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Scott frances's avatar

Tommy at some point can you please try to explain what is the theory behind the Knicks retaining the rights to 15 European players virtually none of whom have a prayer of playing in the NBA? Thank you.

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Tommy Beer's avatar

Hey Scott - Per the CBA, teams are required to exchange something "tangible" (you can't just trade cash, etc) in order to finalize a trade, even if no salaries are involved. This stipulation can be met by including the rights to a previously drafted player (even if the guy was drafted 10+ years ago)... So, although it is highly unlikely the Knicks will ever need the rights to a 35-year retired European dude - (let alone 10 of them), NY's cap guru, Brock Aller, likes to squeeze out these minor benefits when possible

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Scott frances's avatar

Aha! But 15 of them? That seems a bit whacked. Appreciate all you do Tommy.

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Tommy Beer's avatar

lol yes seems a bit much! Thanks for the kind words, Scott

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Dbn123's avatar
1dEdited

Tommy, I don’t understand why the Knicks acquired Luka Mitrovic from the Clips to move down one slot in the 2nd round in this year’s draft. Because Mitrovic was drafted nine years ago, he cannot be traded by the Knicks so unlike some of the other European players the Knicks have stashed, the only value Mitrovic has is if he came over to play for the Knicks. And at 32,1

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Tommy Beer's avatar

Per previous comment: "The CBA requires teams to exchange something "tangible" (you can't just trade cash, etc) in order to finalize a trade, even if no salaries are involved. This stipulation can be met by including the rights to a previously drafted player (even if the guy was drafted 10+ years ago)... So, although it is highly unlikely the Knicks will ever need the rights to a 35-year retired European dude - (let alone 10 of them), NY's cap guru, Brock Aller, likes to squeeze out these minor benefits when possible

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Dbn123's avatar

Thanks Tommy. I saw your previous comment but it does not seem to apply here. The Knicks did not need to drop from 50 to 51 as they’d draft the same person. And since the 32-year-old the Knicks acquired will never come over to the US and apparently cannot be traded again, the Knicks received nothing in the deal. Which is fine as they didn’t need to.

I was told by one of your colleagues in the media that Aller was just joking around to entertain his peers.

Frankly, I don’t care, I just find the deal curious and pretty funny.

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Tommy Beer's avatar

He can be traded again. Draft rights can be traded multiple times

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Dbn123's avatar

Ohhhhh, I thought I read for some reason he could not be traded. Although the Knicks now have 15 overseas trade fillers lol.

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evan499 in HOH's avatar

Nice to hear more about Diawara. Hadn't seen much info on him.

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