Swift a Possibility?

by Tommy Dee on July 1st, 2008 at 9:40 am

It looks as if the Nets will let Stromile Swift, who they obtained in a trade last year, walk should he decline his player option in 2008, opening the door for the Knicks to offer their MLE, which would be slightly higher than last year’s or in the neighborhood of 2 years, $11 million. Swift would have to opt out of his current deal, which pays him $6.2 million. He is due to hit the open market after the 2008/09 season.

And why wouldn’t he leave the Nets, who just added two rookie frontcourt players in Lopez and Anderson, as well as adding Yi, who is a 3/4. Also, thanks to the breakout year of Sean Williams, and Josh Boone getting steady minutes, Swift would be wise to secure minutes and a 2-year deal from the Knicks. He could find himself on the bench with no leverage in NJ.

Granted, Swift has had attitude issues, having been suspended then traded for arguing with head coach Mark Iavaroni. We also get that he’s another PF, not a center, but he’d be an ideal fit in D’Antoni’s system offensively, and is and active defender when he wants to be. I think playing in D’Antoni’s system will give him positive vibes for 25-30 minutes a night.

For us, ideally, trading David Lee for a pure point guard like Raymond Felton and adding a shot blocker-type in Swift would be a great start for the Walsh Era. That would mean our starting group would consist of:

Felton
Crawford
Chandler
Randolph
Swift

…with Gallinari, Marbury, Robinson, Curry and Jared Jeffries as reserves. Rumors persist that Renaldo Balkman is available to be traded- possibly for a draft pick.

Beno Udrich is a name that is floating, but I’d be hesitant to use the full MLE on a point guard (maybe Duhon), when you can use Lee. That said, Lee can also be used in a possible deal to move Zach Randolph.

Either way, Walsh still needs a point guard and a shot blocking presence, as well as finding a way to move salary.

Patience is needed by fans here, as Donnie is hard at work trying to fill needs.

By the way we noticed D’Antoni shoot down rumors that Lee isn’t his type of player because “10-10 guys” can play for any coach.

We agree.
  • vino

    Tommy- I like Swift too.

    But any GM that gives this guy 5.5 million to play has to get their head checked. This guy has never produced like people think he should. He has never been a consistent starter. He is always a throw-in in trades (usually between Memphis and Houston). He is not worth blowing the entire MLE on. If we can split it between him and another player, that would be a different story, but not the entire thing. He has bust written all over him to me if we try and use the full MLE on him. If that is what the market for Stro ends up being, I hope that Walsh stays away.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Nah, 5.5 for a potentially very active 4 isn’t overpaying and he hasn’t been a throw in. He was traded from Memphis because of a run in with Iavaroni and he was dealt for Rudy Gay (with battier). Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want players with bad attitudes, but maybe playing in D’Antoni’s system and playing 25-30 minutes with f Curry and/or Randolph will give his career a jumpstart.

    As an executive you get paid to take such gambles, if his attitude screams “stay away” then you do.

  • vino

    It’s kind of weird. I am looking at the Clippers roster and wondering what they can do to rise up in the West. If they sign Baron and Brand, along with Kaman, Thornton and Gordon, they might be one player away. Assuming they keep Brevin Knight as a backup or even Livingston as a backup, if they were to bring in a Gerald Wallace, Jamal Crawford, or even VINCE CARTER, they could be a real player out West.

    Baron, Brand, Carter and Kaman would give them 4 potential all-stars.

    Anyway, to the point: Would anyone like the Knicks to entertain the idea of bringing in NICK FAZEKAS on a minimum-level deal? He’s listed at 6’11and 235, but looks heavier than that. He looks more like 240/ 245. He didn’t play much last year because he was drafted by the Mavs. However, he was a good shooter and rebounder in college. I think that he would be able to be a good shooting big man for Coach Mike. On a minimum level deal, why not?

  • vino

    Maybe, and this is a big maybe, you do it in order to mask Randolph and Curry on defense and thus get the media off of them a bit. That might create a more positive look around the league towards them. But that is a maybe. And I do not see how you can not start Curry if he is here. If both he and Randolph are here, I think they both start.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    I think you have to understand there is NO CHANCE this team can get two needs with 1 MLE.

    that’s unrealistic.

    Swift or Fazekas? I take Swift in D’antoni’s system.

  • theghostofwillisreed

    yeah vino, i dunno about getting two guys under the mle. it would be sweet if you could but that’s almost akin to lightning striking twice.

  • vino

    I am not saying that it would be an either/or with Nick Fazekas.

    We would either sign the guy for nothing or another team would sign him for nothing. What is the league minimum? That’s what Fazekas would get from us. Nick Fazekas or Jerome James? Who would play more minutes next year. Buy him out and then we would have a spot to fill on the roster. Nick Fazekas or Randolph Morris? We need to fill our roster somehow. Why not bring in a collegiate stud who might just need a chance. It is an absolutely no-risk scenario.

