The Knicks Fix

I know all options must be on the table, but I would hate to see David Lee go. We need his skills and energy, even if it's off the bench. How can you not like a guy who called Steve Nash as soon as he heard of D'Antoni's hiring? That kind of incentive is too rare. (Please listen, Eddie Curry!)
Do what you must, but make sure the return is well worth the sacrifice.

I'd trade Lee. Here is what we'd have to do. Assuming Miami wants Mayo, which is what Ford speculates in his article, we trade the 6th pick, Nate, and Chandler to the Wolves, Sonics or Grizzlies for their pick. Then we trade that pick (3, 4, 5), along with Lee to the Heat, who can take Mayo at one of those spots. We'd now have the 2nd pick and the opportunity to take Rose. Now, if the Bulls take Rose, I wouldn't do any of this, and instead try to package the 6 with Zach and ship them to Sacramento for Shareef Abdur Rahim, Kenny Thomas, and the 11th pick, and use the pick on DJ Augustin.

Alan,

How can the Knicks trade their 1st round pick next year if it technically belongs to Utah via the Phoenix trade of Starbury which is lottery protected?

Also Lee is not going to be traded and its a waste of time to discuss it...He is the most marketable Knick they have. Just look at all the advertisements and billboards around advertising the Knicks, he is always in them. All the newscast had Lee on TV two weeks ago for just getting a haircut for god sakes.

And touching on a taboo subject, he is the only token white guy on the team and he is a good player to boot, so he is not going anywhere, until the team starts winning or if they can replace him with a marketable player such as Lebron James in 2010.

Alan -

There's no way Baron Davis can come to New York without either a) taking a short-term deal, or b) ruining Walsh's 2010 rebuilding strategy. I don't see why either side would make concessions on this point, so even if Davis is looking to move, it won't be to the Knicks.

You've called out other beat writers in the past for passing off this sort of nonsense as news; you should hold yourself to the same standard.

Dan,

Both Abdur Rahim and Thomas have 2 more years after this one.
That doesn't fit into Walsh's master plan. Besides the fact that they are both carreer losers.

I like the 1st half of ur scenario though.

JohnQ,

You sure about Abdur Rahim and Thomas' contracts? I was pretty sure that they have 2 years left total.

Also they are losers and not effective players, but the idea behind getting them is to a) get rid of Zach while b) getting contracts that come off the books in 2010. If their contracts don't come off the books by then, then I stand corrected.

JohnQ,

Don't use ESPN's trade machine for this. It hasn't been updated for this coming offseason. Instead use RealGM's trade checker, which has. It indicates that each of those guys have 2 years left.

Alan, I can't tell you how pumped I am that you mentioned Monta Ellis and the Knicks in the same article. I have been waiting for someone to do this for nearly 2 years!

Ellis is an unbelievable stud and has a good shot at becoming a top 5 NBAer. He plays BOTH ends of the court with intensity, intelligence, and ridiculous athleticism.

If you ever get anybody's ear, Alan, (especially those with pull) I beg you to talk up and push for Ellis. I'd give up anything and everything for him- he is that good. The only players with as much skill and youth are Lebron, CP3, and Deron W.

I'd give them Marbury's contract, Lee, Nate, #6, and another pick for resigned Ellis and Harrington. If Ellis doesn't work out (unlikely) you can still go after Lebron because Harrington's contract is up and Ellis will always be tradable.

Baron's great, but too old and injury-prone to build around and sacrifice the cap for. Monta is the way to go!

Hey Anonymous,

Please quit taking cheap shots at our host. If you don't like his blog, then go somewhere else. It's as simple as that.

If we take Beasley we are showing Q-Rich the back door out of MSG? If the Knicks get Beasley - trade Q-Rich, Curry, or The Zach Hole - then I would say damn we had a good draft. Now our competition has to help us a little by passing up on Mayo.

1. Bulls - Derick Rose - Given - Wish you luck Derrick with the clueless Bulls

2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley - traded to Knicks for OJ Mayo and other compensation.

3. Timberwolves - (McHale) - Eric Gordon - Eric Gordon is better and will make a better impression than people think
Seattle - Brook Lopez

4. Memphis - Jerryd Bayless - a good point guard going to a sub par team

New York Knicks - OJ Mayo - Traded to Heat for right to Michael Beasley

If we take Beasley we are showing Q-Rich the back door out of MSG? If the Knicks get Beasley - trade Q-Rich, Curry, or The Zach Hole - then I would say damn we had a good draft. Now our competition has to help us a little by passing up on Mayo.

1. Bulls - Derick Rose - Given - Wish you luck Derrick with the clueless Bulls

2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley - traded to Knicks for OJ Mayo and other compensation.

