Winning Changes Everything

No sooner had the New York Knicks parade down the Canyon of Heroes concluded than the focus turned from celebration to concern over whether they could keep their roster together for next season. Unlike players, GMs have no offseason. With James Dolan making it clear that the team would not go into the second apron, Leon Rose was faced with a basic arithmetic problem. He has $16.9 million in available cap space and only nine players signed. The NBA requires each team to carry a minimum of 14. How to divide five into 16, that is the question.

One of those five players is none other than Mitchell Robinson, the center whose rebound off a missed free throw in game five helped seal the Knicks first title in 53 years. Last season, Mitch made just a shade under $13 million. The prevailing view is that he's looking for a pay raise. Now you see the dilemma.

Heading into the NBA Draft, the Knicks had picks 24, 31 and 55. Pick 24 was a first rounder and carried a $3.3 million cap reserve, meaning if Rose had taken a player with that pick, that reserve would've gone immediately against the team's salary cap. $16.9 million minus $3.3 million leaves $13.6 million. Rose couldn't let that happen, so he made a series of moves that surprised even his biggest supporters. 

First he traded pick 24 to the Lakers for pick 25 and cash. He then used that pick to select Sergio Da Larrea from Spain in what wold've been a draft and stash maneuver that the NBA allows teams to get away with to avoid a cap hit. Then he traded Da Larrea to the Mavs for pick 30, which turned out to be Koa Peat and two future second-round picks. Peat was then traded to the Suns for pick 47 in this draft and two future second rounders.

So to sum up, in a little less than 20 minutes, Rose turned his 24th pick, which he never had any attention of keeping, into five second-round picks, one of which is number 47. And he was able to do this with every team in the NBA knowing full well that he had a cap problem. Don't ever play poker or chess with this man. You'll lose everything you own.

So what does Rose do tonight? Does he trade all three of his picks? Does he trade two and keep one? That all depends on what the demand is. It is almost a given that he will trade pick 31 for more future draft capital. But he could use his 47th pick to draft Robinson's replacement.

Let's face it, while Mitch is a fan favorite and an excellent rebounder, the man can't hit a free throw to save his life. Last season he shot 41 percent from the foul line; 29 percent in the postseason. Every team in the NBA employs the hack-a-Mitch tactic. It's not a question of if they use it but when. It's hard to imagine there isn't a center in this draft who could do better for considerably less money.

One of those centers is Ugonna Onyenso from Virginia. He has a 7-5 wing span and is considered an excellent rim protector. ESPN's mock draft has him going to the Magic at 46. If he's there at 47, Rose should definitely take him. The rookie cap hit for a second-round pick is $1.362 million. That's $11.6 million less than Robinson made last season. The thing fans need to keep in mind is that this isn't a buffet, it's a garage sale, and Rose is under no obligation to pick anyone. 

Regardless of whether the Knicks draft a center in the second round or go the free agency rout, it's safe to say that Robinson has played his last game as a Knick. That's the advantage of winning; it gives you the option of thinking long term instead of short term. Had the Knicks lost to the Spurs in the finals, Rose might be tempted to try and convince Dolan to run it back. He doesn't have to do that now. He knows his core is intact. He can fill out the roster anyway he likes.

To a certain extent he's already doing that. Just hours before the draft, Shams Charania reported that the Knicks had re-signed Mohammed Diawara to a four year extension believed to be just over $10 million. At 6-9, Diawara looks like a young Pascal Siakam. It was a savvy move by Rose to lock him up to a team-friendly deal. I expect he will get more playing time next season. Another player who could see more minutes next season is Tyler Kolek, especially if the Knicks lose Landry Shamet in free agency. And then there's last season's free agent pickup, Jose Alvarado. He has a $4.5 million player option. I expect he will opt out and sign a multi-year extension soon. It's nice having options, isn't it?

To quote Mel Brooks, "It's good to be the king." The Knicks are the kings of the NBA.

Long live the kings.