Here’s an idea of one (OF MANY) dream scenario for the Knicks this offseason:
Re-signing OG + Isaiah: Essentially you max out both of them, but OG takes a small pay cut to remain a member of the Knicks. Dream scenario would probably be about $35-40 million a year for OG, but for this exercise we’ll give him the most.
DeMar DeRozan goes to the Knicks as the 6th Man Scorer/Closer in a sign-and-trade for Bojan Bogdanovic and 2 First Round Picks. Obviously, this is only happening if the Bulls decide to hit the re-build button, and DeMar would be the perfect guy to go get. He fills the need of a scorer and playmaker, and I believe could adjust to a role where he comes off the bench to be the primary scoring option and can close games in scenarios. Defensively, there’s questions for sure about how he would defend, but he’d be surrounded with enough defenders to have all the space. Also, he’d be an upgrade from Bojan because he’s proven throughout his career to be fairly durable as far as injuries go, and if the Knicks do get injured like this past season, DeMar can step up for scoring in the most clutch of times, especially when you put him in a line-up with Brunson. His scoring and playmaking can also get Brunson some more opportunities to score off-ball, which can open up the Knicks offense even more.
In the sign-and-trade, the Bulls would get back 2 First Round Picks + Bojan Bogdanovic. Bojan is a vet who can give the Bulls another perimeter threat next to Coby White. And not only that, it gives the Bulls an expiring contract to use for future cap space and flexibility. Lastly, 2 first round picks to help a Chicago re-build with draft prospects should entice the Bulls to go younger.
And then last but not least, the Knicks try and sign Thomas Bryant to a veteran minimum contract for the backup C insurance behind I-Hart and Mitch. Thomas Bryant would be a great scoring big for New York, and given the injury history of Mitch, he gives the Knicks another big that can give New York stretches in that role.
Knicks fans, let me know what you think in the comments!