The numbers game
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- June
- 27
Unless the Knicks plan to unload a couple of extra pieces via buyout, I would not be surprised to see Isiah Thomas deal the No. 23 pick and move into the second round where contracts are not guaranteed. There will be a couple of longshots available.
Maybe even Wilson Chandler.
It’s also possible the Knicks will go after some European player we don’t know, somebody who’s not ready. Stashing a player overseas is another way around the situation, but it can’t be a throwaway pick.
With 14 players under contract for next season, the Knicks would forfeit a little flexibility should Thomas make the selection. They wouldn’t have room to pick up a free agent. When the season ended, Thomas claimed he probably wouldn’t use the mid-level exception.
He said the same thing last year before chasing after Jared Jeffries.
Since the immediate needs of the Knicks might be better addressed through free agency, Thomas needs a little room to maneuver. Dumping the likes of Jerome James or Steve Francis or Malik Rose would be very costly. So if things aren’t going well, if there’s no steal on the board, don’t be surprised when a deal is announced.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, June 27th, 2007 at 11:56 pm by Mike Dougherty.
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