3. Timberwolves - (McHale) - Eric Gordon - Eric Gordon is better and will make a better impression than people think

4. Seattle - Brook Lopez

5. Memphis - Jerryd Bayless - a good point guard going to a sub par team

6. New York Knicks - OJ Mayo - Traded to Heat for right to Michael Beasley

look i made this four trade in espn's trade machine and all four teams will be happy this is the trade http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=1975~125~2770~70~2184~2990~1006~869~3039~2772~1017&teams=17~17~14~18~18~7~7~7~14~7~14&te=&cash=
also denver gets knicks 6 pick adn nets 10 pick and miami also sends its number two pick to new york maybe then we can get lucky and get rose or beasly wouldnt be bad in dantonis system then now the only players we will have under contract during the lebron dwade free agency is eddy curry rose or beasly jamal crawford and nate robinson if we resign him and also wilson chandler and jefferies contract will end after that season so he will likly be bought out so either way if can lure one or both d wade and lebron our line ups would be
rose
wade
lebron
pf unknown
eddy

or
crawford
wade
lebron
beasly
curry
or even if we get just lebron with that lineup it would be pretty great team and who knows jamal will only be under contract if he chooses to exercise his option so we will be about 20 to 25 million under cap and have godd team to lure lebron and wade and only if this trade happens Alan hahn tell Donnie about this if u could and get him on the phone to get this trade that i mentioned to go down

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=1975~125~2770~70~2184~2990~1006~869~3039~2772~1017&teams=17~17~14~18~18~7~7~7~14~7~14&te=&cash=
do this trade and also denver gets 6 and 10 pick and also miami gives ny 2 pick and we will be under cap for 2010 have a great chance at lebron and wade and have a great young star in either rose or beasly alan please tell donnie about this and tell him to get on the phone as soon as u tell him about this deal and we will win championship by 2011.

RJ to Denver will make Denver a powerful force in the west. But will the Knicks want two guy who can't play coach D's style of run & gun in Blount and Haslem? Miami is going to ask fo David Lee in he deal.

Knicks trade what you need to get what we need in 2010. James will be getting old and and can and will never win the big one so we knicks fans don't need him now or never.

NYK might tempt Miami with an Eddy Curry-for-Mark Blount swap, if the Heat really are willing to trade down from the second pick and Mayo slips to No. 6. (Blount has two years left on his deal, which would clear him out for the Summer of LeBron.)

I still think Curry has to end up in Miami. There, all he would have to do is score in the low post, which is convenient because that's all he can do. Mayo, Wade, Marion, and Haslem are excellent defenders (and rebounders for their position), which means the Heat don't need to have a shotblocker at the rim.

If you really want to get creative, the cash-poor Grizzlies might be convinced to flip picks with the Knicks for a Brian Cardinal (2 years, $6M) for Malik Rose (1 year, $7.5M) trade, plus $3M in cash.

what if we could get the baron for a two yr commitment?

trade marbury's contract to G.St. for baron davis and monta ellis.
then draft that italian kid and now we have some players for d'antoni's sysyem....

or instead do the above and then trade the #6 pick so they can get rid zach randolph's contract.

The Knicks owe Utah (through Phoenix) a #1 pick in 2009 {protected) or 2010 (unprotected). IIRC, you can't trade #1 picks in consecutive years unless you have another #1 pick, so the Knicks probably can't trade the 2009 pick.

They may want to give up the 2009 pick to Utah instead of the 2010 pick.

What they should do is attempt to buy back the 2010 pick.

Da Knix need to go young. Aren't y' all sick and tired of getting over the hill, over-paid veterans? Build with youth, speed, strength and defense and forget about getting stars until LeBron is available.

Look at Atlanta, Toronto, Portland, New Orleans, Orlando....they will be in power in a year or 2 if not now....go young and strong now.

DTR

Flybanjo--don't waste your time engaging Anonymous (aka troll Mark) in any way. He's a vicious guy whose sole purpose is to attack anyone he can. The only mature response is to ignore him. He's a seventh-grader in a room full of adults. He even took to imitating others a few weeks ago in the effort to promote dislike and disharmony on this blog (and I've invited an effort by telling you this. So be it). Suffice to say, Alan's wise to the guy and actually pities him. So no worries. As the Heineken commercial advises, share the good. : )

Guys--the best reference for future salary information is www.hoopshype.com . Go to the main page, click "salaries", and then click on the team you want. It lists the entire roster, with active players' salaries broken down by year, for as long as the contract lasts. And, in this case, hoopshype shows that both Kenny's and Shareef's contracts are up in 2010, so they're compatible with the Doomsday LeBron scenario.

www.hoopshype.com ...bookmark it. It's a great reference (as good as baseballprospectus for the baseball fans out there).

i think the best way is to get baron davis. if you can see mike d'antoni needs a pg to run an good offense and monte ellis is more of scorer than a passer. while looking the draft prospect there is not another passing pg on the draft mostly all of them are combo guard except DERRICK ROSE, so its either ROSE or DAVIS as pg of ny.

