Post by irish2u2 on Jun 26, 2022 12:45:05 GMT -5
The Knicks will likely tender Jalen Brunson a 4 yr/100+ million contract shortly after midnight on the 1st of July. This is the end result of all the draft day maneuvering that saw Kemba Walker, arguably the most difficult Knick to move, going on to Detroit where he will be bought out. The Knicks have a team option on Taj Gibson they can use to get even more cap room. The market on Nerlins Noel is a mystery but if the Knicks wish to move Alec Burks and/or Evan Fournier there is a market for both of them.
Right after signing Brunson the Knicks will sign Mitchell Robinson. He has a minuscule 1.5 or so million cap hold and the Knicks hold his Bird Rights so they can match any offer for him. Keeping Mitch and signing Brunson are likely the extent of the Knicks off season moves. As stated before in other posts the Knicks have a lot of trade material in picks and players should a superstar player become available. I was so happy the Knicks, so far, are able to keep Obi, IQ and especially Cam Reddish. I would have gladly sacrificed any or all to get Jaden Ivey but that wasn't happening.
I think the Knicks may have a sleeper in Cam Reddish. Before he played a minute at Duke Cam was considered the best of the Dookies trio of incoming stud players and projected as the #1 draft pick in the 2019 draft. That trio included Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett. When the true ability of Zion was demonstrated Cam took a backseat to him and ultimately RJ too. But there is still a ton of talent, impressive skills and that awful "U" word...upside.
Here is Cam's Draft Profile on nbadraft.net.
Obviously Cam is a better player than we think. On the athletic side Cam is a better athlete than RJ but obviously nowhere near Zion. He's 6'8 in sneakers with a 7'1 wingspan. I spent an hour or so watching Cam Reddish highlight video. Obviously it's the "highlights" but you can see a number of positive aspects Cam brings to the team. I love the soft rotation on his shot and his shot is almost picture perfect. If Cam can take better shots they have a good chance of going in with his quick release, his ability to stop and pop wherever and a smooth touch. Cam excels at taking jumpers off the bounce which is almost a lost art. He's a good passer and he has an exceptional handle. On defense he uses his length and athleticism well. He's strong too.
My ideal scenario for this season is obviously fixing the PG problem. Likely that will be Brunson. Keep Mitch. With Randle and RJ you have ⅘ of a starting team. I am hoping Cam Reddish can be that last starter at SF. I think he has the combination of everything the Knicks need to complement Randle and Robinson. That means Rose, IQ, Obi and whoever is left from last year's free agent signings namely Burks and Fournier come off the bench. I wouldn't mind keeping Fournier but I also think Quentin Grimes has a ton of potential too. The Knicks are nowhere near challenging for an NBA title but they can make the playoffs. They can be a spoiler and most of they are young with lots of individual growth ahead of them. Randle and Brunson are pretty much finished products as well as Rose and whoever is left standing amongst the older vets. The key for NY is all that youth nowhere near their ceiling as players. Cam Reddish is one of those guys.
Right after signing Brunson the Knicks will sign Mitchell Robinson. He has a minuscule 1.5 or so million cap hold and the Knicks hold his Bird Rights so they can match any offer for him. Keeping Mitch and signing Brunson are likely the extent of the Knicks off season moves. As stated before in other posts the Knicks have a lot of trade material in picks and players should a superstar player become available. I was so happy the Knicks, so far, are able to keep Obi, IQ and especially Cam Reddish. I would have gladly sacrificed any or all to get Jaden Ivey but that wasn't happening.
I think the Knicks may have a sleeper in Cam Reddish. Before he played a minute at Duke Cam was considered the best of the Dookies trio of incoming stud players and projected as the #1 draft pick in the 2019 draft. That trio included Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett.
When the true ability of Zion was demonstrated Cam took a backseat to him and ultimately RJ too. But there is still a ton of talent, impressive skills and that awful "U" word...upside. Here is Cam's Draft Profile on nbadraft.net.
