My Take

by Tommy Dee on June 23rd, 2009 at 6:50 pm

I know it’s hard to trade Wilson Chandler. Real hard. In fact, it wouldn’t shock me if Knick management were torn right down the middle. TKB reached out to Wilson, who appeared on our radio show the other day, but his phone was turned off.

I’ve loved Will since day one and see him as a physically gifted player who plays on both ends. He can shoot and slash and is unselfish as well. All the things that can make him a perennial 15 ppg scorer along with solid rebounding,  assist and steal numbers. He’s a 25-30 minute player on a highly- competitive team.

That said, Chandler’s wavering confidence has been an issue, as has his shot selection, and his handle will never allow him to be a 2 guard in this system. As we know forcing a player out of position can rack the brain. Just ask Danny Murphy.

At the 3 he’s is a beast, and he can guard 4s so that’s where you see him sometimes. That’s an asset.  But with Al Harrington on the roster and Danilo Gallinari primed to show all those NY haters just what he has, where does that leave Chandler? Sure, Harrington is a free agent, but we know who the Knicks are saving a roster spot for. Again, Wilson is a piece to a real good team so you hold onto him because of that reason.

Wilson is a restricted free agent in 2011, and I’ve said he could be a piece to add to any possible Eddy Curry deal.

But to give up Larry Hughes and Chandler and get back two good contracts and “audition players” who can compete in Brendan Haywood and Mike James, without giving up the 8th pick well, that’s a real hard deal to pass up on.

The Knicks will have the pick of the litter between the guys whom they love and may just get 2 out of 3 of them. You’re looking at a scenario (pick two) of Stephen Curry, Ricky Rubio, Tyreke Evans, Jordan Hill, Jonny Flynn, Jrue Holiday and a host of others if things shake out right.

That, along with James and Haywood, is a better talent situation than Chandler and Hughes. It just is. Plus, if Hill is one of the picks, then it makes David Lee easier to deal for other talent (Ben Gordon?)

But there still isn’t any clarity, which is why once Walsh sees what happens in picks 2-4 he’ll have the sense of who’s there and if Will is worth giving up on. We won’t know that until Thursday.

Speaking of Walsh, I loved his press conference yesterday and the more it’s been digested the more I enjoy the man in action. Obviously, he wants the perception to be that Rubio is on the same level as some of the prospects because he wants those around the league to believe that he’s not that interested. Why would he push on Rubio now when teams ahead of him are still fielding phone calls. He’ll get aggressive, again, if Rubio is in range on Draft Night.

So in the end, if you can get a guy in James, who I love as a rugged, veteran backcourt option, and add Haywood who needs to prove he’s healthy but can at the very least protect the hoop and score along the box, along with another young piece, it may be just too tough to pass on.

But, you’d have to figure if Walsh doesn’t like how the early part shakes out, he’ll stay patient for yet another day.
  • italian stallion
  • Bart

    Wouldn’t be better to deal Chandler (and other pieces) for Bosh or Amare since he is in play now.

  • KBT1615

    Dang, ahh well and from the looks of the trade they dont want Hughes now JJ maybe but not Hughes.
    Wonder if we still have a chance to get Haywood?

  • Adam L

    I hear you Tommy. Its been eating me up too. I really like Wilson and think he will be a solid, maybe even special player in this leage. but that deal is just too much to pass up.

    However, according to the above comment and the post on Yahoo, its a dead topic. Wow! The 4th and 5th pick in the draft for T-Wolves. More moves surely to come

  • Bart

    I guess Donnie took too long or the deal was just unfounded and a rumor I wonder if Wil is still in play as far as other deals but it looks like he stays a knicks right now.

    T Wolves have so many picks now I guess they take Hill and Curry, yeah we pretty much have no chance anymore. Lets get Evans and buy Maynor from whoever drafts him.

  • bob go knicks

    DONNIE the GENIUS wasnt to be disturbed from his nap.they tried to get him up but he screamed “”WHO IS THIS WHO DARES TO WAKE ME FROM MY SLUMBER”? trembling,.coach d’ntoni said nothin ..go back to sleep boss