    I also think you like Swift a bit too much. I like him too, but do you really see him helping us win games? I’d rather sign a pg to a MLE and then trade Nate for a shot-blocker.

    It is not like Stro Swift is the premier shot-blocker in the league. There are other guys who can be had that might be a better idea for this club going forward. Stro would simply be a stop-gap player, who wouldplay out two years here and never be heard from again on the Knicks. I’d rather sign a Beno Udrih or a Chris Duhon and then trade Nate to get a guy from another team that can block shots. Maybe Sean Williams of the Nets? Andray Blatche of the Wizards? Hakeem Warrick? Nick Collison? Hilton Armstrong?

    Hell I’d rather sign Adonyl Foyle to a small deal to back up at center and play defense than sign Swift to a full MLE.

    Maybe I overexagerrated with Foyle, but still. I’d rather not settle on Swift as I do not think that he has much of a future with the Knicks (for that price at least). I’d rather build a team for the long haul.

  • vino

    If the Knicks were to make this move, it wouldn’t be as awful as I make it sound. I like Swift, but I think there are better uses of our money and our other assets than to bring in Swift.

    Why has he not been able to stick on any team after being a number 2 overall pick? Talent? Cahracter? Desire? Hustle? What is it?

  • richierich

    hahah yeah thats exactly what we need stromile swift…whata joke that post was..i would rather use are MLE on a guy like Monta Ellis. maybe couple other guys..all i know is i dont want stromile swift!..speaking about the clippers..Shaun Livingston catches my eye..he has a qualifying offer right now..just coming off an injury..he had alot of potential..still young..wouldnt mind him at the point this year..the only way the knicks are going to make these next couple yrs entertaining is by taking RISKS and hitting on those RISKS..

  • krumbledkookie

    Reading all of this and looking around this team and the rest of the league at all of the various options, and than comparing them to the checklist of what this team needs to start to be competitive again, I truly appreciate what Donnie and Coach Mike have to do. They essentially are doing the job of a one-legged man in an a$$-kicking contest. I hate to use the cliche, but it works.

    I do not envy their situation, but will look on with amazement if they are able to accomplish half of what they’re trying to do.

  • vino

    I like Livingston. I do not think that he has a qualifying offer outstading either. I am not sure if he is ready to play next year. Is he? I would love for the Knicks to take on a guy like Livingston. Richie, you are right. The Knicks need to take a few short-term risks in order to help them in the future. That is why I would like to see guys like Livingston, Shelden WIlliams, Chris Duhon, Gerald Green, among others be brought in here to compete. Create a competitve atmosphere with young kids, with a likeable down-to-earth players coach in D’Antoni, and you might have the start of something here in New York.

    Overrated bums, like Stro Swift, have not worked here in New York. The Knicks players know that they have nothing to lose. I think it is about time that the Knicks bring in a couple of guys who have plenty to lose. Let’s find out who is hungry enough to stick.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Richie rich- how can you joke the post then say sign Ellis to the MLE?

    He’s going to demand far more than 5.5, that’s an easy one, he’s an up and coming star, hence why Baron opted out.

    Thanks for the posts as always,

    TD

  • http://www.metsblog.com/2008/07/01/links-around-the-sny-blog-network/ MetsBlog.com » Links: Around the SNY Blog Network

    [...] Dee, at theKnicksBlog.com, wonders if Stromile Swift would fit in with the [...]

  • vino

    Yeah Tommy, you are right. There is no way Ellis goes for the MLE, and if he does accept it, the Mullin would match it with the largest smile that he would ever have.

    If I were to guess, I would say a 5 year, 45 million dollar deal would be the starting point for him, and that might even get it done. If he was in the league longer, he might even be able ot get more, but I would guess he’s going to get 9 mill (maybe 8).

    The only way we get him is if we trade Lee for him.

  • richierich

    yeah its a long shot..i wrote that not knowing baron opted out this morning..than i see the warriors giving him around 8…my point was based around baron staying with the warriors.The knicks would have to obvis. give him more years for him to even consider it..my MAIN point was to say that id rather take sprewell out of his mansion than swift..i would really love to sign artest..hes just personally one of my fav players..he could knock out players in the lockeroom that dont giva fuck..i mean he did say he doesnt play for the money right?ahah..walsh wouldnt do it anyway

  • Loveofthegame05

    @tommy dee

    I’ve watched Stro Swift play a little bit for the Nets and I have to say for the knicks I respectfully disagree on offering him the MLE.

    My philosophy is that when you have possible headaches in Marbury+Randolph then you don’t need to aquire any more of them. I know Swift has talent but I can understand why this guy can’t stay on one team….I watched him last year argue with a referee for 10 seconds why a loose ball was being pursued right behind him.

    Obviously the talent and athleticism is there with Stro Swift but you gotta make sure his head is in the right place…Little bit like Glenn Robinson