Knicks: You need size to get outta the East. You have to be able to match up with the likes of Embiid, Giannis, Porzingis, Mobley, Allen, Banchero, Carter Jr., Brook, Horford, and others. Lauri brings the size. His defense is not elite but versatile. And lets be honest he's just a better player than Barrett. Better shooter, rebounder, and scorer. NY still have elite perimeter defenders on the team with Quickley, Hart, and Grimes. Knicks also get a a backup Center who can stretch the floor since Robinson is hurt... again.

ALSO moving off of RJ Barrett clears about 8M of cap next season. They already have a good amount of cap before that... plus being in NY on a competitive team they should be a HOT FA market with a max space to give. The only must-resign guys are Quickley and one of Hartenstein or Olynyk imo.

Kings: Kings are a good team. They continue to prove me wrong like last year and so far this season. But they’re still not a great team. They are not making the WCF and prolly not even getting last round 1 as they stand. The offense is efficient but the defense is lacking. Barrett is an elite versatile perimeter defender who can guard 1-4. He’s not the most efficient offensively but stole a solid 20 ppg scorer and frankly just better than Barnes.

Jazz: Not only continue to add more FRPs to their treasure chest but get back really good pieces too that fit their team. They are not winning anything not now or later. By the time they MIGHT be competitive they are gonna have to pay Markkanen a max.

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Knicks Roster: PG. Brunson

SG. Hart

SF. Markkanen

C. Hartenstein

6. Quickley

7. Divencezno

8. Grimes

9. Olynyk

10. Fournier

11. Sims

12. Jeffries

13. Windler

2024-25 Roster: PG. Brunson

SG. (Derozan? Klay? Near Max Slot)

SF. Markkanen

PF. Randle

C. Robinson

6. Quickley

7. Divencezno

8. Hart

9. Grimes

10. Fournier

11. Sims

12. (Vet Minimum)

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Kings: PG. Fox

SG. Huerter

SF. Barrett

PF. Murray

C. Sabonis

6. Monk

7. Lyles

8. Mitchell

9. McGee

10. Vezenkov

11. Kessler

12. Colby

13. McBride

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Jazz: Jazz: PG. George

SG. Clarkson

SF. Barnes

PF. Collins

C. Kessler

6. Sexton

7. THT

8. Agbaji

9. Duarte

10. Fontechino

11. Hendricks

12. Dunn

13. Len