I don't get the Strategy of unloading everyone to get Lebron. You people think that Lebron will sign with a Team where he is the only capable player? What are the guarantees that he will come? Getting Lebron should be incidental. We should try to rebuild the Knicks as if we were not getting any big star. Because if we don't, no big star are coming. I hope Knix Management's plan is not what's being reported. This is whisful thinking on steroid. I can't believe how many people are going for this crap. Let's rebuilt this team starting now! Let's wake up from this collective craziness that Lebron is coming.

I don't see any reason to make anyone on the team untradeable. The Knicks' biggest fan favorite, and possibly their best player, David Lee is by no means a superstar and may not even fit in D'Antoni's system. Therefore, wouldn't it make sense to package Lee with a bad contract, get little of value in return, while doing the same thing with the 6th pick? With Lee, or Zach Randolph, or anyone they could get at the 6th pick, the Knicks will be a bad team next year. To me, it makes more sense to get rid of two bad contracts, avoid having to sign Lee to a big extension next summer and avoid having to pay the 6th pick. That instantly clears a ton of cap space for the Knicks, which should be Walsh's only goal. Fielding a starting five of Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, anyone at power forward among Randolph (if he's not traded), Wilson Chandler ( D'Antoni prefers athletes, not bruisers) or Malik Rose and maybe Eddy Curry at center. Under D'Antoni, that team should be good for 35-40 wins, roughly the same amount they'd win with Randolph, Lee, whatever other contract they get rid of, and the 6th pick.

@ Wes
even if Lebron doesn't come, I'm OK with the goal of getting under cap. Under cap will give Walsh the flexibility to build/constuct a team that is balanced and coherent. Something we haven't seen in many a year. We have to draw the line somewhere and 2010 seems as early as possible. I don't think we need to sell the whole team off to do so but Zach has to go to make it happen. If Zach goes, I have hope that Curry's numbers will improve back somewhere close to where they were the year before. If so, with his contract, he could be moved and we could get something back for him worthwhile. I think same goes for Crawford. Hold him for the year with the hope that he'll look good in D'antoni's new system and see if he'll have some trade value after next year. Maybe get some picks for them and then start building a championship type team.

I hope you guys know that you are a bunch of losers. The Knicks, will always and forever, suck dick. They have a terrible, overpayed filled with shoot first guards and troubled big men. Why don't you guys just realize that you are wasting your time going to/watching their games because they suck. Now they bring into D'Antoni, who going to bring his Phoenix style offense, and it will be a disaster. And then this last guy is talking about trading the pick, is he stupid? The only way they can build is if they go through the draft. Good luck with your Knicks and their mediocracy for the next 10-15 years.

P.S. You're not getting LeBron, he'll go to the Nets and dominate you as he always does.

I've been away from the site for a while - needed a little break from the Knicks to preserve my sanity after last season. Its sad to see the same sorry lurking troll spewing bitter, irrelevant, off-topic and repetitive crap. Although the consistency is admirable.

Now there is a half-wit posting as "Isiah Thomas" who brings the same depth of insight as the anon. sociopath. Hey "Isiah" - a sorry clown like yourself beginning a posting by calling some fans losers is called irony. Look it up.

A lot of speculation here on what to do with the pick. Obviously the Knicks' options are tied to what the teams ahead of them do. If there is any way to get Beasley, they have to do it, not only because of his talent, but because he brings dynamic athleticism to a spot occupied by the plodding Zach. In D'Antoni's system, Zach may be the worst fit. I've read a few mock drafts and most writers seem to have Lopez going top 5. He has bust written all over him. I could see him slip on draft day when GM's actually consider having to step up and burn a high lotto pick on him. Although McHale may be inept enough to take him.

welcome back pete.

i've been laying low myself, the unsavory and immature banter in thus room has been a bit overwhelming of late (though the tenor has improved from it's nadir of a few weeks ago.

i agree with one point that was made today, there is little point in gutting the franchise in the hope that you will land lebron. two years from now lebron will solely be motivated to go to a team where he will win a championship, so that will preclude a cap-rich/talent-poor franchise. our only hope of landing him will be to have a promising young nucleus in place. if i knew how to do this i wouldn't be sitting here and blogging, i'd have a high paid job in the league. but i do believe that two things have to happen for the d'antoni system to flourish: both curry and zbo have to go. d'antoni has proven that he doesn't need size, or even much of an inside game to win. hwat he needs are athletes and shooters. there are a few good athletes on the team (crawford, n8, balkman, chandler, lee, jeffries), but no good shooters. over the next 2 years, they need to shed salary and add 2 shooters.

