Via Hoopsworld.

Memphis Has Demands: So here is the latest on the Knicks and Grizzlies trade talks. The Grizzlies have agreed to the frame work of a deal that would send Darko Milicic and Marko Jaric to the Knicks in exchange for Zach Randolph and a future first round draft pick. The Knicks are reported to have countered with Zach Randolph and cash going to Memphis. Memphis seems interested in the deal, but is pushing hard for a future first round draft pick. The Knicks have made it clear that the only way they’d send out a future first, is if they got a promising young player in return. The Grizz reportedly put Javaris Crittenton on the table; the Knicks seem luke warm on JCritt. It’s been suggested by sources close to the Knicks talks, that the Knicks would send a protected future first if it returned Hakim Warrick or Kyle Lowry. The Grizzlies seem less than interested in that combination. League sources contend this deal is squarely in the Knicks hands, and that neither side has put a timetable on this deal. Both teams would like to resolve their business before training camps open, meaning this thing could drag on for several more days.

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Saw the ESPN piece about Donnie Walsh not being pressured into making a deal and it gave me a chuckle.

No kidding.

In order to be “pressured” there has to be an entity doing the “pressuring.” Who on earth would that be?

Dolan? Not a chance. Walsh wouldn’t have come here if Jimmy was over his shoulder. The man has total and utter control of this team,  spending money to dump salary aside. But as negotiations go, it’s all Donnie, thank goodness.

The report (which, when a deal happens will no doubt read “as first reported by ESPN, whether the factors are the same or not) notes that Memphis has an offer into the Knicks and Walsh is sitting on it.

Really? No room for negotiations?

Interesting.

You know what I know, or at least what Hahn and I are hearing, there are other factors namely a first round pick. More importanlty there’s this. Memphis has what we want and we have what they want.

Make no mistake, they desperately need a front court presense. They can make a push with Randolph, without question he makes them better. He also makes them a factor since signing a 20 and 10 guy doesn’t appear likely anytime soon, so their cap situation is overrated. Do they wait until 2010? Why? So they’re young players can sign elsewhere? What kind of situation is that? They know Bron, Wade, Melo and Bosh ain’t coming, so they need to sell their fans on a competitive and exciting team.

It’s why they went after Mayo and it’s why they want to add frontcourt help.  Do they go hard after Marvin Williams or Shelden Willams after this year? Both restricted.  Do they want an aging Jason Kidd or Allen Iverson? How about Rasheed?

Free agents all, and none that will be wearing a Grizz jersey after this year and if they do they’d have to overpay. Not Randolph overpay, but still.

So what do they do? Tell their fans they are in rebuilding mode with no future in site? Or do they try and compete HARD next year with good mix of players?

I say the latter.

Conley, Mayo, Gay, Randolph and Gasol. Not bad, actually.

Conversely the Knicks need cap space so they can show David Lee they ain’t shopping him and that he’s a Knick, which is what he’s always wanted to be. They need a shot blocker as well.

In business, when there are such interests and commonalities you stay at the table until a deal gets done. Even if it means getting up from the table. Donnie’s merely taking a break.

Hardball is why Donnie’s here in the first place, and he knows this, but more importantly Chris Wallace knows this, he can’t get fleeced again after giving Pau Gasol to the Fakers, hence the stalemate.

Something’s gonna get done, so as fans follow the leader.

He’s got patience.