We are about a month or so away from games and the league announced the 19-20 cap/tax threshholds (109m/132m). My Knicks are going to be pathetic so here we go: #PatheticForReddish #CryinForZion #TarotForBarrett Knicks stated that they will give KP as much time as he needs and will not rush him back. Thank goodness. Make sure that knee is better then before and stability is there. I think Fiz will finally use him as a 5 which is good since his rim defense was top 5 pre injury. Frank Ntilikina added 10-15lbs and grew 1.5 inches. Hes got to be around 6'8". I like having him as a PG. Hes a beast on D which is good since the rest of the team isnt. Maybe most importantly...nothing stupid please...keep the draft pick. Ian Begley @IanBegley Asked by about past Knicks mistakes that the organization will avoid in the future, president Steve Mills says, “We’re not going to trade any of our (1st round) draft picks.” Mills adds that they aren’t going to trade assets for a player that they can sign in free agency. 8:02 PM · Sep 17, 2018
Jimmy Butler requests a trade, and supposedly has 3 teams on his list. Reports are Miami is one of them, which makes a ton of sense. The guy was born to be a part of Heat culture, and Wade is there. My guess would be NY and LA for the other two teams. I think Pat has to go and make this happen, though. Miami has the chips as Thibs probably won't want the bulk to be future assets.
Miami is not one of them. Knicks, Nets, and Clippers (Why?!?!) https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1608928 A package of Lee and Timmy Jr for Butler and Tollivers expiring matches very closely...
Well, that's what Woj says. It make some sense as all three teams will have the cap space to add Kyrie next offseason. I still believe the Heat are in on him (Ethan and others have said they are). I also don't believe that the package you listed would be the best deal they can get. Miami can offer much more, and even if they're not on his list, the T'Wolves are going to take the best deal.
From Ethan Skolnick, one of the most plugged in media members to the Miami Heat organization there is:
Eh im not sure the best deal is what the wolves will take. For one, im not sold Thibs will want a package of futures. Two, im not sold a team will give up a package of futures for a guy who doesnt want to resign there. Technically, the Knicks can trump (no pun intended) any offer just by offering their 1st which is likely a top 5 pick. But if they can just sign the guy, why trade their own picks? They could also simply shuffle off TH JR to say Sacremento (they have cap space, a need at the 2, and need a scorer) for say Willie Cauley Stein, expirings and a future right to swap 1s (or something to that effect) and deal that with Lee for Butler... Obviously spitballing ideas but i think its in play.
Look, id personally rather be in Miami then LAC. One team has a history of being clueless and the other has Pat Riley. But Woj...
Woj is also saying this in his article... Sounds kind of like a hedge, and considering Miami would have to trade for him, not sign him, space could be created in the trade. Either way, Woj is including them as an option, and if they truly are willing to pay up for Butler, probably have the best package to offer that Thibs would want. It would be a gamble for Miami, but Riley has made a career on making deals like this whether it be Mourning, Hardaway, Mashburn, Shaq, Dragic, etc.
Aside from Winslow and Bam, im not sure theres a lot of assets there teams will consider desireable. Whiteside could be good but easily could be a mess with Thibs and Towns. Could happen but itll be interesting to see what teams consider desireable given your cap situation
The other interesting thing at play here is some of Miami's "untradable" players could actually be of interest to Minnesota here. Thibs won't be looking to add draft picks and players that won't help immediately as the main pieces. His seat is heating up, and he'll be looking to add talent now. And Minnesota isn't exactly a big FA draw either, so conserving cap space may not be a priority. Because of that, they may have some interest in guys like James Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Dion Waiters, or maybe even Hassan (although probably not) around a package that would certainly have to include Josh Richardson. Kelly Olynyck is another guy that might be appealing, although as a Heat fan, I'm not sure how much I want to move him. Something like Richardson, Olynyck, and a 1st might realistically be the best package they can get, and you'd think Miami would be willing to take a chance with that package as much as they love those two players. But if they could swing something involving one of those previous names instead of Olynyck, and avoid trading Bam, that would be a really great deal for Miami. You're not going to get a Kawhi return here. "Desirable" is a relative term in a situation like this. Richardson or Bam are Miami's most desirable players, but I think there are other players they'd like. Those two are probably the best players they could get back from any team at this point, unless there is some kind of dark horse. I don't think Miami will have to give up both, though.
Not exactly Woj (or anything close, lol) when it comes to reliability, but these guys do have some sources. They talked quite a bit about Miami's interest in Duncan Robinson before the draft. They were the only ones I heard tying Miami to him.
I told you at the beginning of free agency (when everyone still was thinking LeBron was the Rockets' target) that Jimmy Butler was Morey's actual #1 target. Our sources were reporting this rift waaayy before the national media. Nothing has changed. Just know that Butler was in Italy (last month) and the Bahamas (last week) when the Rockets were there. I'm just saying...
The Clippers could offer Tobias 1-1. Both expiring...Id imagine the clippers woukd want to pair Jimmy and Harris though.
$18.6 mil this year...we'll wait, lol. He has been looking good this summer tho. I've seen him in a couple of runs with Harden. Knicks should run more pick and roll with him. He is very good at it.
Our defensive coordinator retired 2 days ago. I can't lie...I'm concerned about Dantoni not having him. They made a great coaching duo these last 2 seasons.
Yeah, I don't get it. They have cap space to bring in Kawhi or Kyrie alongside him next offseason, but you're playing in a conference you probably cannot win, and won't even be the biggest star in your town playing in LeBron's shadow.
Doesnt seem odd to me. Butler wants the ball. He gets whiney when he doesnt get the touches he expects. Not everyone can play with Lebron and be asked to take an off the ball role. You need to be able to set your ego aside
Am I the only heat fan not excited about Jimmy Butler? He's 29, going to cost a lot in the future, and the main selling point on acquiring him is not his actual skill set, but that other players may follow. https://nba.nbcsports.com/2018/09/2...ears-155-million-to-his-contract-this-summer/ There's also the whole Gabrielle Union picture thing. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/08/dw...-union-jimmy-butler-instagram-comments-threat
James Ennis looks good at training camp so far. He is pushing Melo and Eric Gordon for that final starting forward spot. Props to Mama Ennis for making him come to Houston for less money, lol (that's what he said at media day).
He just turned 29, so he still has several years in his prime, and not a ton of mileage. He's a top 15 player in the league, and if the Heat keep most of their good players, makes them potentially a top 3 seed in the conference. He fits the Heat system and culture to a T. And like you mention, he greatly increases their chances of landing another star. It's a slam dunk decision on the Heat's part. If they can get him for some of the rumored deals out there, it would be a steal. If it were me, I'd have no problem including JRich in the deal, though, and I hope they don't lose out on the deal by playing hardball on him. And the Gabby Union thing was a joke. Wade and Butler were seen singing karaoke together a few weeks ago.
Brian Windhorst says the Heat are offering Dragic but the Wolves want Richardson. He also said Spo loves Butler and he really wants the trade to go through.
You probably are the only heat fan not excited about it. I’m pretty sure Jimmy and Wade are close friends, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. It’s all in good fun.
