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2009 is here, and the highlight of the 2008-2009 season for Knicks fans so far is November 21st , the day in which Donnie Walsh put the Knicks in the position to sign not one, but two major free agents in 2010. Seemingly out of nowhere, Jamal Crawford was first traded to the Warriors for Al Harrington. Then, Zach Randolph was traded for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley to the Clippers. Now, with Tim Thomas and Al Harrington both having played 17 games in a Knicks uniform and with Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford settled in with their respective teams, we can accurately assess who got the upper hand in each trade.
Al Harrington for Jamal Crawford – The Knicks won, plain and simple. The Warriors added another tweener guard, and the Knicks got a prototypical D’antoni big man. Crawford’s departure has allowed Nate Robinson to step up, but it’s also left a gaping hole at the shooting guard position. Yet, Harrington’s a flat out better player than Crawford, and Harrington does more for the Knicks than Crawford ever has. In practically the exact same amount of minutes, Crawfords averaging a point less with the Warriors and shooting a less than spectacular 40% from the field. He’s dishing out five dimes a game playing point guard for Golden State, and he still can’t even spell defense. Al Harrington, on the other hand, is on pace for a career year. He’s already won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award, and is putting up 22 and 7 a night, shooting free throws better than he ever has, and he’s playing with a renewed sense of passion, letting us Knick fans know that he wants to be here past 2010. He’s showed stints of persistent defense, and really gave Steve Nash fits. A slump was inevitable, after he played out of his mind for a while, but if he takes his own advice, and starts off inside, he’ll be fine.
Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley for Zach Randolph- I was always a fan of Zach Randolph, but not of his contract, and although the Knicks gave up their top scorer and really only got Tim “You can’t see me” Thomas in return, I still think New York won the trade. Sure, Deandre Jordan, Marcus Camby, or maybe a pick would have been nice, but the Knicks found their takers, and Z-bo is no star. Dunleavy is the new Isiah Thomas and not only did he sign Baron Davis, a player that only strives in a fast break system, for $65 million and put him in a half-court offense, but he traded for Zach Randolph, as if he was the missing piece to the puzzle, and he would catapult them into contention in the Western Conference. Trading Zach Randolph allowed the Knicks to shave about $27 million in salary cap in the summer of 2010. Count me in. Plus, the Clippers are 6-12 with Randolph. So in essence, it’s Zach Randolph for Tim Thomas, Cuttino Mobley, and two major FA in 2010, and I’ll take the latter. The Clippers absolutely got the better player, but the Knicks took a huge stride towards a very plausible goal, and will now have the money to not only actively pursue Lebron James, but to pair him with another star.
From day one, Donnie Walsh was clear that signing a major FA in 2010 was the ultimate goal, and he’s carried that out meticulously. Simply put, Donnie Walsh is a miracle worker.
Great post.
Right on with the Crawford deal.
With the Randolph deal, if not for his contract running into 2010, he would still be a Knick. That was strictly a financial decision in my opinion. With that deal and judging it on the ST, you can also look at how Randolph’s loss has affected the Knicks and not necessarily how his arrival has affected the Clips. But overall, you nailed that deal too.
Nice work.
Hopefully we can get some one with the exception that we get for mobley. If we get an exception.
Good read. These next two years are an audition for the 2010 team, and so far Harrington, Duhon and Robinson are shining.