Knicks Knacks

Making a list and checking it twice

June

We’ve officially reached the point where team executives start talking in circles.

Nobody wants to get caught leaning.

In the next few days leading up to the draft, there will be all kinds of speculation. Take it at face value. Some of it will prove true on Thursday, but a lot of it will fade away.

I do know that Donnie Walsh has a lot of us guessing.

The pensive team president apparently told a number of people inside and outside the organization the Knicks will not be predictable. So let’s deal with the unexpected.

Walsh is definitely calling around the league, seeking a match for pieces that don’t seem to fit here.

I don’t know whether anyone is expressing interest, so there’s a chance he’ll be forced to let go of somebody like David Lee or Nate Robinson to make an exchange intriguing. The goal is to unload some of these over-sized contracts, and there has to be an incentive to accept dead weight.

Throwing in cheap talent is one way of making things happen.
In this draft, it makes a lot of sense to chase playmakers because there are several who could impact a rebuilding NBA team in a hurry. But if you’re going to get rid of Lee or Robinson, does that make Joe Alexander or Danilo Gallinari a target?

There have to be some other picks that require a little imagination, let’s get a list going.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 at 1:42 pm by Mike Dougherty.
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7 Responses to “Making a list and checking it twice”

Jake June 23rd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Obviously this draft is about a lot more than just next season. It is unlikely any move will dramatically affect the team’s performance next season so it is time to start thinking ahead.
First, it is imperative we package the #6 pick and either Curry or Randolph, and take back anything we can get that will help lower salary.
As for what to do thursday night, I think the Knicks should forget about the first round and focus on acquiring an early 2nd. With that pick draft Bill Walker, a top-5 talent once upon a time who has been derailed by injuries. Have him rehab all year, basically chalk up next season to rebuilding and be ready to make an impact in 2009, leading up to that 2010 free agent class.
peter June 23rd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Mike any legs to Ford’s rumor of Memphis trading the 5th pick to the Knicks for D Lee and Malik Rose. The Knicks would also take the 2 years and 13 mil remaining on Brian Cardinal’s contract.
Trin June 23rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
This is based on the 2 main knick internet rumors floating around
As the trades currently stands, suppose Donnie executes both them on draft night…

First with Knicks/Memphis as reported by Chad Ford’s ESPN
David Lee + Malik Rose for Brian Cardinal + 5th pick

And then Knicks/Pistons as reported last week in the papers
Zach Randolph + 6th pick for Jason Maxiel + Rasheed Wallace + 29th pick

So after the dust settles what do we have

Knicks move up one spot in the draft
We lose David lee but we get Maxiel who is Lee 2.0 with a reliable jump shot
We take on Cardinal’s contract but we lose Randolphs and gets Wallace’s expiring.
We gain an extra 1st rd pick.

I swear if Donnie pulls this off – he will be the real “Don Vito Corleone” in NYC
EastCoastSportsFans.com June 23rd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
From what I saw of Maxiel in the latter half and playoffs of Maxiel, I’m 100% on board with your scenario. First, I’d like to know where you came across this rumor. Second, I don’t think Zach could want to get out of NY any faster but Rasheed would probably do everything in his power to keep this from happening.

This seems like way too much leg work for one 68-year-old man to handle. Keep your toes crossed. Good post Trin.

I agree, Mike, that he’ll HAFTA send value to GET value in return. The “corporate implications” of letting go of Lee loom larger than they appear on the surface as well.
EastCoastSportsFans.com June 23rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Looks like Zach Randolph is running away with the “Get Out of Town ‘08” poll.
DG June 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
The idea to do almost anything to dump salary in some trade is misguided. Right now the knicks high salary duo of Curry and randolph have less value then they will in a years time. In one year they will have had the benefit of being coached by D’Antoni and they will have one less year on their contract making them more attractive to other teams. Yes, the knicks are desperate but they don’t have to act it. Patience is warranted.

I say take the best available player at #6, I trust Donnie Walsh to do that, then let D’Antoni resurrect Randolph and Curry and then next year trade one of those two.
Rileygirl June 24th, 2008 at 6:11 am
I highly doubt that Detroit would get rid of Maxiel. He outplayed Sheed in the playoffs and he makes little money. Sheed will be gone from Det. He vanished in crunch time for the second straight year and his behavior makes him on the outs in Detroit.I hope the KNicks make that move with Memphis only if OJ slips. Love is surging and it looks like a possibility that Love goes three to Minny. This would make them the slowest front court in creation. Just another reason why Mchale is in the class of Isaiah( only great at building other teams). If Bayless/Lopez goes to Seattle, OJ might fall on our lap

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