The Future Is Now

Yes nice summary. I wouldn’t say it would have been absurd for him to not do this though, but it would have been close after trading Randolph and Crawford just to get space for 2010. Why not go all in now? That being said, obviously if he had gotten the Hill pick right the situation would be a lot better and easier to deal with. But the guy has till 2010 thats the truth.

Nice post Ben but I disagree with;

“if he fails to deliver this summer, he won’t be around to see the 2012 June draft.”

James Dolan has shown more times than Knicks fans can count that he will ignore failure.

Isaiah should’ve been gone long before he was eventually let go and if it wasn’t for Ms. Sanders & Starbury we still might be listening to Isaiah giggle his way through every interview.

This move gives us the best opportunity for James. Lebron could pick from Stoudemire, Bosh, Johnson, and possibly Wade. However If we don’t get Lebron, the dominoes could potentially be fatal.

Was watching ESPN, and although Chris Broussard is an idiot, his predictions aren’t far fetched:
Wade and Stoudemire in Miami
Lebron in Cleveland
Bosh in Chicago
Then there is Joe Johnson who would be the next option and he very well could stay in Atlanta.

If we don’t get Lebron, would Bosh and Johnson want to team up? I don’t know.

July 2010 could potentially be the best month in the last 30 plus years or the worst.

If we strike out it will be a disaster

Agreed.

It would be.

Anyone know where we could find a updated/current list of who will be available 7-1-10, as of today?

This was a disaster of a day…….

This guy gambled and the odds are against him. You just don’t gamble like he did. It’s fools gold…..

This will take years to undo the same mess we had before.

Nothing has changed and nothing will, we are now the Clippers of the east…LMAO.

You don’t give up #1 picks which will be lottery picks because we will still stink after next season. No big time free agents are coming here and McGrady is a no defense playing ball hog type player with gimpy knees. You’ll see he won’t be able to play so he won’t be here next year either.

Trading Hill proved Donnie boy screwed up this draft. Until Gallo becomes a consistent player to me he’s a bust so Walsh screwed up 2 drafts IMO. We could have had Lopez and Jennings…….good drafting donnie boy.

Both the Nate and Milicic trades were nothing. We got nothing from it, zero, why bother?

We mortgaged the future again for cap space and maybe some free agents will come here. To what, there’s no team!!!!!!!!! We have no players.

This guy is an idiot.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-10-11

current as of 2-3 days ago…

Thanks barnaby.

Much appreciated.

It’s very simple.

You are not winning an NBA Championship without a superstar. This gives us our best chance at a star. The Pistons of 2004? are the rare case.

I love how everyone say “we could have had lopez or jennings…what an idiot”…did you personally know that lopez would be that good? Nope. Did you personally know that Jennings would be that good? Nope. Nobody did. Fact is that when milwaukee took jennings everyone was shocked included jennings thinking that he would fall partly b/c of his immaturity but also because everyone thought there were better prospects and his numbers in italy were sub par. With lopez, nobody knew he would do what he’s doing PLUS he doesn’t fit our system anyways. Jordan Hill wasn’t a mistake; he’s a project who won’t live up to the hype of the 8th pick but will be a solid player. At the time he was picked, he was the best player available by most accounts. Gallo has tremendous upside also, so stop making these ridiculous comments. Oh and the milicic trade saved us close to two million dollars so we traded dead weight for dead weight and made money off of it. That two million dollars could be an extra veteran on the team next year.

BIG DADDY – let me ask u a question …
WORST CASE scenario if they get Joe johnson … dirk .. and have gallo chandler etc.. can they 40 games? answer is yes .. this team will be in the playoffs at worst and not have a lottery pick for a while

I going to say it one more time.

If the Knicks go out and spend this money on Lee’s contract I’ll be pissed.

No Amar’e either.

Offer Camby a deal and i can live with S Rod at PG.

I read somewhere that when he got significant minutes his PER was very good.. 17ish?

Please Play Eddy.,. every game here on in.

Nice piece Ben.. agree with the sentiment about the count down timer on Donnie’s head.

I respect Donnie for making the move all in ..

Now the coach needs to make some changes..