Versatile small forward with good shooting and overall offensive skills … Not elite vision but his handle allows him to make plays for others and himself … Able to bring the ball up even against pressure … An above average athlete. Very fluid and coordinated, doesn’t look out of place at any position 1-4 … Will find open man, comfortable making a pass off the dribble, keeps his head up, likes to draw and kick … Shot selection needs work but he has excellent range on his 3-point shot, already comfortable from NBA range … Quick release. Gets low to the ground with his handle, flexible, has serious moves off the dribble even though he did not always get to showcase them at Duke as the third option behind Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett … Live dribble counters, can stop on a dime and pull up or use size and craft to get all the way … Handle doesn’t slow him down at all, in open court situation, his top speed is good … When feet are set and he goes up with balance he is a terrific shooter … Low 3-point percentages seem to be more a product of role and shot selection, but he could provide spacing in modern game … Great physical tools at 6’7 with 7’1 wing span … Excellent anticipation and timing to go along with length, absolutely a terror in full court press, traps and passing lanes … His wingspan and size even allows him to be a weak side shot blocker … When inspired, a good rebounder as well … Not huge but solid frame, can play some small ball 4, does well with contact, fights for rebounds, can post up, understands positioning … High level defensive potential, super versatile but active with quick hands as well … Length allows him to cover huge distance …
Weaknesses: Struggled to live up to his potential at Duke and really struggled with consistency … Deferred to teammates far too often, and never seemed to find a rhythm … Competitiveness and toughness came into question during season … Not an explosive finisher, gets to the basket with handle and skill more than athletic ability … Doesn’t really get up as much as you’d expect with his length, struggles to finish in tight spaces and over length … Below average first step, his tendency to settle for jumpers is partly explained by inability to beat guys to spots and set them up with fakes, all giving the impression that he has average quickness … Often poor shot selection … Loves pull up for 3s. Has a bad tendency to take zero pass pull up 3s … Often has poor balance on pull ups, tends to lean or fade instead of going straight up … Still learning how to run pick and roll … Determination and dedication need work … Disappeared for long stretches in many games at Duke, lacking assertiveness …
Weaknesses: Struggled to live up to his potential at Duke and really struggled with consistency … Deferred to teammates far too often, and never seemed to find a rhythm … Competitiveness and toughness came into question during season … Not an explosive finisher, gets to the basket with handle and skill more than athletic ability … Doesn’t really get up as much as you’d expect with his length, struggles to finish in tight spaces and over length … Below average first step, his tendency to settle for jumpers is partly explained by inability to beat guys to spots and set them up with fakes, all giving the impression that he has average quickness … Often poor shot selection … Loves pull up for 3s. Has a bad tendency to take zero pass pull up 3s … Often has poor balance on pull ups, tends to lean or fade instead of going straight up … Still learning how to run pick and roll … Determination and dedication need work … Disappeared for long stretches in many games at Duke, lacking assertiveness …
Obviously Cam is a better player than we think.
On the athletic side Cam is a better athlete than RJ but obviously nowhere near Zion. He's 6'8 in sneakers with a 7'1 wingspan. I spent an hour or so watching Cam Reddish highlight video. Obviously it's the "highlights" but you can see a number of positive aspects Cam brings to the team. I love the soft rotation on his shot and his shot is almost picture perfect. If Cam can take better shots they have a good chance of going in with his quick release, his ability to stop and pop wherever and a smooth touch. Cam excels at taking jumpers off the bounce which is almost a lost art. He's a good passer and he has an exceptional handle. On defense he uses his length and athleticism well. He's strong too.My ideal scenario for this season is obviously fixing the PG problem. Likely that will be Brunson. Keep Mitch. With Randle and RJ you have ⅘ of a starting team. I am hoping Cam Reddish can be that last starter at SF. I think he has the combination of everything the Knicks need to complement Randle and Robinson. That means Rose, IQ, Obi and whoever is left from last year's free agent signings namely Burks and Fournier come off the bench. I wouldn't mind keeping Fournier but I also think Quentin Grimes has a ton of potential too. The Knicks are nowhere near challenging for an NBA title but they can make the playoffs. They can be a spoiler and most of they are young with lots of individual growth ahead of them. Randle and Brunson are pretty much finished products as well as Rose and whoever is left standing amongst the older vets. The key for NY is all that youth nowhere near their ceiling as players. Cam Reddish is one of those guys.
