How the Knicks can get Creative

by Tommy Dee on March 9th, 2010 at 6:39 am

I’ve resisted on this topic because it’s impossible to tell who will be on the roster next year aside from their obvious target(s).  Do the Knicks have interest in Marcus Camby? I would think so, but he’s got a lot of miles on those tires. As I’ve always said, within the best possible reason, the Knicks will sign players who will produce next season. You can’t plan for injury, but the organization will be most diligent in terms of dollar cost average, if you will.

That said, Gym Rat Adam sent me this piece from hoopdata, and it spells about a lot of scenarios, many of them including dealing Eddy Curry.

“…Trade Eddy Curry to Charlotte

The Bobcats are another team with an awful contract they might like to rid themselves of, that being Desagana Diop’s monstrous deal that extends to the 2012-2013 season. For a team always worried about its finances, saving approximately $7,000,000 in each of the next two seasons would certainly be attractive for taking on such an albatross. A swap of Curry ($11,276,863) for Diop ($6,478,600) and D.J. Augustin ($2,540,400) just works under CBA rules, and would yield the Knicks $2,731,467 in cap savings, while adding a young point guard with a skill set very well suited for D’Antoni’s system. The Knicks could send the Bobcats $3,000,000 in cash to offset the extra salary they add this season, and free up future salary allowing them to sign Raymond Felton to a long-term deal.

While D.J. Augustin has fallen out of favor and has reportedly been on the trade market, if the Knicks are unable to pry him away in such a deal, the Bobcats could replace him with Gerald Henderson and Alexis Ajinca, two more of their recent first round picks that have quickly fallen out of favor. Regardless, there are quite a few options to make such a deal work, and it would appear to be in both teams’ best interest to make something happen here…”

When I think of the roster next year, it’s going to look nothing like this one. Seriously, allow yourself to make combination and use this piece as help.  Obviously, these are hypothetical, but good food for thought.
  • jay from the fix

    Great win last night. I mentioned how gallo wAs aggressive in the first 3 quarters of the nets game posting and toasting ( lol Clyde) and then dissappaered in the 4 th tonight the same thing why is this? Great game by gallo showed what he can be I think everyone is forgetting his D I think he played good defense and have been most of the season. I love seen the guy post up it’s like taking a wide open jumper when a smaller player is on him. Great blockbu Chandler.

    How about curry for okefor? Saves NO alot of money and we get a very well balanced player good offensively and defensively can score in the post and block shots and rebound move lee to pf at 8-9 mil no more than that. I went to Uconn and saw okefor I like his game. I went to watch a fee bobcat knicks game when okefor was there remember that game he had like 6 blocks against us a few years ago? Dude and play not a great 18 ft shooter but can play with his back to the basket and can protect the paint. Thoughts?

  • k-hodge

    I agree Tommy. Donnie is definitely going to have to get creative to maximize this opportunity. And Knick fans need to get their heads around this situation so they can understand how good of a situation we’re in. I’m not sure if everybody had a chance to read this breakdown of the cap by Larry Coon, but it should really make Knick fans smile. With a little creativity by Donnie (like that scenario from Hoopdata), and working the cap like Coon suggests, we are in damn good position to upgrade our entire roster AND get our stars..We’ll need to scrub the garbage heap and find one or two young cheap talents like Bill Walker, trade Curry for a young piece, and use our exceptions to sign one or two vets looking to win, then go get our stars. We’re right in it fellas! Keep the faith, be patient..

    http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?STORY_ID=15454

  • eraff

    A Curry Dump would probably require the additional surrender of young talent/picks…especially for Okafor. Okafor may be overpaid, but he has very usable, attractive skills. They won’t need to just give him away.

  • jay from the fix

    NO is losing money they would love to unload that contract I do think a second rounder or two might need to be thrown in which I would gladly do. Dude is young and a player.

  • Knicks4life

    Still don’t understand why NO made that trade in the first place in which they were adding salary.

    Okafur has almost been inconsistent for them all year.

