mitch rob injury is horrible but I’m seeing opportunities for us to develop more wrinkles in the O with iHart at center. He’s an amazing passer out of the high post, provides less clogging of the lane, iHart is a great rebounder too. So he doesn’t provide the same level of rim protection but he’s better against stretch bigs.
I’d be fine with any of the names being thrown around in the backup role (drummond, olynyk, plumlee etc..). Taj with the backups is great because he’s another solid vet who just knows where to be and how to execute the scheme.
Also, looking forward to a DiVo piece after a 20gm sample of him in the starting lineup. His play jumps off the screen, its infectious.
Dec 21, 2023·edited Dec 21, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri
Hope you feel better soon!
Regarding the Mitch news, I am devastated. I really love watching him play and it is a shame that he most likely won't make a return to the court this season.
With regard to replacements and the DPE, I wonder how they want to go about their business. Plumlee also caught my eye when I went through the list of expiring contract centers, but it is a whole lot of "meh". This makes me wonder if Fournier comes into play. A trade that could make sense is Fournier and something tiny for Olynyk and Simone Fontecchio (it works salary wise). I know that keeping Fournier (and picking up his TO) for a bigger deal down the line is still probably the smartest option, but I wonder if this situation changes that line of thinking.
The news sucks but at this point, we may need to accept that Mitch is any injury prone player... also for all he brings on defense, his lack of offensive ability was a major problem in the playoffs vs Miami and he doesn’t matchup well vs Boston or Milwaukee. So, it gives an opportunity to potentially change the roster
We could cash in some draft equity to upgrade or add a different skill set at the center position to give more options in the playoff’s building around some of these trade concepts
Mitch and Evan for Deandre Ayton, RJ for Precious and OG, Evan for PJ Washington, Evan for Olynyk and THT, Evan for Markkanen
Thanks for an informative newsletter under challenging circumstances.
It’s understandable that right now the focus is on replacing Mitch for the season, but given his significant injury history, the more important question is whether it’s time the Knicks draft his long-term replacement (or iHart’s replacement if there’s a serious risk of him signing elsewhere in the off season).
This year’s draft is currently considered a weak one, but there are several promising bigs expected to be available. Maybe you could get Sam Vecenie on the pod to discuss which prospects best fit Thibs’ ideal (ie, strong rim protector, skilled in drop coverage, and elite offensive rebounder) and whether the Knicks will likely need to trade up to get their preferred draft target.
One thing to add to your Tom Chambers discussion in the post-game: that dude was maybe the greatest NBA Jam player of all time. It was incredible how dominant he was every time I or anyone else used him.
I’m wondering if the “we can only get someone on an expiring contract” aspect if this isn’t necessarily the case. We still have the Obi exception which is more than the disabled player exception by a bit I think. And, I don’t think there are the same issues with that. So, correct me if I’m wrong, but we can trade the Obi TPE, and whatever for a multi-year player (as long as don’t go above the 10mil per or so hard cap limit. ...is this correct? 😁
Hope you're feeling better soon! I'm impressed this is your first bout of COVID, but even more impressed that you still managed to churn out a newsletter! Rest up!
Thoughts on Isaiah Stewart as a possibility? Seems like more than a band-aid ($15m/yr extension kicks in next year), but I’ve seen his name in trade buzz lately, he’s from NY (Rochester but still), tough rebounder, stretches the floor -- is the salary + likely asking price simply too steep?
I’ve actually always liked Plumlee so I’d be cool with that. Drummond...meh.
Second question is: even if the Knicks find a target who fit the 7.8m exception, what sort of asset will we have to give up? Will teams price gouge knowing how important Mitch was? I guess what I’m asking is, how desperate do you think Leon / Thibs will feel (assuming we get the exception in the first place)?
Hoping you feel better soon and that your family is well.
Thank you Mike! Will write about it some more today but don’t think they’re breaking the bank to address this issue. Beef Stew for example would be far more than a stop gap.
Upon further investigation, there are a lot of free agents with varying levels of NBA experience. Some interesting names if they’re not completely washed:
Willis Reed goes out for the season. Jerry Lucas (who had not played center before) takes over as starting center and Knicks go to finals against Lakers. I-Hart isn't a HOF like Lucas, but I wouldn't throw the towel in on the season. I'm concerned that Sims seems to have regressed from his rookie season (though alot of his minutes were at the end of the season against teams going nowhere). A capable backup will be needed and I still wonder if Nurlens Hands Of Stone Noel is a possibility. He isn't physically imposing or a good rebounder but plays good defense.
Damn Bro - Sorry to hear about your Covid result. Hopefully you're able to recover quick and it doesn't completely take you out of commission over the holiday. My kids are all older but I remember all the early morning planning for Santa's and the energy it takes to be excited for them when they open their gifts - great times but exhausting as well..LOL! Great newsletter as always and appreciate the commitment to get it out.
