GM in 10 - New York Knicks

GM in 10: The New York Knicks

Author: Michael Weitzner

(https://thejnotes.com/2017/11/14/utah-jazz-new-york-knicks-keys-breaking-road-curse/)

GM in 10 is a series of discussions where we take one franchise (the Knicks today) and talk about the 10 steps I would take to improve the team. There will not always be 10 steps, all trades are ran through the trade machine (to make sure the money matches), and signings are based on cap space/rumors.

So the New York Knicks… what can I really say? If there was a “worst contract in the league” award, the Knicks giving Joakim Noah a 4-year $72 million contract would take it home. With three years left, Noah has contributed almost nothing to the Knicks this season.

Noah is not the only bad contract on the Knicks’ books. To put it lightly, Phil Jackson’s tenure has left the franchise in complete ruins. Although not terrible, Tim Hardaway Jr’s contract reduces flexibility for the Knicks moving forward.

On top of all that, Kristaps Porzingis reportedly torn his ACL and will be out of action for 8 to 12 months. The Knicks will have to press on without their best player and only all-star. All that said, the Knicks biggest needs are a three point shooting small forward and guard depth. LETS GET STARTED!

STEP 1

Get rid of that horrendous contract we call “Joakim Noah” as soon as possible. After this season, the Knicks will still owe Noah close to $40 million. That kind of cap restriction can hamstring an organization in the long term. Exploring trade options might be unrealistic because who would want that contract and Knicks should not be trading draft picks just to get rid of Noah. Although costly, a buyout is the most viable options.

STEP 2

Trade either Courtney Lee or Tim Hardaway Jr (but not both). At first glance, Hardaway seems like the most favor to keep since he is only 25 and is under team control for 3 more years. However, the Knicks are at least 2 years away from competing so trade Hardaway for a pick or a young player with potential (>22 years old). My proposed trade: Hardaway for Gortat and Oubre.

STEP 3

Find a three point specialist. A young wing who shoots 38% or higher from three is hard to come by in a league where the average is 36%. Nowadays, the three ball is king and teams that cannot shoot it do not make it very far. One option is locking Mudiay in a gym until he fixes his shoot; very unluckily. So either sign or trade for a three point shooter going forward. My suggestions: Darius Miller, Tony Snell, or Reggie Bullock.

STEP 4

Do not let Enes Kanter hit free agency! This is more of a personal pick than one that makes/breaks a team but Kanter is a personality. He is all over social media and can attract fans in a similar way Embiid does. By no means is Kanter the same caliber of player Embiid is, but fans loved Embiid way before he showed his skills on the court.

STEP 5

Give Porzingis all the time he needs to return. Needless to say, Porzingis is the Knicks’ future so give him the full 12 months to rehab and recover. The Knicks cannot afford a Derrick Rose situation where its star comes back too soon and re-injures/becomes a head case. There will be a lot of losing next season but having 100% Porzingis will be worth it.

STEP 6

Embrace the losing (only for one season though). The Knicks still possess its first round picks for the next few years. Though tanking is not great for fans, boosting the value of those picks is good for the franchise. Losing may drive fans away but that’s why personalities like Kanter will be important.

STEP 7

Trade those high draft picks. It is almost inevitable that an NBA all-star who is under contract will become frustrated and want to leave. Trades are the way to get high level talent in the league. Developing talent is all well and dandy but Porzingis is a center piece who only needs a complimentary star to really start winning. John Wall could be drifting apart from the Wizards… go get him.

STEP 8

Be like the Pacers, not the Bulls. Both teams traded their best player this past offseason. Pacers got Victor Oladipo and the Bull got Zach Lavine and Kris Dunn. The Knicks need to get established talent now, not the possibility of future potential. Young players are nice to have but having experienced stars is what wins in the NBA.

STEP 9

Stay as far away from Isaiah Thomas as possible. Thomas is not worth giving a max contract to. But if the Knicks and the  Lakers (or any other team) get into a bidding war for him, that’s what the highest bidder will have to pay for him. Thomas is one of the worst defenders in the past 25 years and does not seem to be gelling well with his teammates. STAY AWAY.

STEP 10

Do not be afraid to trade anyone, except Porzingis of course. No one should be off the board for the Knicks. You cannot imagine how many teams perform dumb trades because of potential and ego. Frank Ntilikina and Emmanuel Mudiay are good young players but do not be afraid to pull the trigger when a John Wall or a Damien Lillard become available. Go big or go home, am I right?

Sources:

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/

https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/NYK.html

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats.html

http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/3-points/sort/threePointFieldGoalPct