    Also don’t see him as a D’Antoni player.

    If we had any other coach I would be psyched about Emeka, but this coach won’t play him. I’m almost sure of it.

  • jay from the fix

    This coach won’t play him? A guy that can protect the paint? This coach won’t play camby if we get him? U think the coach loves to have ppl drive down the lane like the 95? Come on man I know u don’t like the coach but he would okay those guys it’s not like they are rookies or aren’t any good

  • PipeDreamin

    would it be worth it to pick up DJ and an extra 3 mil in cap space at the price of having Diops 7 mil hang over us for the next 3 years?

    Its tough, but I think i’d rather see what else is out there, or worst case scenario, let him come off the books in ’11 and let Donnie go on another Nickelodeon Super Toy Run [for all my 80's babys out there] that summer.

    DJ is kind of a wild card to me right now. And after the last 10 years, i’m looking for some stability.

  • BiggieSmalls

    famous words from the hoopdata article

    His skill set is perfectly suited to D’Antoni’s system

    Indeed we’ve heard that same line used regarding MOST of the players already on this roster

  • BigDaddybluesman

    And now off the roster too.

  • trenttucker

    Curry for Augustin and Diop? Absolutely not. You don’t give up an $11m expiring for a backup point guard. If we take Diop at $7m for an extra two years, we get a starter back. And a draft pick.

  • Mal

    Yea Biggie
    I got caught up saying players are good for D’Antoni’s system ala Darko and others. The system is garbage but for the time being we are stuck with it. I think Mike’s judgement coaching begins and ends next season and he better put his ego aside and hire a defensive minded assistant to implement real D ala Thibodau, JVG, Mike Brown etc

    I think Serg is good at point but crap he’d better pull a David Lee and shoot jumpers all summer.

    Another note why bring in Diop, he would never get off the pine, he has no offensive skill sets.

    I like Emeka but……I just dont know and I personally dont want Marcus back either as TommyD mentioned a lot of miles on those legs and I do remember that Marcus has a lot of nice suits (injury prone)

  • TobyKnight

    Tommy – Are you looking at Diop as a valuable addition to the team?
    He woud surely add some defensive presence, but would likely be a drag on the offense.

    Diop is primarily a shot blocking, rebounding and rim defending defensive specialist. He is considered an excellent shot blocker (among the top 3 in blocks per-48 minutes) because of his large wingspan, and is athletic and mobile enough to cover quicker big men. While he has little offensive game, he has a good 15-foot jumpshot which he rarely uses and is known to throw a dunk or two. In addition, he tries hard and is rarely seen tired while on the floor, his proneness to fouls are attributed to his aggressive posture to block and contest shots and at times limits his playing time.

  • starksoakmase

    I think an Okafor type guy is the best we can get for Curry’s contract.

    His salary matches up perfectly with Curry’s contract next year, but goes up a lot the next three years after that. I think NO will be looking to dump his salary because they will have to pay West really soon.

    I’m not sure if they will be willing to do a offseason deal, or will want to see how next season starts before making a decision, but I’m have a feeling they will want to dump his massive contract soon.

  • NoVaCaInE

    +1

  • dogmanx23

    I read this article last week and that trade with the bobcats was pretty interesting and makes sense.

    Donnie CAN NOT buyout Curry, he needs to flip him for 1 or 2 players.

    The Eddy for Augustin/Diop deal is something i’d really have to look at, it fills two holes we have and more cap space. This is a draft night deal and honestly it could only take 2nd rd pick or picks to get it done.

    LB doesn’t want Augustin and Diop just sits on the bench.

    I’ve also thought about the Okafor trade but i wonder if we’d have to take Posey to make it happen.

    Eddy/Cash/2nd rd pick for Okafor/Posey (yes its a money move for NO)

    Eddy/Cash/2nd rd pick for Beidrins/Maggette (money move by GS)

    Those are some deals id also try to look at.

  • Knicks4life

    I don’t like the coach? Where did you get that from?

