Thoughts on Memphis Rumors: A Good Sign

by Chris Alvino on May 30th, 2009 at 6:45 pm

With the news this morning that Donnie Walsh offered to buy the Grizzlies’ 27th pick, I feel as though Donnie completely understands that he has a tough task ahead. Walsh knows that he needs to infuse this roster with some quality young players. Although refuted, as the draft nears and teams begin to solidify their draft plans, picks might become available that are not necessarily available right now. Minnesota has 3 first rounders. Portland has a 1st and 4 2nd rounders. Neither team needs all of those picks, especially Minny who would then have to give guaranteed contracts to three rookies if they used all of their picks. While we discuss who the Knicks should draft at 8, we will soon be taking closer looks at players that Walsh can “buy” towards the end of the first round and into the second round. Speculation about whether or not DW will try to get another pick is turning into reality. That’s a good sign.

Also, the Darko for Richardson deal, which I recommended in my shot-blocking post on Tuesday, would be a great move for the Knicks. Clearly the Knicks need a player that has the ability to block shots. Even if Milicic came off the bench for 20 mpg, his defensive presence would help the Knicks. Also, it is a common belief that big men take a longer time to develop than guards. In Milicic’s case, with all of his hype and pressure, that might be the case. Playing for a players’ coach in D’Antoni, Milicic might find his comfort zone. Before last season even began, Milicic thought he was going to be dealt for Zach Randolph. I remember Milicic being excited about the prospect of playing for D’Antoni. After another rough season in Memphis, Darko probably now more than ever wants to head to NY.

From Memphis’ perspective, this deal would work. Richardson is a professional and can play anywhere. He has played for losing teams in NY and he can deal with any kind of media and pressure. Also, Q can earn himself some playing time in Memphis and earn himself a nice contract after next year. Q will be motivated this season. The Darko experiment has seemed to run its course in Memphis. Unless they have a better offer, which I doubt, then the Grizz would be smart to make the move.

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 →
  • paulempson

    I agree. We need shot blocking more than Q’s chucking. I wonder if this is a prelude to a more substantial deal depending on what Rubio’s camp tell memphis….

    Q,#8 and cash for Darko ,#2

    Probably a pipe dream

  • slambam

    I agree. If Donnie can trade for a later pick and use his talent evaluating skills to find a gem, that would be great. Also darko is much more of a need for us than what Q brings

  • Mucha

    I would love to see Milicic in a Knicks uniform. He’s still a young and talented player. I don’t know if Richardson is enough though (I don’t think so).

  • BiggieSmalls

    How about Darko, Marco Jarik and the 27 pick for Q Rich and Jared Jeffries?

    Both Marco and Darko are big time busts in Memphis that Larry Brown would LOVE to get rid of. Q Rich and Jeffries would be serviceable in Memphis. Especially JJ given how he’s shown some defensive ability.

    JJ and Marco are a match salary wize for 2010/11 and Marco would be a 6-7 shooting guard who can also play the 3 and the 1 without much miles that could strive in a run and gun.

    Not to mention Adriana Lima and the 27 pick which could turn into another athletic role player and a hot piece of tail to look at sitting court side.

  • Mucha

    I don’t know, Jeffries seems more “tradable” than Jaric, I mean at least there’s a little bit of hope. Maybe you’re right.

  • CircleLimit4

    I’d still be interested to see if we could weasel Rudy Gay from Memphis too.

  • BiggieSmalls

    thats what Im saying.. I think JJ has built up some value.

    from MEM’s perspective JJ gives them some length to replace Darko (who wasnt getting any minutes and their only true “big” is gasol).

    I like the idea of getting as many 6-7 to 6-10 guys that can play multiple positions. granted JJ can do that but maybe getting the 27 pick is some incentive from our side. maybe that’ll turn into austin daye or gani lawal another athletic young guy.. we need more of those types for Mike D.

  • BiggieSmalls

    Darko has been snake bit in Memphis (what else is new) and LB hates him.. we know he’ll get no burn in MEM this year as long as LB is the coach.

  • slambam

    Who is LB? Larry Brown? He coaches charlotte

  • BiggieSmalls

    ha ha .. memphis and charlotte arent the same place. my bad.

  • Bart

    Anybody see Chad Ford’s new Big Board Jrue Holiday’s droppin faster than the Dow Jones, Stephen Curry movin up!

  • Cheech

    I would love to trade Q for Darko. Besides the shot blocking, hes younger and a very good passing big man. Who knows maybe he could turn into Brad Miller???

  • KBT1615

    I think we are trying to buy a pick in the 20′s to get James Johnson.
    Hey we are working him out.

  • dbruno

    I would love to see DW buy back into the 1st and grab a PG there rather than w/ the 8th pick. He will probably be able to choose from Flynn, Maynor and maybe even Lawson which would be awesome paired with that 8th pick (Derozan?)

  • CircleLimit4

    That’s weird. Ford couldn’t stop raving about his performance in the combine.

  • CircleLimit4

    Jrue, that is.

  • CircleLimit4

    Part of me is hoping for that. The more I see and read about Earl Clark, especially his reviews from the combine, the more I want him to be our 8th pick.

    The other part still wants the best PG in the draft.