I wonder how these trades will affect us going down this year. We now have a pg well suited to run a fast break offense(in my opinion) and Mcgrady is a very good passer also. With House in there, we have 2 shooters to really spread the floor with, and without having to play Suckhon as much we may be able to convert back to a running team. If nothing else(it probably won’t result in a lot of wins and we definitely aren’t making the playoffs) it will make this season much more fun to watch. The question is still going to come down to who we get in fa this year as to whether it was an awful Isiahesque trade or a brilliant gamble. We will see.

“dirk”?

Has he declined his option?

He’d be the perfect offensive big in 7SOL.

i agree to a moderate extent. galinari isnt a bust, so its unfair to say he failed 2 straight drafts. also, jordan hill is probably gonna be the next chris bosh, so i dont think he failed in either draft. thing is, he carelessly traded hill away and didnt bring up galinari in a setting where he could succeed.

the thing that strikes me about donnie is that he has impeccable planning skills, he just cant negotiate. which mean’s he’s perfect for being a president but not a gm. the problem is that he is both. therefore the plan he has is still in tact, but it isnt executed like it should be, and therefore the knicks organization is taking a hit for it. you look at the houston deal today and you can clearly see their gm completely manhandled donnie. why? because donnie can not negotiate, and also because donnie was desperate.

there is a saying i heard in the movie public enemies:

“never do work with someone when you are desperate”

you may not have liked the movie, and the quote may not have been directed towards basketball scenarios, but it holds up. i’m sure other team’s could have used jeffries, and if not at this deadline then the draft.

if lbj and wade come then i am all for it, but chances are neither of them come. miami will probably trade for amare come draft day, and jamison will probably help lebron get over that hump. we’re joking ourselves if we realistically think either of them are coming. both are pipe dreams, and donnie risked it all just in case. terrible risk in my opinion, knicks fans may be in for another decade of this sh*t.

Jordan Hill will be a very poor man’s chris bosh. He will never be chris bosh.

LOL @ the thought of dirk leaving dallas…

why should dirk leave? he loves dallas and they recently acquired shawn marion. that team has the most all stars on it ive seen, think is they dont have a good center.

kidd
caron
marion
dirk
center

you tell me dirk will want to leave that for

sergio
chandler
galinari
and eddy curry?

i meant caron butler, but shawn marion was recent too i believe he was traded for before the start of the season.

I’m not saying he would, just didn’t reply properly to jgilch82 above.

He proposed it and I would love it but Mark Cuban won’t let Dirk get on the plane.

He’ll buy every plane in Dallas and ground them all.

He’s the NBA’s George Steinbrenner but he has to deal with a salary cap.

As Knicks fans, we’ve patiently waited for this trade deadline and for the summer of 2010. When Walsh was hired and the “2010″ plan was set we were all excited. But all of our confidence has declined. The positives are we potentially have a wing man in Tracy McGrady, who might take a paycut for next year. Lebron has been our #1 goal and were gonna have to throw whatever we can at him or this organization is gonna be set back even further than ever. Too much risk is put into this summer and if we can’t even sign Joe Johnson than the next 5-8 years of this organization could be the worst years of this organization

jordan hill averaged 3 more points and 2 more rebounds in college. maybe that means nothing so i looked at their rookie years. bosh started, hill didnt so i had to multiply hills stats to where he would be averaging 30 minutes a game (bosh avg’d 33:30 a game in his rookie season)

rookie seasons

bosh: ppg — 11.5
rpg — 7.5
minutes — 33:30

hill: ppg — 4
rpg — 2.5
minutes — 10:30

multiply hills stats by 3, where he would technically be playing 31:30 minutes a game

ppg — 12
rpg — 7.5

similar to bosh’s. i dont see how you can tell me he will be a poor man’s bosh. he also has a lot better build to be a big man, more muscular, bigger hands.

Flat out, if we don’t get LBJ, bosh isn’t coming. Bosh doesn’t need to play on a team that’s not much better than the current raptors b/c he knows he can’t play there. Personally, I think if lbj stays in cleveland, we’ll get joe johnson and someone like boozer, pick up sergio’s option and be stuck with veterans to fill out the team…
This is what I think the team will look like if we don’t get LBJ

pg-sergio
sg-joe johnson
sf-gallo
pf-chandler
c- Boozer
bench
alston
camby
TD
curry
bill walker
kurt thomas
d-leaguer

Not a terrible team, but nothing to be afraid of either unless gallo and chandler both break out, out of nowhere…

From Hollinger
“Meanwhile, consider the other scenario. If those A-list free agents stay with their original teams, the Knicks are pretty much hosed — they’d be left to re-sign Lee, overpay some other second-tier free agent and go 32-50 for the next half-decade. This is a high-risk strategy forced upon them by the misery of the Isiah Thomas era, and it remains unclear how well it will pan out.”

