INTERVIEW | Navigating The Nonsense 2.0 w/ Michael Scotto of HoopsHype 

(01:35) - Isaiah Hartenstein's free agency (05:46) - OG Anunoby's free agency (11:53) - Paul George's free agency & how it affects the Knicks (16:46) - Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson & Tom Thibodeau's extension (19:21) - The Knicks reported quest for a superstar (24:10 ) - Mikal Bridges & the dream of a Knicks/Nets trade (29:24) - Possible Knicks draft targets (31:34) - Bojan Bogdanovic's option & future with the team READ: Aggregate 2024 NBA Mock Draft: Post Combine Intel; Bronny James to Lakers? - hoopshype.com/lists/aggregate-2024-nba-mock-draft-post-combine-intel-bronny-james-to-lakers/

Awesome pod Jon. And I agree with Michael that there will likely have to be a subtraction from the roster (very likely Mitch or Julius) for cap purposes after OG, I-Hart, JB get extended. And I love Towns as a person but want absolutely nothing to do with him on his super max deal! Minnesota should have to give up picks to get off that contract plus he doesn’t fit the identity of this team.

I like the idea of maxing OG and IHart, for year 1 and descend years after that. It works well for the cap and resigning Jules & Brunson. I trust this front office to get it done.

PG in Philly with Embid and Maxey doesn’t scare me. PG and Embid are both always hurt. I like the Knicks chances if we run it back.

Run it back with eryone except maybe trade Mitch (and maybe see what you can get for Bogey if possible), and move out some picks. Look to get a backup wing, maybe a Torrey Craig or Finney Smith typa player that can guard up or down OR try to nab an Isaiah Jackson typa player (someone young and assertive on the defensive end - kinda like how Mitch was when he first got to NY) Slight upgrades that wont disrupt the dynamic of the team

I wonder what the Knicks would do if the nightmare scenario of OG and Hartenstein signing elsewhere. Ideally both will come back.

Demar Caruso and Vuc for Bojan Mitch Deuce 3 or 4 1sts Bojan Mitch Deuce combined salary is $38mil Vuc + Caruso hit $29.8mil, We can match/exceed 125% of the outgoing salary in a deal Caruso is a top tier point of attack defender and ultimate Thibs guy. (Sucks losing Deuce but Caruso fits the timeline of contention is an overall upgrade) he's also a better facilitator than Deuce while maintaining roughly the same 3 point shooting. He can also start next to Brunson depending on matchups. For example if we faced the mavs you just know Thibs would LOVE to have two big all defensive wings to put on Kyrie(Caruso's assignment) and Luka (OG's assignment) Also Donte's shooting ability would be much welcomed next to Deebos ability to drive Vuc provides much needed versatility on offense from our backup center position. Can Stretch the floor (or at least is looked at as a threat to do so league wide) And can pass from out of the post and face up situations. I love Mitch to death but his limitations on offense are a killer. And he's always hurt. Vuc is also injury prone (as is iHart for that matter smh) but I like the idea of splitting minutes down the middle between iHart and Vuc. Still getting strong rebounding from the Center position while losing a bit on defense... but that offensive versatility and passing ability at the 5 for 48 mins a night will be great to see. Now this would ALL be contingent on a Derozan extend and trade @ $17.7mil annual to run the offense off the bench on a true contender. He adds the mid range shooting we simply don't really have outside of Randle and Brunson. Demar would be a sixth man of the year candidate on this roster that truly provides him his best chance at a chip. That ring is really the only thing left for him to cap off a HOF career so I do believe he'd be interested even at a discount. Not starting and taking less might be too much but at 34 I feel like Deebo might play ball. Maybe resign Precious to be the emergency backup 4/5 and bring over Rokas? Brunson/Caruso (Rokas not in rotation) Donte/Demar OG/Hart/Demar Randle/OG/Hart (Precious not in rotation) iHart/Vuc (24 min each) I know folks want a star... but that team is CRAZY deep and fit each other pretty well. If healthy we will bludgeon teams as were essentially trotting out 7 starters 1 Allstar and 1 Superstar every night. Fill out the roster with ring chasing vets or second rounders and give it a go... Fanspo says we'd gain 10 wins from last year and increase both our Offense and Defense ratings which just might track. On offense we'd be trading out 4 assists per game and receiving 12.1 assists per game (granted they'd all be getting less minutes but still the facilitation would from each of these positions would be increased) We'd also see a increase in FTs shooting ability going from Mitch to Vuc. Demars always been a good FT shooter and he's comfortable getting to the line. Caruso is an average FT shooter and Vuc is a great FT shooting big man. And lowkey can still package more picks Demar and Vuc together in a deal for a star if we really feel the need... (cough cough Mikal in a year if the nets trade him elsewhere) Would love to hear your thoughts JMac! Jeremy please let me know if my capology skills have f'd us into the second apron! BTW this Scatto ep was great! Love the pod keep up the great work!

Not a fan of the Embid train anymore. He’s getting up there in age and is injury prone. Most I would give up is 2 firsts

Imagine OG goes back to Toronto and Dolan finally puts out a hit on Masai Ujiri.

sometimes I wish Ju left so yall would finally see how stupid the disrespect of an all nba player is..