Walsh trying to land 2010 first rounder

by Tommy Dee on January 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am

It appears that aside from making decisions on Stephon Marbury, David Lee and Nate Robinson, Donnie Walsh is trying to add at 2010 first round pick, a source has told TKB.

Granted this isn’t earth shattering news and seems like an uphill battle, but if the Knicks are going to make any deals, Walsh apparently is requiring a first round pick in return to make up for the pick they are losing in next year’s draft thanks to the Stephon Marbury trade.

Like the Eddy Curry deal with the Bulls, it’s the gift that keeps on giving taking.

You’ve read Alvino’s take on the Earl Watson situation and this could be a fit as the Thunder has Phoenix’s 2010 unprotected pick as well as both Denver and San Antonio’s picks this year But, do the Thunder take back, say, Malik Rose‘s contract and a second round pick for Watson and the 2010 pick?

Doubtful, and adding Robinson to the deal would make little sense as Nate, like Lee, is a restricted free agent at season’s end.

So there’s every reason to believe that Walsh will be content to stand pat at the deadline if he can’t acquire a first rounder next year, but maybe he can entice the Thunder who have a bevy of young players and draft picks. They are most certainly going to be a player in the free agent market next year as they desperately need to add bonafide NBA talent to the likes of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook.

If the Thunder could add Rose’s salary space while dumping Watson they will be in a great cap situation with decisions on Chris Wilcox, Joe Smith, Desmond Mason and Robert Swift, all free agents at season’s end, still to come. Odds are that each will find homes elsewhere.

The Thunder could potentially add 5 draft picks this upcoming draft, including the Nets second rounder to replace those bodies and still be major players in free agency with the likes of Shawn Marion, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Marvin Williams to name a few that might fit team needs.

Again, is Rose’s contract enough to entice the Thunder is the main question, and I would say probably not. But Walsh does have trade exemptions and second round picks at his disposal. Or, of course, he can get a third team involved if he can find a willing participant.

Something to keep an eye on.
  • DanL

    Tommy, I know you think that adding Nate to a deal with the Thunder to extract a first rounder doesn’t make sense because they’d have to re-sign Nate in the off-season, but they might ask themselves if its worth it to trade for him AND re-sign him. It doesn’t seem like he’s going to command a very high salary at all. I doubt he signs anywhere for more than the mid-level and that might be generous.

    Of course, this begs the question, if he isn’t even worth the mid-level, is he worth a first round pick…

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Dan- I was just thinking the same thing and it’s a tremendous point by you.

    Why wouldn’t nate want to get paid and fit in with that young nucleus?

    Hmm, watson and a number one for Rose and Nate. I think it would have to be a little more coming from there end.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    and by “there” i mean “their.”

    Chris noted Damien Wilkens.

  • Mucha

    Getting picks from Oklahoma City would be great, but we should really try to get PHOENIX’ UNPROTECTED PICK in 2010 in particular because they are already struggling and they may end up being in the lottery.

    Now, getting one or two picks from OKC should only be a part of a Marbury or Malik Rose deal in my opinion.

    Moving Rose and 2010′s second round pick for Watson and the Suns’ 2010 unprotected pick could be a great deal.

  • DanL

    Good call Mucha. The Suns are doing alright for now but how long will that last? What will aging Shaq and Nash contribute in the 2009-2010 season? Will it be enough to carry the Suns into the playoffs that year? Good chance it wont and the Suns pick could very well be a lottery pick.

  • Mucha

    Another thing, Watson wouldn’t be a valuable addition even in a short-term perspective because we’ll probably draft a point guard this year. Anyways, I would make a Rose/Watson deal if we can get the SUNS’ UNPROTECTED PICK.

    Nate is a spectacular player, his numbers alone can’t give us the right indication of his value, we should at least ask for another first round draft pick for him. OKC needs to bring excitment, adding Robinson would be a great marketing operation.

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  • Chris Alvino

    If you are Walsh, you might be able to play a bit of hardball here. They have a surplus of picks, and the Knicks, unlike other teams, should be willing to take both Wilkins and Watson off the Thunder’s hands. I would presume that if the Thunder want to ditch Watson’s contract, they might also want to ditch Wilkins’ near 3 1/2 million for next season as well.

    If we can only get one #1 pick, then we should not give up any second rounders.

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