I Love Trade Talk
I love trade talk, especially when it involves one of my favorite teams. While I can talk about trade scenarios, both far-fetched and plausible, all day long, I try to refrain from throwing out outlandish ideas on this website.
However, given Andrew Smith’s previous post and Chad Ford’s most recent ESPN.com article on possible trade candidates, I simply cannot resist.
In a recent post, I commented on Lamar Odom’s situation in Los Angeles and mentioned that I would love to see Donnie Walsh deal for the New York product. Odom has since said that he would like to re-sign with the Lakers and possibly finish his career in LA. But in Ford’s article, he mentioned Odom as a possible trade candidate this season. Ford also mentions Shawn Marion as a candidate.
While an Odom for Marion swap (which has been rumored well before the Ford article) would make some sense for both teams, as a Knicks fan, I would love to get in on that action. As the roster currently stands, the Knicks have a massive glut in their backcourt and practically no depth up front. After Lee and Zach, the Knicks backup bigs are Eddy Curry (who might be a tough fit here in New York), Wilson Chandler (who is really a small forward), and Malik Rose. The truth is that the Knicks need help at the forward/ center spots.
Here, I will propose a deal that I cooked up in my spare time. To avoid confusion, this deal has not been rumored anywhere, but rather it is simply one that makes sense to me and works in ESPN.com’s trade machine. I would love to see what everyone out there, including the brass for the Knicks, the Heat, and the Lakers, think about it.
Lakers Get: Shawn Marion, Daequan Cook
Heat Get: Stephon Marbury, Trevor Ariza, 2nd Round Pick via NY
Knicks Get: Lamar Odom
So there you have it. The Knicks would essentially deal Steph and a 2nd rounder for Lamar Odom. The Knicks need big men, and Lamar Odom is the type of versatile player that would absolutely flourish under D’Antoni. While Tommy Dee sees Odom as an ideal 3, I could also see him playing a majority of his minutes in the 4/5 rotation with Lee and Zach. Odom can score with his back to the hoop, shoot, rebound, dribble, pass, and block shots. Perfect fit with the Knicks.
The Heat would get a bona fide starting point guard in Marbury. Steph is in great shape. He claims that he is still a starter, and he would have that opportunity in Miami. Steph should have no problem beating out Chris Quinn, rookie Mario Chalmers, and the rehabilitating Livingston for that starting spot. A Marbury/ Wade backcourt could be dangerous. The Heat would also get a rising stud in Ariza to help fill the void left by Marion. Throw in the 2nd rounder, and that not a bad deal for Marion, who has been on the block ever since he arrived in Miami last February.
For the Lakers, Marion might simply put that team over the top. Marion is the best player in the deal and would, in my opinion, make the Lakers complete.
Again, this is simply a deal that I cooked up earlier. It makes sense to me for all the teams involved. As a Knicks fan, I would definitely sign on for this.
Also, Chad Ford mentions a possible deal between the Knicks and the Mavericks. Ford recommends that the Knicks trade Eddy Curry straight-up for Erik Dampier. My response: NO THANKS! If Curry doesn’t fit with this team, I can assure you that an aging Dampier will not either. I would much rather pursue other options for Curry. I would consider dealing Curry for Darko Milicic and a future pick. At least Milicic would be able to hold his own in D’Antoni’s system.
About Chris Alvino
Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →-
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