Like his free agency, Knicks President Leon Rose was conservative in his first negotiating deadline, Thursday, with very little negotiation.
As competitors from East Miami, Boston and Chicago grow stronger, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau will fight on Thursday against the Wizards and beyond with the same guys he has, unless the Knicks are proactive in the acquisitions market.
Center Andre Drummond tops the list while planning a purchase with Cleveland after the Cavaliers were unable to find a deal in Thursday’s negotiating deadline.
After negotiating with Austin Rivers and Ignas Brazdeikis, the Knicks still have more than $ 14 million in capitalization space and an incredible $ 60 million in summer space.
As The Post said it was already on schedule, Rose plans to make it this summer.
If they do not hire a player via buyout, the cap-room money is divided among the players on the Knicks list as a bonus to reach the NBA’s minimum payroll.
In addition, the Knicks enter draft night with this limit space to potentially make trading easier, while most teams are over the limit
The Knicks have been pacing Drummond like a fit, but he is durable, rebounds and scores centrally, despite analytical experts scoffing at his huge numbers
Drummond is from Mount Vernon, so the Knicks are on his radar, despite reports that the Lakers and the Nets are at the forefront. The Knicks also have a financial advantage over the Lakers and the Nets in that they are able to offer much more than the minimum, with a little guarantee even for next season.
Little striker Otto Porter, who was negotiated with Orlando and could be dismissed, would also be a target.
Within Thursday’s trading deadline, the Knicks won a choice in late 2021 in the second round in their only negotiation to make up for the second round loss to Derrick Rose.
But the Knicks’ biggest victory was the playmaker Lonzo Ball, who stayed in New Orleans, instead of being traded to Chicago, which would control his narrow future as a free agent. The Bulls were involved in serious talks with New Orleans.
As the Post reported, the Knicks were unwilling to give up significant assets to Ball if they felt they could hire him in the summer.
Some Knicks’ targets were negotiated elsewhere, as combo owner Victor Oladipo was moved to Miami, where it is rumored that he would want to sign again this summer. Raptors firing point guard Norman Powell was traded to Portland, but the Knicks may be at stake when he is a free agent.
Other targets included Evan Fournier, traded to Boston, and JJ Redick, moved to Dallas.
For Oladipo, the Rockets obtained Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk and a 2022 draft exchange. The Knicks also had doubts about his long-term health, but GM Scott Perry still thought he could be a major upgrade. He no longer gives orders.
One of the two marginal players that the Knicks acquired from the Sixers in Thursday’s exchange, French center Vincent Poirier and swingman Terrance Ferguson, will likely be dismissed pending their success in the takeover market.
The Knicks were losing two spots on the 15-player roster in Rivers and Brazdeikis and the Knicks were able to trade them in this deal. Rivers and the Knicks have agreed to find a new destination in the All-Star break and he’s been away from the team ever since.