  • blackwood

    Are you kidding me?? EC is over 11mil coming off the books and you guys want to throw that away on Diop and Augustin?? Okafor?? Those are the over paid middle of the road guys where trying to get away from now!!

    As I have been saying forever now with a team like N.O who is bleeding out money you have to strike while the iron is hot and swing for the fences!!
    There rookie PG is balling his ass off, so is there rookie SG and the rest of the young guys they have. So you make a full court press for CP3 now while its perfect for them to move on from him seeing as they have his replacement there already!! Yea it will cost us gallo or chandler hell maybe even both but I would be more then happy to start things from scratch with the best PG in the game! Tell me one player in the game who would not want to play with him!?!
    Forget mediocrity if we are going to do this then lets do it big!

  • gbaked

    very true biggie.

    although, i think this also points out the fact that just because a player can run does not make his skill set perfect for the system. I dont think your point deduces a knock on the system, as much as it is a knock on the people who think they understand the system.

    And just because a player has a skill-set, doesnt make them a player.

    You look at a guy like Al Harrington, and he has a skill set that should make him a major force in this league. However, he is missing other characteristics that make him a star.

  • dogmanx23

    We don’t have the pieces for Paul that’s why nobody brings it up. Of Course you try to do that. We traded our picks and our only assets are Gallo and Chandler.

    If they are trading Paul they will make the team take a bad contract off their hands and unless we are planning to use our cap space in that trade we have no chance.

  • jgilch82

    PERFECT SCENARIO

    bad two max players this year … LBJ + AMARE/BOSH
    trade curry during the season for multiple pieces and maybe take back a bad contract and get draft picks with it like Houston did with tmac and J.J.

  • k-hodge

    Really? Don’t let HIM hear you say that….LOL Al already thinks HE’S the star. Al will play one on eight if thats what the other team puts on the floor..I don’t think that brutha can SPELL Pass..LMAO

  • JASONHAYES

    How about this 2010 plan?

    A. Trade Eddy’s expiring 10.5 mil contract for Warrior’s Monta Ellis 11 mil?
    Knicks get an explosive, athletic point guard and the warriors get cap relief. Warriors want to hand the Keys to Steph Curry anyway. This move would benefit them alot.

    B. Sign and Trade David Lee for Chris Bosh.

    C. Sign Lebron James.
    D. Sign Camby to two year 3 mil deal.

    D. Since you have Bird Rights to players, you are allowed to go over the cap to resign your own players.
    Sign Mcgrady to a one year 2 million deal.
    Sign Rodriguez to his qualifying offer.
    Sign Walker to his qualifying offer.

    2010 Knicks lineup!

    Monta Ellis (Trade from Eddy Curry)
    Tracy McGrady (Bird Rights)
    Lebron James (16.5 MAX)
    Chris Bosh (16.5 MAX)
    Marcus Camby (2 YR 3 MIL)

    Bench:
    Wilson Chandler
    Danilo Gallinari
    Toney Douglas
    Billy Walker
    Draft Pick?
    Draft Pick?

  • DinnerDog

    To me, I view that Curry contract as way more valuable. Given that the Wizards gave up Antwan Jamison for absolutely nothing, I figure the Knicks can get a similar haul for Curry’s contract, even if it mean waiting for the deadline. I just feel like teams like Pistons or Warriors or Sixers are going to want to dump a contract. Here is a great article by Christopher Reina that proposes a bunch of ideas.

    http://realgm.com/src_feature_pieces/872/20100219/a_primer_for_new_york/s_2010_summer/

  • TobyKnight

    That would be a wicked lineup. Maybe LBJ can scare Ellis into playing some D.

    Chandler, Gallo, and Walker coming off the bench means there is little let up when you sit the starters.

    What’s the rationale for the sign and trade of Lee for Bosh? Why not just sign Bosh outright?
    To do this, wouldn’t we have to give up T-Mac’s bird rights? Couldn’t he just sign for the vet minimum with the understanding that he will get a bigger contract for year 2 when we aren’t worried about the cap?