He did not like the trade btw.

well maybe the knicks will be able to trade curry for troy murphy.

then sign 2 max fa’s, and have around 2.5-4 mill left over. mcgrady may get more money elsewhere but he has also never won a championship, and if it means him taking a pay cut to be a part of a team with murphy and 2 stars, potentially lbj wade amare bosh or dirk, then i would think at the very least he would consider taking a big pay cut for 1 or 2 seasons to win a ring.

Tthe heat made a play for Boozer today, they will try again. They have Wade, who do we have to lure them in?
It’s Lebron or bust.

I think Sergio can be a big help to Gallo.

At least every time I see Sergio, I smile because it makes me think of Bronson Pinchot (Serge) in Beverly Hills Cop – “Donny, run and tell Miss Summers that, uh, Mister Achmed Foley is here to see her…Achnell…? Achwell…”

You’re missing the point. Bosh showed flashes; Jordan Hill rarely did. Bosh went number 4 in the best draft class in the history of the nba and one that projected as a very strong one at the time; Hill went 8th in what was projected as an extremely weak draft class. Bosh’s numbers were as a freshman; jordan hill’s were as a junior. Want to compare freshman stats? Or sophomore stats? Both were beyond mediocre. He improved b/c he was getting the ball more often b/c bayless wasn’t there anymore. It’s like David Lee. He’s a star on the knicks only b/c they have no one else at the moment to be a star.

They went for boozer as a last resort to keep dwade from going to chi-town. If d-wade stays with miami, they’ll get amare, so good call on that one.

Why would the pacers take on EC for murphy when murphy has an expiring as well?

thank you Art Tellem

LOL, ditto.

Have another sip of the kool aid..LOL. Nothing personal but if he were a GM in the NFL he would have be crucified.

The potential negative consequences of this trade are obviously scary. It’s, hard to believe, however, that Walsh would make a deal like this without having received assurances that he is likely landing some major pieces over the summer. Walsh has been around for many years, and has seemingly developed a solid relationship with many of these high profile NBA agents. The McGrady trade was really only made possible through the efforts of Arn Tellem, who supposedly goes way back with Walsh. It is relationships such as this which at least give us hope for the summer.

i still say that the idea of wade, stoudemire, lebron, bosh, and johnson all giving the cold shoulder to the largest market in the world, with an arena that sells out all the time with rabid fans, a very well respected coach and top money is more far fetched.

Hollinger also ranked Dwayne Wade’s NBA FInals performance as the best of all time. Better than all Jordan’s. I think what he says needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Dude is all statistics, nothing else

Very nice article Ben. i will be honest, DW really did show what he is worth today. We thought this day would never happen and he made it happen. fantastic job on playing the market and seeing it through. Can’t commend him enough.

When DW pulls off this fantastic turnaround in 2 years……am I the only one that feels this is becoming…..dare I say….Destiny?

Get Bosh, LeBron and resurrect the largest basketball market to heights the NBA or the world has seen.

It’s our destiny. Let’s Go Knicks!

I was against the trade at first, but I’ve sort of come around, and now I think I’m starting to see how Donnie is viewing things. I’ve been a Knicks fan for a long time, and like any fan, I like the idea of building up a team from scratch, scouting the best players in the draft, making smart draft day decisions, and then developing the young guys in-house. Then, the team feels more like your own, you know?

But the whole point is that this is New York, and New York has certain unique assets that no other market can compete with. If we take this “let’s try to build a team up from scratch and develop our talent in house” attitude, then we simply negate all those advantages. Any team, provided their management is astute enough, can scout for young talent, and draft well. But this is New York, and it’s a pretty safe bet that (*all else being equal*) free agents would prefer to come play here over some other smaller market.. I think Donnie’s just taking advantage of this fact.. If we try to build the team up through the responsible drafting of young talent, etc.. then we essentially put ourselves on the same playing field with a Memphis or an OKC, and then if we want to be successful, we just have to trust that our management is smarter than everyone else’s, and to be honest, I think Donnie knows that they aren’t.