I was in the bed after that game last night so didn't get to see the postgame show and the Mitch news is new to me reading the newsletter :(. Be interesting to see how the Front Office handles this - I'm feeling like this could possibly give us some tea leaves to read on what the FO plans to do this off season to push us to true contender tier status. I'm confident that we can count on the fact that the FO expects to keep building on their current level of play, Thibs ain't ever gonna just play out the string and the team goals are to again at least make it to the ECF 2nd round. I believe we 4 picks total in the upcoming draft as it stands (I get confused on the 2nd rounders with all the swaps...LOL) but was just reading in the Athletic that this year's draft class is looking a bit weak. Do the Knicks go the route of 1 year rental on a back up or do they take a swing at one of their next board pieces, start their roster consolidation and give up some assets (while retaining enough for the big move)?
Part of me is very curious to see how we look against Milwaukee and Boston with iHart starting. I love Mitch, but there’s always a nagging thought in the back of my mind that he’s not the right fit for this team at center. Though he will surely be missed and I’ll probably regret these silly words.
Question - what happens if we are granted a DPE and Mitch is ready to return earlier than expected? Say March or April?
We know nothing about Mitch’s surgery compared to Julius’s. But assume they are the same procedure. Julius was out 5 months. That would put Mitch at mid May. I would assume Mitch needs a longer recovery with his body.
mitch rob injury is horrible but I’m seeing opportunities for us to develop more wrinkles in the O with iHart at center. He’s an amazing passer out of the high post, provides less clogging of the lane, iHart is a great rebounder too. So he doesn’t provide the same level of rim protection but he’s better against stretch bigs.
I’d be fine with any of the names being thrown around in the backup role (drummond, olynyk, plumlee etc..). Taj with the backups is great because he’s another solid vet who just knows where to be and how to execute the scheme.
Also, looking forward to a DiVo piece after a 20gm sample of him in the starting lineup. His play jumps off the screen, its infectious.
Get well soon Mac!
Thanks Eddy!
Hope you feel better soon!
Regarding the Mitch news, I am devastated. I really love watching him play and it is a shame that he most likely won't make a return to the court this season.
With regard to replacements and the DPE, I wonder how they want to go about their business. Plumlee also caught my eye when I went through the list of expiring contract centers, but it is a whole lot of "meh". This makes me wonder if Fournier comes into play. A trade that could make sense is Fournier and something tiny for Olynyk and Simone Fontecchio (it works salary wise). I know that keeping Fournier (and picking up his TO) for a bigger deal down the line is still probably the smartest option, but I wonder if this situation changes that line of thinking.
Thank you! And I think the Jazz like SF too much for that deal not to be cost prohibitive for NY
What do you think cost prohibitive would translate to asset wise?
will answer in tomorrow's newsletter!
Get well soon
The news sucks but at this point, we may need to accept that Mitch is any injury prone player... also for all he brings on defense, his lack of offensive ability was a major problem in the playoffs vs Miami and he doesn’t matchup well vs Boston or Milwaukee. So, it gives an opportunity to potentially change the roster
We could cash in some draft equity to upgrade or add a different skill set at the center position to give more options in the playoff’s building around some of these trade concepts
Mitch and Evan for Deandre Ayton, RJ for Precious and OG, Evan for PJ Washington, Evan for Olynyk and THT, Evan for Markkanen
Thanks for an informative newsletter under challenging circumstances.
It’s understandable that right now the focus is on replacing Mitch for the season, but given his significant injury history, the more important question is whether it’s time the Knicks draft his long-term replacement (or iHart’s replacement if there’s a serious risk of him signing elsewhere in the off season).
This year’s draft is currently considered a weak one, but there are several promising bigs expected to be available. Maybe you could get Sam Vecenie on the pod to discuss which prospects best fit Thibs’ ideal (ie, strong rim protector, skilled in drop coverage, and elite offensive rebounder) and whether the Knicks will likely need to trade up to get their preferred draft target.
Mitch news absolutely sucks.
One thing to add to your Tom Chambers discussion in the post-game: that dude was maybe the greatest NBA Jam player of all time. It was incredible how dominant he was every time I or anyone else used him.
Feel better Jon.
I like Mitch a lot, but, if he is the tipping point between success and failure, then you have much bigger problems. I suspect they will be fine.
Lose JR however and you are in deep doodoo. Can’t imagine saying that in the not too distant past. 😂
Hope you feel better soon, Jon!
Get well soon! Take care of yourself, we’ll wait!
