DA COLI GAWD]

I WANT to run it back. I'm just arguing your "we're not flexible" take. 11-1 when this roster is at full strength. I would like to see what that looks like for a full season before I decide what this team needs to compete at the highest level. Brunson took out two absolute killers in Embiid and Maxey by his fukking self. He's a 1a guy. I don't think it's crazy to say we could be contenders if healthy.

Embiid wasn't close to being healthy. You shouldn't even count that series (bc of that injury) as a barometer for the team going forward, hence you're 2-2 against a Pacers team that's never been to the playoffs (you think bc of injuries).

 

[RickyGQ]

Embiid wasn't close to being healthy. You shouldn't even count that series (bc of that injury) as a barometer for the team going forward, hence you're 2-2 against a Pacers team that's never been to the playoffs (you think bc of injuries).

That narrative is annoying. He probably put up better numbers "hurt" than he has his entire playoff career.

 

[RubioTheCruel]

So if you move Randle for Bridges then you're not re-signing OG, correct?

And you would lose all versatility to have a shooting big like when Randle moves to C

Nah, I think you bring OG back and see what it looks like. OG is a pretty versatile defender, can stick him at the 4 - Brunson/DDV/Bridges/OG/Hartenstein or Mitch

McBride/Burks/Bogi/Precious rounding out the rotation

I'd like to see how that looks. Knicks are one of those 'the whole is greater than the sum of the parts' teams.

Not that it matters, the Knicks and Nets haven't made a trade in over 40 years

 

[Wargames]

If you trade Bojan's non-guaranteed contract, the team you're doing it with is certainly for a salary dump. So you're going to add more salary on top of re-signing OG to near max deal?? I don't think so. That would put you in luxury tax area.

I don't think that player would be worth it especially considering you have to max Brunson after next season.

Trading Randle + Bojan + picks will get you Bradley Beal, not Kevin Durant.

Good try tho

Running it back with same core is likely. In that case, I think your current results is a matter of diminishing returns. I don't think Divencenzo has another season like this one... and he's the only true shooting threat on team.

I would move Hart. I know that would be a hard sell for the fanbase, but ultimately I think and Randle overlap and you need an elite shooting frontcourt option to go to next level.

I am sorry you unpacked a lot of assumptions regarding the Knicks next moves and what they would be looking to do, based on narratives that doesn’t fit what this current FO has done.

This team isn’t chasing a star like KD or Beal, the core this year was 2nd in the East inspite a losing streak and they all work well with a coach a lot of people don’t want to play for. Brunson and Randle are going to run it back at least one more season before their player option kick in, and then we’ll see what happens. Logically it makes sense to go all in next season before you have to make the tough decision you are assuming they have to make this season.

The Knicks are still in this series too, just wanted to add that since you’re talking like their in the offseason with this speculation.

So if you move Randle for Bridges then you're not re-signing OG, correct?

And you would lose all versatility to have a shooting big like when Randle moves to C

You’re not actually looking at the Knicks cap sheet if you think them paying OG locks them out from trading with Bridges. Also you don’t trade Randle for Bridge you likely trade Bojan and picks to either Brooklyn or another team so you can send a different player to Brooklyn. Multiple guys on the roster are underpaid based on production. You’re also assuming they are not willing to pay to be a luxury team to keep together the players they have now and add a legit 3rd option in bridges. Bridges style of play and contract fit the team needs perfectly.

Embiid wasn't close to being healthy. You shouldn't even count that series (bc of that injury) as a barometer for the team going forward, hence you're 2-2 against a Pacers team that's never been to the playoffs (you think bc of injuries).

Your logic doesn’t hold up. You’re saying the Knicks got lucky beating a slowed down Embiid, but then the Pacers are not lucky for facing a Knicks team with Randle, OG, Mitch, and Bojan not playing? This Pacer team is Hawks from a few season’s ago. A lot of good team overreacted to them making a ECF run (including the Knicks) when it was just injuries and luck. Now look at the Hawks drafting 1st in the lottery. The best thing the Knicks could do is run it back but grab Bridges, and if that means you got to help Brooklyn get a better player…. Fine. Sometime fit is more important than stat sheets.

 

[qnsfinest]

The season far from over and nikkas already panicking and talking trade scenarios.

This team even with all the injuries is in the 2nd round with a strong chance to make the conference finals.

We’re in a better position than probably 27 other teams in the league.

 

[RubioTheCruel]

The season far from over and nikkas already panicking and talking trade scenarios.

This team even with all the injuries is in the 2nd round with a strong chance to make the conference finals.

We’re in a better position than probably 27 other teams in the league.

This team is fading bad with half of it's rotation injured, playing one of the fastest paced teams in the NBA. It's not looking good breh

 

[Wargames]

The season far from over and nikkas already panicking and talking trade scenarios.

This team even with all the injuries is in the 2nd round with a strong chance to make the conference finals.

We’re in a better position than probably 27 other teams in the league.

Agreed, I just wanted to correct the record. Knicks are in a great place, no reason to throw dirt on their name

 

[Slimkid07]

We're losing this game. fukk

 

[KnickstapeCity]

Again, I’m in the minority here, I believe OG most definitely got a big dikk and I love it when he plays but he’s never going to be healthy and giving him a long term deal does not sit well with me.






I say we let the nikka walk or give him a 2 year deal with the 2nd year being a team option and see if he stays healthy or not.