So he’s adopting the strategy that any “big market” GM would adopt… screw the draft, the draft is the great equalizer, and if you’re naturally bigger than everyone else, why agree to level out the playing field.” Anyway, I know from a pure fan’s point of view, it sucks to see us (potentially) lose out on so much future young talent, but I gotta’ say, I think Donnie did us right today.

the nets an a few other teams got money to burn don’t think the knicks are alone in this free agent game

DOUBLE LOL at you being satisfied with 40 wins. This is OUR SUMMER. The summer we’ve been waiting for while we tolerated GARBAGE for the last 2 years.

“TWO MAX FREE AGENTS” those are the words that have been brainwashed into our heads. almost like “WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.”

Let me just say, we better wind up with TWO weapons of mass destruction come July. Not Joe Johnson and 40 wins. No thank you.

“Still, LeBron isn’t the only big-name player who could be up for grabs. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd can all become free agents in 2010, potentially turning this summer’s offseason into a free-agent bonanza.”

Two of these players will be teaming up with Gallo and Chandler. Get excited. That is a pretty solid fallback plan even if Walsh misses out on LeBron.

I personally wouldn’t be opposed to getting LeBron and two less-than-max contracts (Tyson Chandler & ?).

Gotta get Bosh. No Bosh, no LeBron. No big man force, no hope. Get Bosh and LeBron might folllow.

The future is not now. The Knix are still no where now. There’s no future till they get 2 stars and a pt guard with speed and his head not stuck up his ass.

Everybody wants money. NYC’s got the market to make you global (plus there’s the whole Nike deal for LBJ that may play a small role). But extensions are the best way to get the most money contract wise. That should be attractive as well, no? Especially for a guy like LBJ who’s got his whole life in Ohio.
Yeah in NY the market possibilities can be the equivalent of an extension, or maybe even more. It’ll boil down to decisions.
What I think:
I really don’t see Johnson staying in Atlanta. They guy’s a wanderer, so he’ll end up where the success is, which goes to Bosh as well (except for the wanderer thing). Wade loves South Beach, so he’ll stay and wait up for Johnson or Bosh to join him. Don’t care for Amare.
LBJ is the X factor. He’s the only one who can change this hypothetical scenario. Wherever he goes, the rest will follow. Let it be NY, NJ, him alone to Miami (unlikely), Chi town.
Maybe I’m just dead wrong.
What I’d really like to know is how DW wants to play this in case the top players don’t come. I’d like to see THAT drawing board.
Gay and Boozer? Felton, Lee and Camby? Do Ray Ray and Manu fit in anywhere? Just throwing combinations for alternatives should the worst happen. It’s not like DW won’t have money to spend.

Shoutout to a caller Sean on TKB Radio…..Hit some very good points and really brought a good perspective…Solid Comments my man

Yep and they should move to Newark next year where they can get more than 3k people int he stands.

It’s waaay to early to be doing a victory lap when we haven’t convinced anyone of real value to come here yet.

But at least now, Donnie can finally put away that excuse that the cap is the reason why we can get players. He’ll have to come up with new ones now.

Checkmate on clearing cap space for our GM but the real test just begun!

its all about lebron at this point, and i am sure lebron is very carefully watching what walsh is doing to clear space out for him. its a little flattering, and i am sure LBJ feels flattered. lets see if he takes the bait and explores his options. not getting LBJ at this point will be a big disaster. the only thing that could fix it is if the knicks get bosh this year and then next year try to get carmelo. that would be a good team.

that’s real talk

Feb 18, 2010 7:25 PM EST
LeBron James was asked about the teams dumping salary for the 2010 free agency class on Thursday.

“I don’t think too much or get too involved in teams trying to clear cap space,” said James.

James was also asked about general manager Danny Ferry.

“He’s done a good job in bringing in players and trying to build something,” said James. “We all know how important it is to win here.”

If we don’t get Lebron, then we are going to need a PG along with the other FAs we sign.