  • Bart

    You could almost say were solid 2-4 as far as having Wil, Gallo, Lee so what we really need is a PG or a Center but Clark is a interesting prospect hes like a passing version of AL Harrington thats more explosive but If we draft him what do you do with Lee??? Lee’s more of a proven commodity but a knock on him is absolutely Zero defense Clark is easily a better fit at PF than Lee with his passing and 3pt shot and hes just as good of a rebounded but we need a PG outta this draft.

  • bob knick slave

    i dont care how much larry brown is sick of those guys ,he still cant trade someone from a team he doesnt coach

  • CircleLimit4

    We are solid at the 2-4, but if we had a later pick I would be more inclined to draft for talent rather than position.

    If we drafted Clark it would eat up minutes from Harrinton, not Lee. Lee would probably continue to play out of his position at the 5.

  • CircleLimit4

    I should clarify. If we had a later pick on top of our 8th pick, I would be inclined to use the 8th pick to draft for talent.

  • paulempson

    I coudnt read past the LB coaching in Memphis like for X after being cotrrected. KNow what your talking about or please dont confuse the issue

    Memphis has been and will be a good trade partner. We know they like Lee . We know they dont need a PG. We know they have cap space . We know its a small market team.

    I am pretty confident that Curry will come back in better shape and get more PT. Its that or bust. He’s already in debt and he better move his fat ass so he can get another deal . How many coaches has he already gone thru?

    Jeffries might be the easier sell

    We still have 5 great expirings and we all know teams will be making pushes for a shot at the title now.

    Lebron is now on summer vacation and they will need to do something NOW for next year as , in the NBA , its all about match ups.

    You got have big men , D , shooters and stars. Period. Lebron had neither and they still had an amazing record. Go figure

    I like the Darko move…… Why not. Anything is better than Curry right now

  • CircleLimit4

    I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Lebron is on the phone with his agent right now.

  • bob knick slave

    i really hope that LEBRON JAMES KEEPS HIS self promo,chalk dust throwing,fake picture taking,side show crap in cleveland(where this type of cheap shit belongs)i want to build a team that doesnt have to do all of this side show crap,and beat cleveland ,with LEBRON in the plAYOFFS..THIS WOULD BE JUST LIKE THE 90′S VS JORDAN(EXCEPT THIS TIME WE WILL WIN)

  • bob knick slave

    P.S. anyone getting this exited about getting ‘DARKO” has been on the losing end …way tooo long…those guys in memphis treat getting rid of darko like we would if someone wanted JEFFRIES

  • paulempson

    You know , you are 100% right. I like the sound of that .

    Magic got lucky , got under the cap and made good moves and built this the right way

    Howard
    Rashard
    Turk
    and great depth . Dont forget they got to the finals w/out Jameer

    As for Darko hype , I dont think any one is getting excited about him coming here , just eiither Jeffries over Q going there. More losing going out the door than in

  • paulempson

    Dont forget Dako got a ring….LOL

  • paulempson

    Dako? Sorry….Darko has won more than both Jeffries and Q put together . Still……I see your point. Baby steps.

  • Chris Alvino

    Someone probably does want Jeffries. And as far as I am concerned, getting Darko would be a step in the right direction. Nothing to get overly excited about, but something worth mentioning.

  • CircleLimit4

    I know you’re making a point about how you don’t like hype, but we both know you wouldn’t hesitate to put Lebron in a Knicks uniform if you had the chance. Anyone who doesn’t want Lebron on their team is either A) a hater, B) a stubborn Lakers fan or C) batshit insane.

  • bob knick slave

    I AM FIRST A KNICKS FAN,old school when you grew your team from the draft and good trades,and you didnt BUY the best guy in the league to win a ring.i am neither A,B,or C. I JUST DONT FEEL that if the knicks bought lebron,it would be a real KNICKS championship.everyone would expect a ring,and probably get one .(KINDA LIKE THE YANKEES) i was 14 years old when the knicks won in 1969.it was a great thing watching that team come together.in these days of instant gratification,nobody cares to watch a team grow and come together,its just BUY LEBRON INSTANT CHAMPIONSHIP.sorry ,but it seems a little hollow,EMPTY.LEBRON IS JUST NOT A KNICKERBOCKER,PLUS ALL OF THAT PHONY SIDE -SHOW STUFF…..CHALK DUST THROW ETC.this guy was there to throw up the dust,where was he when his team lost last night.its OK to throw shit in the face of the losing team …..until he is part of the losing team….he should grow up real fast.he was quick to reap the benefits of winning,but does not know how to act when he loses.acting like he was the only person ever,to lose in six

  • Mucha

    LeBron James and the Cavaliers were clearly over-confident, the chalk dust does not annoy me but he’ll have to stop fooling around with these guys next year. They are not good enough to co-sign it, I think LeBron understands that.

    Anyways, the only player I’d (maybe) take over LeBron is Carmelo Anthony because he’d be the “bad guy” – and they have a REAL rivalry I mean Kobe and LeBron do not share a lot of similarities from a physical standpoint (size, strength), from a basketball standpoint (position) and from a “historical” standpoint (draft). LeBron and Melo do.

  • renenyg1

    How about a Darko for Jeffries deal,that way we can sign Lee and Nate and have a nice nuclues for Lebron.Lee 5yr 40 million and Nate for 5yr 35 million.With Gallo,Chandler,Lee,Nate and drafting S.Curry we’ll have an awesome shooting team add Lebron the mix and pickup a center along the way and we are set to go.We would still need a Camby style player or Camby would do,we can try to pry him away.We can pickup some trading chips with a Curry trade aswell.