Around the League: Off-season

[ShelC]

Randle earned himself a big contract with his superb season for the Knicks. And the fans love him there. Good for him.

I still think the Knicks team has sort of peaked. I don't think a team with their core can be a contender, especially with other East teams like the Nets, Bucks, and 76ers in the way.

But I don't believe that it should be title-or-bust for every team. Being 4th or 5th best in the East and making it 1-2 rounds in the playoffs is still a noble pursuit. And you never know when the planets will align and you'll make an unlikely deep playoff run, like we just did.

It's kinda weird because I think the Knicks added more talent, but may not be as good as last year. They also won't be surprising teams and others in the East did get better. They could have as good a year as last year and finish with a lower playoff seed. Don't love their core either, just feels like a bunch of guys thrown together.

[Flagrant Fowl]

The Knicks have a coaching problem now. There's only so long they'll be able to get by being satisfied as regular season bullies.

[Split T]

Scratch Iggy off the list:



Nets, Lakers, Warriors if you don’t want to watch

[ShelC]

[Indy]

Iggy wouldn't get much time here, unless we have an injury. But his presence would be really valuable. Too bad.

[BlaCkAdDa]

Stil feel we need more big bodies, we've lost Saric and Craig (not that he was that big) and have added only McGee in that mold ... Baynes has been waived I'd take him as a back up on vets min ... unless someone better and more viable is out there?

[Indy]

I completely agree we need another big body, preferably one that can guard 3-5 if needed. I don't think that is Baynes. I am not sure he has anything left.

[ShelC]

We might just head into the season with the current group, maybe give Stix a chance and then see what's out there via trade/buyout during the season.

[Split T]

Good for Kelly! I like the Hornets, I can cheer for them in the East

Ball/Rozier/Hayward/Bridges/Washington with
Bouknight/Oubre/Plumlee off the bench…that’s a solid team. Lacking some star power to make them a serious threat, but as Ball develops, they could be a lot of fun

[Drewsprocket]

Yea I wasn't too crazy about the Lakers roster but those two will help with shooting/spacing.

It appears the Lakers are modifying themselves to beat us. Lol. I still don’t see them putting it all together. Their roster looks like they’re gonna want to get out in transition. The pressure will be on AD to be the sole defensive beast all season for them to win. This is not a number one seed team but could be dangerous in playoffs if they’re healthy and can figure out a way to play together. I like our odds against them.
Russ, Nunn
Monk, THT, Ellington
Melo, Ariza
James,
AD, Howard

[Gladiator]

Yea I wasn't too crazy about the Lakers roster but those two will help with shooting/spacing.

It appears the Lakers are modifying themselves to beat us. Lol. I still don’t see them putting it all together. Their roster looks like they’re gonna want to get out in transition. The pressure will be on AD to be the sole defensive beast all season for them to win. This is not a number one seed team but could be dangerous in playoffs if they’re healthy and can figure out a way to play together. I like our odds against them.
Russ, Nunn
Monk, THT, Ellington
Melo, Ariza
James,
AD, Howard

I think they have gotten quite a bit better and we may have improved marginally but are essentially the same. Not sure I’m as confident about our chances in that match up if it comes to that.

More broadly, how to people see the tiers in the west and where do we sit in that? (Leonard obviously is a big piece to fall in place still)

[Split T]

Iggy is back to the Warriors

PG: Curry, Poole, Iggy
SG: Klay, Toscano-Anderson, Lee
SF: Wiggins, Kuminga, Moody
PF: Draymond, Porter, Bjelica
C: Wiseman, Looney

What do we think of their chances?

[ShelC]

I don't see a lot of depth there and I think way too much has been made about the Igudoala "sweepstakes". They're a bottom tier playoff team in the 7-8 range.

[Shabazz]

Kuminga looked like young Paul George in his Summer League debut.

[Split T]

Forgot they added Otto Porter as well. They are lacking some back court depth and will really need Curry and Klay to be and stay healthy, but I think they’re as good as anyone out west if they are.

If they had grabbed Patty Mills, they’d have been pretty set. I’d also still watch to see what moves they make. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a big move.

[ShelC]

Kuminga looked like young Paul George in his Summer League debut.

Kevin Knox looked like Kevin Durant in SL a few years ago. Gotta wait til the real games start.

[Shabazz]

Kuminga looked like young Paul George in his Summer League debut.

Kevin Knox looked like Kevin Durant in SL a few years ago. Gotta wait til the real games start.

Yeah - Knox really fooled me that summer.

[Split T]

Should suns have some interest here?

[Split T]

Kinda surprised a team like Dallas didn’t offer Jackson more. This is a great deal for LA

[wpmiller42]

Should suns have some interest here?

We should have interest, because I think he would fit in great, but I'm not sure what we could offer? A couple future second round picks? Seems like they could get more than that.