You gotta respect that amount of balls. His plan was to get cap space. I just didn’t imagine that getting 31 mil to work with would include losing our 2011 and 2012 1st rounders plus our 8th lottery prospect (ignoring the whole Hill’s future discussion). Still, it is a great opportunity….
Let’s just hope everybody else doesn’t think he’s going all in with a pair of 2′s. Which we basically are: Gallo and Chandler.
Respectable pair of two’s I say, but let’s see how it’s measured with the full house (literally) Chitown has to offer and NJ with their 3 of a kind (Harris, Williams, Lopez).
It’ll all boil down to the the palpable chances DW will have to convince 2 max guys to play here and surround them with whatever it’s possible to surround them with besides Will and Gallo.
Hell breaks lose if Donnie’s hand gets shot to hell.

what does this comment mean. does this mean walsh might retire/get fired if he completely strikes out this summer. “I don’t know who is going to be our there. I know what the free agent list is,” Walsh said…and as soon as we get to it, we’ll be prepared,” … “and if you don’t get ‘em this year…then maybe I won’t be here but it’ll be better for the guy coming in next.” –Donnie Walsh http://bit.ly/9HMpAZ

Sounds like he’s going to fulfill his contract and then retire. I’m sure he must have told Dolan that when he signed on.

But he’s correct, things will be better for the GM than it was for him. Even if we don’t sign Lebron this coming off-season, the team will be flexible enough to compete for the Melos (if he doesn’t resign), the Howards and the CP3s in the coming off-seasons.

We’re just coming to the end of Phase I.

Id take bosh and gay if the lebron dream blows up in our faces.
Bosh
Gallo
Gay
Chandler
Rodriguez
I dont want david lee back.

Houston’s GM is a genius. Absolutely outmaneuvered Donnie. Look at what they got for an expiring contract. Picks, young players including a young borderline all-star in a decent contract. Great job on his part. Minnesota didn’t get as good a deal for Garnett. Just think about that.

Now, Donnie’s plan hinges on getting LBJ, Wade or Bosh. Anything else is a complete failure.

I don’t want to hear about Amare.
I don’t want to hear about Joe Johnson.
I certainly don’t want to hear about Rudy Gay.

Any combination of those 3 is not good enough. The whole future is gambled. Just remember who was the last guy who said “i dont care about trading picks, by then we will be good anyway” IT

If it works, I’ll be doing somersaults. I hope Donnie knows something about this summer that we don’t.

In that situation, i rather get Felton, Camby and Lee than Gay. But no way I pay Lee more than 9 mil per. Preferably 8 per

I think Donnie did what he had to do.

And all of you trumpeting Morey better realize that though HOU made a fantastic move, ultimately them taking on Jeffries may only get them Jordan Hill and a 2012 low 1st rounder if all things work out right this summer (after we have a better record than HOU in 2011). Keep that in mind too.

what do you mean you dont want to hear about johnson… he is one of the best players in the game imo……

Don’t forget about the 2 2nd rounders we have for the next draft and the possibility of DW buying a late first rounder like last year. This draft is expected to be a lot deeper than last years.
It’s gonna be fun to play around to see what type of team DW can try and make if he doesn’t get major guns.
Like I’ve said, there’s Boozer, Gay (after the trades Memphis pulled they won’t have that much money to keep him if a smart offer is made), Manu, Ray Ray, Dirk (doudtful because he really does love Dallas), Felton.
DW is gotta have at least 10 different scenarios for the summer.
Let’s hope it’s pretty in the end.
The clock is ticking.
And back to the team, since we won’t have a lot of size, it looks like we’re back to being a running team. S Rod, T mac, Will, Gallo. Lee. Hmm. At least it’ll be entertaining. No more 3′s from JJ.

+1

When DW retires (one must assume that it’ll be soon, I propose Morey to be the one to take control of the ship. That guy is sharp. He definitely got EVERYTHING he wanted. Multiple picks, Martin, Hill, JJ (which isn’t much) and relief from the luxury tax.
He knows how to play poker and played with the desperation for a man willing to do anything for cap space.
In Nate’s case, I really thought DW would try to get a 1st rounder not a 2nd considering Boston’s dire need for scoring of the bench. You can sort of see why Ainge’s got a ring.
Not hating on DW for not having one, but in the details you find the key differences between GM’s.

Assuming that all the odds play in our way. And they’re BIG odds mind you. Don’t forget about the other players: the Bulls and Nets have to offer a lot roster wise (why are way better than the Knicks), Miami as well (not so much roster though if Wade leaves, to Chitown).
This is definitely playing with fire.

