Here's our weekly Knicks mailbag with SNY's NBA Insider Ian Begley...
@knicksquadup9: Do you think RJ and Mitch are good pieces to build around?
At this early stage, I think you can say confidently that both players are good pieces to build with. I'm not sure anyone can say yet whether either player is good enough to build around. There are only a handful of guys in the NBA who have that distinction. And it's too early to place that label on Barrett, 20, or the 22-year-old Robinson.
Robinson has shown plenty of potential as a rim protector/roller in the pick-and-roll/finisher around the rim. He can cover a significant amount of ground for a player his size (7-0) on the defensive end.
Barrett defended, distributed the ball and found a way to get to the rim in his rookie season.
I think Barrett will reach his full potential - whatever that is - because of his strong work ethic/mental approach to his craft. Robinson seems to have significant upside due to his athleticism and touch on a perimeter shot that we haven't seen in game settings - yet.
If Barrett and Robinson can improve/expand their games, perhaps they can one day develop into the type of player(s) that you build rosters around. But they aren't there yet.
@Bennie_Blanco: Play the GM role and tell us what moves you would make to improve next season
How many years do I have on my contract? If I have long-term job security, I'm using my picks to draft players, continuing to try to find a strong young core to build around and one that's attractive to free agents. If I'm on a short-term deal, I would, selfishly, take more of a 'quick fix' approach to try to get this team in the playoffs ASAP so I can keep my job.
For argument's sake, let's say I have a five-year deal with a team option for the fifth season.
In that case, I'd look for a lead guard who can knock shots down with my lottery pick. I think this type of guard can benefit Robinson and Barrett. I'd also look for a perimeter shooter/big man who can shoot later in the draft (New York has a late first-round pick and early second-round pick).
Again, I'm thinking of benefitting Barrett and Robinson - and balancing out my roster - with these selections.
I'd use my cap space this summer to do one of the following: trade for an unwanted contract and acquire draft picks/young players in the deal; overpay for a young player in free agency by offering a big-money, short-term contract; if OKC will agree to a deal that doesn't include future draft picks or Barrett/Robinson, trade for Chris Paul and see if he is open to restructuring his contract (if it's allowed under the next CBA). Getting Paul on the roster will jumpstart the Knicks' effort to build a winning culture and benefit New York's young players exponentially, I think.
No one on my roster would be totally off limits in trade talks. If the opportunity to trade for a young, ascendant star presented itself, I'd be open to packaging picks/young players to get the deal done.
Lastly, depending on how the offseason goes, I would sell my roster on the idea of trying to make the playoffs in 2020-21. This, ideally, would engender a winner's mentality among the young Knicks. But I wouldn't be upset if we ended up in strong lottery position again in 2021, when the draft is expected to include several talented players.
@Vital_WantsATS: The Ball brothers potentially playing for the Knicks
LaVar Ball has been clear that he'd like to see all three of his sons, including LaMelo Ball, in New York. And he isn't the only member of LaMelo's circle who would like to see him in New York. Given that, I can see the Knicks looking to trade up to draft LaMelo Ball, depending on what they'd have to give up in the deal. Signing Li'Angelo to a deal would leave the Knicks open to scrutiny, but if LaMelo is a generational talent, that would be a small price to pay for a player who can help turn your franchise around.
The least likely part of his equation, of course, is acquiring Lonzo Ball.
They'll probably have enough cap space to make Lonzo Ball a big offer in restricted free agency in 2021. But would they want to use that cap space on other free agents in the 2021 class? How would Lonzo Ball fit on the Knick roster at that point?
@jake94592119: Will the Knicks get an all-star in this upcoming free agency?
Unless Anthony Davis opts out in LA and decides he wants to plant his flag as the driving force behind a Knicks' resurgence, I would guess that they don't spend big money on an established All Star in 2020 free agency. I think it's more likely that they offer large, short-term contracts to young players than offering long-term deals to established All-Stars. Given where the Knicks are in the team-building process, I don't think it would make sense to commit a big, long-term contract to a player who could be on the wrong end of his peak at the end of the deal.
Quick Hitters
@PrimeCarmelo: Is it true that if the Wizards go 0-8, they will have higher odds than the Knicks?
No. For Lottery purposes, Washington can't finish lower in the league standings than the Knicks. New York is locked in to the sixth-worst record in the NBA, regardless of how things play out in Orlando.
@Nyman_432 Best dancer on the team?
LOL. Not sure. Hasn't Bobby Portis posted some videos of his dance moves on Instagram?
@PrimeCarmelo: Who do you think the Knicks have more interest in, if you had to guess: Killian Hayes or Cole Anthony?
If I had to guess, it would be Hayes. But I don't have any strong insight into that particular question/scenario.
Thanks for your questions, everyone. Much appreciated. If I didn't answer your question here or in a video, I will try my best to get to it in the future.