PURSUIT OF VICTOR-Y

There’s a lot going on as we approach NBA transaction season so let’s jump right into the mailbag. Thanks for your questions: Bundy, if you were in charge of constructing the Knicks roster for this upcoming season, what would be your approach? Would you continue to keep salary flexibility and build through the draft or attempt to trade for a Chris Paul/Russell Westbrook/Victor Oladipo? – Mike Sargolini

Thanks Mike for taking me back to middle school, circa 1994, by calling me Bundy. As an adult, I now wonder how Al supported a family and owned a home on a shoe salesman’s salary. Here’s the Bundy plan for the Knicks: prioritize Victor Oladipo and, assuming the Knicks keep the eighth pick, draft Kira Lewis Jr. I’d also trade for Chris Paul at the right price (without giving up first-round picks) and avoid anything to do with Russell Westbrook. Why? Oladipo is a low-risk, highreward acquisition and we’d be buying low. The injury is obviously still a concern, but only two seasons ago he was a two-way star that pushed LeBron James to seven games in the playoffs. His contract is easily digested as an expiring at $21 million. There will be competition for Oladipo in the trade market, and a limit to the cost.

But he’s my big play. Paul, even if only temporarily, would push the young Knicks to greater heights, and the franchise needs a boost after years upon years of rebuilding. I’m wary of the two years, $85 million left on Paul’s contract, especially since Giannis Antetokounmpo could hit free agency next summer. But expiring deals are movable and they didn’t hire Tom Thibodeau to tank. Westbrook is the opposite. He doesn’t make his teammates better.

Has the Mets sale by the Wilpons had any affect on Dolan and his thoughts on ever selling the team?? – @politicalG4

I doubt Dolan is swayed by the $2.4 billion Mets price tag; the Knicks could go for double that. He’s repeated multiple times that the Knicks are not for sale. However, it ’s worth mentioning here that Dolan’s biggest investments are in live entertainment venues, which are getting slammed by the pandemic. Just this month, MSG furloughed over 1,700 workers, including ushers and ticket sellers. And in August, MSG Sports laid off 15% of its staff. Even before COVID-19, Dolan’s biggest venue construction, The MSG Sphere in Las Vegas, was panned as a money pit, and now the opening is delayed from 2021 to 2023.

I doubt Dolan is struggling too much — just look at the money he spent on the Knicks’ coaching and executive staff — but it’s worth monitoring. MSG Entertainment Group reported just $9 million in revenue in the last quarter, which is a 96% decrease from 2019. Dolan desperately wants live indoor entertainment back. His proposal to only sell tickets to people with COVID antibodies was rejected, telling Billboard he was “stonewalled”

Knicks should make Victor Oladipo a priority this offseason, and also trade for Chris Paul. by the government. If New York ever ended restrictions like Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida, he’d open MSG’s doors immediately and try to fill to capacity. Whether or not people are as eager to crowd indoor spaces is the big question.

When does free agency even start? – Elias McMillan

We still don’t know for sure because the league hasn’t set the salary cap and luxury tax for next season. That should be announced before the draft on Nov. 18, but it’s complicated because the pandemic has cut deeply into revenue. Most likely the league and union will agree to keep the cap close to its current levels, despite the loss of revenue, and find other ways to balance the books. The deadlines for contract options will likely be a day or two before free agency, and that’s relevant to the Knicks because they have team options on Elfrid Payton ($8 million), Bobby Portis ($15.75 million), Taj Gibson ($10.2 million), Wayne Ellington ($8.2 million), Reggie Bullock ($4.2 million) and Theo Pinson ($1.7 million).

I love Mitch Robinson but big men are becoming obsolete. Especially in the playoffs. If his agents start playing hardball when it comes to an extension, do you think the Knicks should explore trading him? I would trade him now to Golden State for the 2nd pick if they would do it straight up and we can keep the 8th pick. – Nick from Hell’s Kitchen

Golden State is not relinquishing the second overall pick straight up for Mitchell Robinson. In one sentence you’re saying big men are obsolete in the playoffs, and in another suggesting the Warriors — who are planning to make a deep run in the playoffs —might trade for him. With that being said, it’s worth discussing Robinson’s contract situation because it’s something the Knicks will have to deal with at some point. This offseason, Robinson is eligible for a fouryear extension maxed out around $53-55 million (based on the current cap). Such a deal could be completed after the upcoming season as well. Another possibility for the Knicks is making Robinson a restricted free agent in 2021 by declining his $1.8 million team option after this season, thereby controlling his rights with a right to match any offer.

I haven’t heard anything yet about Robinson’s agent pressuring the Knicks into action. My guess is that the conversation gets pushed back until after the season. It was a little worrying that Robinson left voluntary minicamp before group workouts started, as SNY reported. The explanation provided was “personal reasons.” However, according to sources, assistant coach Mike Woodson recently flew to Louisiana to train Robinson.