I’m wondering if the “we can only get someone on an expiring contract” aspect if this isn’t necessarily the case. We still have the Obi exception which is more than the disabled player exception by a bit I think. And, I don’t think there are the same issues with that. So, correct me if I’m wrong, but we can trade the Obi TPE, and whatever for a multi-year player (as long as don’t go above the 10mil per or so hard cap limit. ...is this correct? 😁
Thanks Hek! The Obi exception is for less than 7.8 (it’s 6.8 I believe) but isn’t limited to one year. It also cannot be combined.
Ah, got it. So, they could sign or trade for a player at 6.8 or under, and that player can be on a multi-year contract.
Hope you're feeling better soon! I'm impressed this is your first bout of COVID, but even more impressed that you still managed to churn out a newsletter! Rest up!
Thank you John!
Thoughts on Isaiah Stewart as a possibility? Seems like more than a band-aid ($15m/yr extension kicks in next year), but I’ve seen his name in trade buzz lately, he’s from NY (Rochester but still), tough rebounder, stretches the floor -- is the salary + likely asking price simply too steep?
I’ve actually always liked Plumlee so I’d be cool with that. Drummond...meh.
Second question is: even if the Knicks find a target who fit the 7.8m exception, what sort of asset will we have to give up? Will teams price gouge knowing how important Mitch was? I guess what I’m asking is, how desperate do you think Leon / Thibs will feel (assuming we get the exception in the first place)?
Hoping you feel better soon and that your family is well.
Thank you Mike! Will write about it some more today but don’t think they’re breaking the bank to address this issue. Beef Stew for example would be far more than a stop gap.
I think Isaiah Stewart has a poison pill due to rookie contract extension
Yup. Another issue.
I remembered hearing that on the BS podcast. See. I did pick stuff up at 2x speed!!
Upon further investigation, there are a lot of free agents with varying levels of NBA experience. Some interesting names if they’re not completely washed:
https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/current_free_agents
Seems they’re considering trade applying for that exception, but I wonder if saving assets and going this route makes more long-term sense.
Feel better Macri. Maybe we can steal Demarcus from China 😂
1971-72.
Willis Reed goes out for the season. Jerry Lucas (who had not played center before) takes over as starting center and Knicks go to finals against Lakers. I-Hart isn't a HOF like Lucas, but I wouldn't throw the towel in on the season. I'm concerned that Sims seems to have regressed from his rookie season (though alot of his minutes were at the end of the season against teams going nowhere). A capable backup will be needed and I still wonder if Nurlens Hands Of Stone Noel is a possibility. He isn't physically imposing or a good rebounder but plays good defense.
Great call back. And I want no part of Noel. Telling that he’s not on a team right now.
Get well soon, Jon.
Damn Bro - Sorry to hear about your Covid result. Hopefully you're able to recover quick and it doesn't completely take you out of commission over the holiday. My kids are all older but I remember all the early morning planning for Santa's and the energy it takes to be excited for them when they open their gifts - great times but exhausting as well..LOL! Great newsletter as always and appreciate the commitment to get it out.
I was in the bed after that game last night so didn't get to see the postgame show and the Mitch news is new to me reading the newsletter :(. Be interesting to see how the Front Office handles this - I'm feeling like this could possibly give us some tea leaves to read on what the FO plans to do this off season to push us to true contender tier status. I'm confident that we can count on the fact that the FO expects to keep building on their current level of play, Thibs ain't ever gonna just play out the string and the team goals are to again at least make it to the ECF 2nd round. I believe we 4 picks total in the upcoming draft as it stands (I get confused on the 2nd rounders with all the swaps...LOL) but was just reading in the Athletic that this year's draft class is looking a bit weak. Do the Knicks go the route of 1 year rental on a back up or do they take a swing at one of their next board pieces, start their roster consolidation and give up some assets (while retaining enough for the big move)?
Thanks Phil! Definitely hoping to be better by Christmas morning. And re: how this impacts their thinking, will answer in today’s newsletter.
Rest up and hope you feel better soon . We need you for 2 glorious recaps after we go 2-0 this weekend.
Ha. Thanks KW. I’m counting on it.
Part of me is very curious to see how we look against Milwaukee and Boston with iHart starting. I love Mitch, but there’s always a nagging thought in the back of my mind that he’s not the right fit for this team at center. Though he will surely be missed and I’ll probably regret these silly words.
Question - what happens if we are granted a DPE and Mitch is ready to return earlier than expected? Say March or April?
He gets to play. But I wouldn’t count on that happening.
Thanks, Jon. Somehow I missed you got Covid! Hope you feel better.
Thanks Sean!
We know nothing about Mitch’s surgery compared to Julius’s. But assume they are the same procedure. Julius was out 5 months. That would put Mitch at mid May. I would assume Mitch needs a longer recovery with his body.