02 Jan 2020 11:27:32
Knicks - Thunder

Knicks gets:
Roberson (expiring)
2020 2nd rd pick (Thunder)

Thunder gets:
Ellington (1 million guaranteed 2020/2021)


Knicks gets an expiring contract and a second for a player that aren't in their future plans, while The Thunder get under the tax and add som shooting of the bench. Maybe add another second rounder to the Knicks.


1.) 02 Jan 2020
02 Jan 2020 13:27:09
I like it for both, and it feels like a realistic trade.

Ellington hasn’t played well this season, but even if he doesn’t recover, getting under the tax makes this well worth a 2nd rounder for OKC- a move that I calculate saves them about $9 million dollars. Even better, they can slide Ellington into the Jerian Grant TPE and create a new $10.7 mil TPE.

If I was NYK, I’d ask for the 2nd plus $2.7 mil in cash to cover the difference, and the Thunder should be willing to pay it.

Nice work, Magsnusarn!


2.) 02 Jan 2020
02 Jan 2020 13:48:04
OKC is $700K under the luxury tax at the moment. Also, can always take back less salary when they trade Gallo.


3.) 02 Jan 2020
02 Jan 2020 18:34:47
@Fredman I believe they are 900k over after the Patton signing.


4.) 02 Jan 2020
02 Jan 2020 20:15:27
I have them at only $170,000 under the lux if they waive Patton by January 10th, as he is only guaranteed for $700,000. If they keep him past that date, he gets the full $1.62 mil guaranteed, so they would be $900,000 over.

Even if they waive Patton, it would be very difficult for a team to operate under the lux with only $170,000 in wiggle room. At a minimum, they will probably need to sign players to 10-day contracts, and keeping that little space really ties Pesti’s hands.

I think this deal gives the Thunder options. If they win a few more games, they may want to hang in the playoff race, and Ellington might even help. If they start losing, then this deal gives them the financial wiggle room to avoid the lux this year.