I agree with what most of you are saying but when you look at the trade DW did what he had to do in order to get this team going in the right direction.. He stated the price was to high for the initial demands because of no protection on picks plus only McGrady & 2 scrubs in return with no value…

With the Kings getting involved the Knicks got back a legit PG with tremendous upside and in the end the picks were semi protected. Most people said the Knicks had no chance on Lebron unless they could have brought in another max player (Bosh). That would not have happen with JJ still on the Knicks. Lebron was not coming to play here with JJ and Hill he might come with Bosh or Wade.

Knicks gave up Hill and 1 draft pick in 2012 to get rid off JJ and pick up a PG way better than Duhon. Also if McGrady is 80% of the player he used to be then he is the best player the Knick have had since A Houston. No trade no big Free Agent period!

If Knicks don’t get Lebron, Wade or Bosh then sign 1 of the other top guys not max money then go after Melo & CP3 in 2011 when Curry comes off the books.

Too bad we didn’t trade Jeffries _last_ trade deadline, when all it would have cost is Nate. Then we’d be in the same position we are now, but we’d still have Hill and our future picks.

!

I have been reading this blog for a while.. but haven’t commented until now.. this isn’t going to make me popular.. but has to be said.. Lebron is NOT coming to NY. Period! Why? Two reasons… Cleveland or NJ. I doubt Lebron is going to leave his hometown team.. where he is treated like a god.. and who has done an excellent job building a strong team around him.. but if he does.. he is going to Nets who can offer him the same thing as the knicks in terms of developing talent.. he is best friends with JayZ.. and they are opening an arena in BK (which makes them a big market team).. You are not the only ones who think Lebron is coming to NY… the whole NY media seems convinced.. and maybe even Donnie quietly thinks so.. The good news?? Knicks will sign Bosh and Johnson.. those 2 w DG, Chandler, and a PG they can pickup w Currys contract.. puts them among the East’s elite.. with Lebron, Jamison and co.. Wade, Stoudamire and co (Miami).. my bet on the Lebron decision, he throws us all a curveball.. signs a one yr contract w. Cleveland.. creates another frenzy in 2011 when he may ultimately team up w Melo and Hov in BK given Clev isn’t already 2 championships deep..

Also Wade is playing in a time where players are given freedom to roam the perimeter. You can bet he wouldn’t have had that kind of success during Jordan’s period where there would be multiple people banging him all game long.

You ever watch how badly Jordan got abused by the Pistons? Dwade would have never survived that.

We didn’t officially lose our 2011 1st rounder. It is just a potential swap, and we will at worst have the rockets’ first rounder.

The Knicks didn’t even get a draft pick from what I understand…

Yea I totally agree, but it was only a rumor. You can’t be sure that deal was available.

I concur, doctor.

You’re crazy if you think Lebron is going to join the Nets when they are still in NJ. Even if they get Wall I see it as a longshot. Giving Lebron the input and 1st choice in bringing anyone with him to NY is the best proposal after Cleveland.

If you put Cleveland’s roster and the Knicks side by side without Lebron, the Knicks were better until the Cavs finally got that 2nd star to put next to Lebron. If the Cavs win the title this year which they should, then I totally expect Lebron not to go anywhere. If he experiences big time playoff disappointment by not even reaching the Finals, I can definitely see the Knicks having a great chance.

Did Morey have the upper hand? Of course he did. His motivations were much less public and his alternatives (keeping McGrady, gaining cap space) were much more palatable.

Walsh’s motivations have been know since he took the job, so Morey knew he could push for what he wanted. And Walsh’s alternatives (keep Jeffries, lose cap space) were deemed less palatable.

Walsh took the risk of trading Hill and the picks for the possibility of landing quality players later. It’s really no different than many, if not most, trades made each year.

What makes the Knicks’ situation this year a little different is our plan is, and has been, known for a while. So as fans we alreay have worked through almost every less desireable alternative to our main objective. It’s the alternatives that make us nervous, and they should.

In the end, in my opinion, it was the right choice given the known alternative (i.e. less cap space) that would definitely have negated our main objective.

Last 2 years? Try last 10 years…

Why not use Lee in a sign/trade to get us a real PG? (Assuming we don’t use him to sign/trade LBJ or Bosh.)

I suggest my fellow posters start dreaming up sign/trade scenarios for Lee and/or salary swap/dump candidates for EC’s contract come summertime.