    Biggie?

  • jgilch82

    im not paying a PG who has a 1/1 assist/TO ratio and plays ZERO DEFENSE 11 mill per year

  • jgilch82

    also i think when the warriors want they can get a HUGE package for Monta .. he’s still lightening quick and a VERY GOOD scorer that could turn a lottery team into a near playoff team

  • HaS

    “This coach won’t play him? A guy that can protect the paint?”

    Darko is averaging 1 block and a half in 20 mins a game in Minnesota.

    “U think the coach loves to have ppl drive down the lane like the 95?”

    The coach has started _avi_ Lee at Center since he got here.

  • JASONHAYES

    You think he wont play D, on a team like I mentioned above. Vets who play D like Bron Bron and Camby will get on his ass if he dont. Thats why you need proven star players. LEADERSHIP changes alot!

  • JASONHAYES

    Warriors organization is just little more wacky than the Knicks organization, so dont put it pass them to bite on a deal like that. Trust me, they want to dump Ellis’ deal badly.

  • JASONHAYES

    They are not gonna get picks for ellis, theyre gonna have to give up one to the team that takes Ellis off their hands

  • rookie

    My starting five for next season:

    Jordan Farmar
    joe johnson
    tracy Mcgrady
    david lee
    amare’ stoudemire

    with that you get a good mix and chemistry,you got knowledgeable ballplayer’s,rebounds,assist,shooting and low post presence.nobody will be overworked.this line up can match up with any team.I would not give joe a max contract and tracy will restructure his.lee can play power forward,joe is your zone breaker and farmar can run the break,his d is a little shaky,but he can be better than duhon and tracy can help bring the ball up.

  • manners

    Why is everyone in such a rush to trade Eddie’s expiring deal??
    Okafour has been traded what 2-3 times already. Team doesn’t have to be desperate to unload Curry’s contract because it already is way under the cap. Let’s use this contract as a chip. Let other teams come to us. Worse case senario is letting his contract expire freeing another 11 mil to sign another FA in 2011

  • rocky

    As I said in another posting.

    Oka looks like David Robinson Jr, plays like Mrs Robinson’s granma,
    with an aweful tract, no thank you!

    On Jason Hayes Curry for Monta idea..I love it but the Warriors can get a LOT for Monta why give him to us? Not just to clear out their own cap..NOPE
    never happen.

    On Jason Hayes projecting we get Camby at 3 mil for 2 years?
    hahahahahaha, we can get Camby but it will cost much more.

  • manners

    @Blackwood like your CP3 thoughts but it wouldn’t cost us Gallo and or Will. We have a contract that other teams want. 11 mil in this economy and with cap numbers expected to not rise, teams will over pay for Curry’s expiring deal. Look at what DW gave up for tmac’s contract. I expect the same from DW . If hr doesn’t get back something similar then I want him fired on the spot!! His first chance to trade the contract happens draft night

  • RR

    Well Gentleman I have been saying that the Knicks should trade for M Ellis for weeks now. I heard frequent responses that GSW would not trade him for EC. Take a look at this article from David Aldridge about potential players on the move:

    http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/03/08/morning.tip/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

    Also I don’t know who said Ellis plays no D but he averages over 2 steals a game. He is a combo guard who usually guards the bigger guard with S Curry covering the point.

    $11 mil a year for 26pts 4boards 5 assist & 2 steals a game. Not shabby even if he avg’s 4 TO’s a game. When was the last time a Knicks avg over 2 steals a game?

    The down side of a trade for Ellis is the Knicks will have to give up Chandler or Gallo because they have no picks to send. I would do it only if they pick up LBJ or Joe J to replace Chandler. I would keep Gallo.

  • fredweis

    Eddy Curry is the Knicks best pawn in a S&T. They’ll probably have to package Will Chandler with him, but it allows the Knicks to trade for one FA, resign Lee and then still have 10 million to split on a new starting PG and C.