There are three days left until the NBA Draft. Free agency officially begins next Sunday night.
At this point in the calendar, teams across the NBA are weighing trade possibilities.
Most of these business conversations are ultimately irrelevant.
The only conversations that really matter are those that result in real exchanges.
So the fact that michel robinsonThat the name has come up in some of the Knicks’ trade talks with rival teams isn’t all that surprising (The Wizards are among the teams whose conversations with the Knicks have included dialogue about Robinson. I’m sure several other teams have talked to New York about Robinson, their 26-year-old starting center.)
If the Knicks decide to move Robinson this offseason, it would be surprising if they executed a trade before or during the NBA Draft.
Isaiah HartensteinAs you know, he is an unrestricted free agent.
The Knicks would presumably need to know Hartenstein’s status before moving Robinson.
So if they make a trade on draft night, they have full confidence that Hartenstein will return or they have full confidence that they can trade another center.
I guess the Knicks have been preparing for all the scenarios involving Robinson and Hartenstein.
People in contact with the Knicks say the club is weighing what would happen if they lose Hartenstein or trade Robinson.
big magic man Goga Bitadze is among the centers that have been on New York’s radar if it needs to pivot. There are probably many other centers under consideration for this scenario.
A note on Hartenstein: I still assume Hartenstein returns to New York If you’re deciding between an offer from the Knicks and a slightly higher offer. The Knicks have the early rights to Hartenstein, so they can only offer him approximately $16 million in the first year of his new contract. It can last up to four years and up to $72 million.
Teams with cap space, such as Orlando and Oklahoma City, can offer Hartenstein significantly more than New York. In theory, those teams can offer Hartenstein a number that would be difficult to say no to. Another factor to consider if Hartenstein receives a ‘Godfather’ offer? State income tax. The state income tax in Oklahoma is lower than in New York. Florida has no state income taxes.
The Knicks entered the free agency period feeling like they were in a good place with both Hartenstein and OG Anunobi but fully aware that they will arouse interest on the open market.
JERAMI SCHOLARSHIP
As noted above, teams are having tons of talk about potential trades at this point in the league calendar. Several teams, including the Mavs, have reported Jerami GrantThe situation in Portland. Grant, 30, is entering the second season of a five-year, $190 million contract with the Trail Blazers. According to ESPN insider Bobby Marks, the salary cap is expected to rise steadily over the next few seasons due to the NBA’s new broadcast rights deal. This is relevant because the Grant deal will look very different in 2 or 3 years than it does today.