If you think Cuban worries about the cap, you’re dreaming. Since he bought the team 10 years ago, he has lost $100M (!) on the Mavs as a business entity. That’s ~$10M a year! And doesn’t give a sh*t, and has said as much!

He will do everything he can, within the bylaws of the NBA, to build himself a winner. And he was a few horribly officiated games (Finals games 3-5) in 2006 from doing it.

Dirk will retire a Mav.

classic.

I just hope he doesn’t expect us to offer TMac anything beyond the veteran’s minimum next year. And that’s only after we sign/strike-out with all the “real” FA’s…

The “great equalizer” is not the Draft. It’s the salary cap. And it’s shrinking. And if the owners get their way, it will be a NFL-style hard cap in two years.

Which means large market teams will have to rely less on their ability to pay luxury taxes and more on the desirability of their respective teams and/or markets.

I agree NYC is still the Greatest City (or Market) on Earth and is a plus in the Knicks’ favor. I just hope it’s enough to sway any FA who looks at the rest of the team roster come July.

The thought of Tyson Chandler is better than the reality. He is a broke-d*ck…

I would argue LeBron is the first step and then Bosh. Where The King lands others will sure follow…

Repost from earlier:

“…Did Morey have the upper hand? Of course he did. His motivations were much less public and his alternatives (keeping McGrady, gaining cap space) were much more palatable.

Walsh’s motivations have been know since he took the job, so Morey knew he could push for what he wanted. And Walsh’s alternatives (keep Jeffries, lose cap space) were deemed less palatable.

Walsh took the risk of trading Hill and the picks for the possibility of landing quality players later. It’s really no different than many, if not most, trades made each year…”

NFL style cap will never happen .. The union is too strong and the talent level is too disparate n the NBA.

there will be changes.. but the nature of the NBA salary cap works.

Likely larger luxury tax payments.. shorter contracts and rookie guarantees. maybe something changes with the D League or expanding rosters or a real injury list to make the PA look good.

BRI % to the players is 57 right now.. that needs to come down so the overall cap will come down… but teams with stars will still have the right to pay them and pay taxes to the lower rung teams.

Brainwashed into your head, but by who? Columnists, beat writers and knuckleheads like you and me who want to have Knicks news 365. All Walsh has said is flexibility. It is not a bust if they don’t land 2, it would be disappointing to come up empty this summer, but the team would still be better going into the future. Losing picks hurts some, but even with a whiff on all the biggest names, the team will be better next year so the picks shouldn’t be that painful to see go. It’s been almost a full decade of losing, let me dream of a future for a little while at least

But then they changed the rules specifically for Jordan, that’s how he finally got past the Pistons – with the help of Stern. (bitter Knicks fan? yes I am)

He is really good. A legit all-star, but in no way a superstar. We gave away so much, basically mortgaged the future. So we have to make moves that makes us title contenders. That means getting 1 or 2 of the top 3.

Don’t forget about the 2 2nd rounders we have for the next draft and the possibility of DW buying a late first rounder like last year.”

Let’s hope he has a good “feel” for players falling into the later part of the draft. I’m not so confident about that after this last draft.

Start getting some scouts on the case immediately and please don’t listen to the coach. He thought Hill was the next Amar’e (I really think he was enamored with the fact that he was long and had some range) and then he refused to play him, he called “Gallinari the best shooter he’s ever seen” and then he never runs a play for the kid, destroys his confidence and devolves his development, he swears Lee is the perfect center for his system. Nate was perfect for this system, Darko was perfect for this system, blah, blah,blah…

Tell _’antoni to sit back STFU and hopefully the scouts can have a “feel” for the best talent available that fills a need.

No, I get it. It’s the oportunity of a lifetime, can’t pass it up. But… should we miss out on the players we want and having to play around with Allen, Manu, Camby, Jefferson, Felton, Gay, Boozer, Dirk, Pierce or whatever, though it would be an upgrade over what this team has now, it would be a failure.
All this was given up for a complete turn around, and while you can become a quick top 5 seed with the above, you’ll be on the top with two of the 3 max guys, that’s what you want. Not the combination of the 2nd tier players.
Again, if all this was lost to NOTget the top guys is major failure. That’s the life.
And I still think Morey is a great GM, regardless of what he did yesterday.