Rumor The Knicks have Wes and Monroe at the top of their FA list

The Knicks have Wes and Monroe at the top of their FA list and have the cap to land both.

They also have Butler on their list but Chicago has already let it be known that they intend to max him out.

How do you replace Wes? He's the heart of the team so it wouldn't be easy.

My pick? He's not a SG but he is versatile - can play SG/SF and recently at PF.

Khris Middleton

Stats: 11 PPG | 5 RPG | 2 APG | 42 3PT% (career 40%) | 16 PER

He's 23 and a RFA - I think you offer him a front-loaded Wes type of contract. With his production and age I think he'll comand close to $8-9m/per.

 

I thought the Blazers would just hand Wes his contract and pen and he'd sign it? Easy as that.

 

I never think this way, but with Wes being such an integral part of our team and everyone respecting his impact, I think he might be loyal to us. I think if given a situation where he was offered ~10 mil from POR, and 13 mil from NYK, he'll take the POR offer.

 

Agreed. Between management appreciating how valuable Wes is to the team and Wes being such a character guy, it's hard to imagine anyone prying him away. I guess the only way I could see this is if someone grossly overpaid (max), then I'm not sure what would happen. Wes would probably have to take the money and I don't think Portland could come close given LMA and Dame. But, I think anyone maxing out Wes is unlikely.

My personal hope is that all the starters agree to take a bit of a hit (see Tim Duncan) to keep the team together and support each other staying.

 

I just can't work myself up right now to a hand-wringing worry session about what might happen next summer. Finish this season strong, win a frickin' title and then let the off-season play itself out.

 

Once you've played team ball, I don't think you really want to abandon it unless you're getting lowballed.

 

Is NY still trying to run the triangle offense? Is Wes really suited for that type of offense? Why would Phil notify anyone who is at the top of his target list? Something does not smell right with this scenario.

 

This is the New York Knicks we're talking about. They wipe their asses with the receipts of bad contracts dating back to at least Allen Houston. In fact, Allen Houston could very well be Mathews' agent's role model.

I wouldn't blame Wes a bit if he took a mega contract--it'd be massive "fuck you money" to every team who passed on him in the draft (which is all of them) and doubly to the Jazz for letting us pry him away. He doesn't owe us a thing. We've had a good run with him, and he has great chemistry with this team, but his dad was an NBA'er and he's seen what kind of business this is. Follow the money, Wes. I know I would in your shoes.

I think CJ was drafted in anticipation of Wes potentially departing (either because he was too good and wanted too much money, or just not enough to move the needle toward contention). Hopefully he continues to improve. Smaller back courts aren't as much of an issue in the modern NBA. You need quickness more than strength now. Guards draw fouls with speed (Rose) and herky jerky moves that get them tagged on an arm (Harden). Strength and size like Bonzi or Steve Smith had just isn't at quite as much a premium anymore.

I'd like to see Paul Allen open up the bank account to extend Wes, but the Knicks are where all bad ideas go up to bat, and giving Matthews ridiculous money seems like another home run for them.

 

Yes. Mods please change title to: "A Thread To Give You Erectile Dysfunction"

 

This HAS to happen, IMO. If LMA wants to go down as the "best Blazer ever" then he has to spearhead this - get together with Wes, Rolo and Neil and figure out a fair way for everyone to take less, but not feel cheated, so Neil has the flexibility to continue to improve the roster. If LMA does this it'll go a long way towards changing my opinion of him, but mostly it'll help him achieve his goals.

 

Damn right.

 

Sexist.

I'd just go with the gender neutral, "THE SKY IS FALLING!!! THE SKY IS FALLING!!!"

 

Then do what I do to floppers, ignore them.

 

This

 

Neil has already said that he intends to keep Wes. Knicks fans are the ones who should be worried.

 

Isn't the cap going up significantly with the next tv contract? If the Blazers max out Wes now it might be a baragin in a season or two. Anyone know more about that?

 

Afflalo if you could acquire him with the rumored deals would be a start.

But I think if you keep LA, you keep Wes.