A slightly strange atmosphere in Minneapolis and New York, for the start of the school year for the Wolves and Knicks “media day” yesterday. Indeed, Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle as well as Donte DiVincenzo were not present and, technically, the coaches and trainers of the two teams were not allowed to talk about them…
Because the exchange, three days after being announced, is still not official.
What’s blocking? In fact, as both teams are above the “first apron”, they do not have the right to increase their payroll following this exchange. This is not a problem for the Wolves, who are saving money by letting go of Karl-Anthony Towns’ $49 million against Julius Randle’s $29 million plus Donte DiVincenzo’s $11 million, and even if Keita’s $3 million Bates-Diop are included.
An improbable round trip over the Atlantic
On the other hand, New York must maneuver. The solution is to sign players to artificially increase the base payroll, and include them in the trade. In this case towards a third team, the Hornets, who will then cut them, in exchange for a little cash and one or more Draft choices.
To finalize the exchange, the Knicks must therefore sign players for whom they have the rights, but who are no longer on their roster, DaQuan Jeffries but also Charlie Brown Jr. et Duane Washington Jr.
The delay is undoubtedly linked to the latter, as John Hollinger of The Athletic notes, because he signed during the summer at Partizan. To sign him (and therefore transfer him to the Hornets, who will cut him immediately…), the Knicks must therefore buy out his contract from the Serbian club, for $850,000.
As the Belgrade club will immediately recover the player, it is a financial gift that cannot be refused. Except that this requires authorization from FIBA, whose offices are closed on weekends.