* Love is being generalized as too slow and not athletic. It's funny that they did not say those things when they kept advancing in the NCAA;

* They said those same things about Bird, McHale, Stockton, Mullin, etc.

I, too, took a sabbatical for a while. There was a stench from the lurking troll that I was hoping would have cleared by now. I guess not. The only difference now is that it’s transcended infuriating. Now it’s just pitiable.

In theory, at least, I guess you have to support the drive to get under the cap. But it worries me, too. You can strip the team to the point someone like LeBron isn’t going to have any interest because there’s no supporting cast. We have to bring in enough of a foundation of a roster so a superstar will see some potential here. Or, for whatever reason, in case we can’t land someone like LeBron. At least we’ll be moving in the right direction.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of LeBron wearing orange and blue. The sad fact is, I also want a Ferrari for Christmas. Yet I’m making plans to move ahead with my life should that not happen. Similarly, we have to be 2 years closer to rebuilding this franchise whether or not LeBron’s in NYC.

Of course, the root of the problem remains the same:

The CURSE OF ISIAH will be with us for YEARS to come. The damage he’s done will take years to undo. (After all that time and money . . . to be left with this miserable roster? What a waste.)

With an owner like Dolan, the alternative to getting under the cap is trying to spend your way to respectability. If buy-outs and the luxury tax don’t bother him, go get some A-level players by also letting teams include some bad contracts in the same deal. Then buy them out. At first I thought that was Isiah’s plan. Then I realized: He wasn’t going after the A-level players. He was just stockpiling bad contracts.

http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=4615924
if u look at this trade also include ny 6 and nj 10 and 21 pick to denver plus the miami 2 pick coming to NY and then we get blount hunter and haslem we buy out blount trade haslem for expiring contract or let his contract run up and keep hunter he would be nice off bench in dantoni's system and draft either beasly or rose this year with #2 and then we will be about 25 millon under cap by 2010 and the only 5 contract we will have is of curry crawford chandler robinson if re signed and balkman and either beasly and rose and we can offer enough to get lebron and wade to ny

Talking heads talked up Bogut too, MAK. And do you really remember what was said about Bird or McHale, over 25 years ago? Bird led Indiana State to the NCAA Finals. Did Love do that? McHale excelled as a scorer and a shotblocker, a lot like Rasheed Wallace. Does Love do that?

Stockton, as I recall, was almost unknown when he hit the league. And athleticism wasn't his problem, as the (not for long) starting guard on the Jazz found out in training camp.

I don't think Kevin Love is a difference-maker at the NBA level, which means he's not worth a lottery pick. I think the best thing to do with the #6, since there's no likely blue-chipper available at that point, is to package it with Zach for a cap-relieving trade. That will have more value in the long run than some role player. Maybe a good specialist, like this Gallinari kid, or someone with a particular offensive talent, would be worth a risk...but the Knicks already have a slowish rebounder. They don't need another (even if he's a better passer).

the main thing that the knicks need are shooters.

d'antoni system needs versatile players who can shoot.

i love d.lee but that cat can barely make a 12 foot jumper
balkman can't shoot...neither can jeffreys.

if they can get mike miller from memphis i would explore that...

the knicks need more shooters!

one thing baron davis can do is shoot and i liked the fire he gave the warriors.
remember he was behind the warriors big upset of first round dallas last year so he has some credibilty.

I don't mind the idea of a sign and trade deal with Baron Davis. But only under these conditions: Zach is part of the trade, and Davis is not on a long term contract. That means I don't care how much we pay him for this year and next, but that's it. Otherwise, the deal doesn't make sense, if the plan is to trim the salary by summer of 2010. I doubt Davis would go for just a 2 year deal, so...
PS. I have been mostly reading for the past 18 months. Tried posting a few times. Mostly got frustrated with not getting past the security system. Must say thanks to Alan and bloggers like Train, Sec11, and Pete among others for the thoughtful dialogue. Wish it was easier to join the discussion.

@John K -- hang in. It's a good group. With, of course, a glaring exception. Ignore the interruptions and fire at will. Welcome.

I say proceed as if we wont get lebron in 2010, I say sign and trade for Monta Ellis, by sending them Roses expiring contract. Trade Zach for Abdul rahim and Kenny Thiomas of the kings and buy them out. Trade the 6th and nate or chandler to new jersey for the number 10 and 21st pick and draft Gallinari or Jordan or Randolf kid if avaiulable and with the 21st pick take CDR

monta was the dude i wanted the knicks to pick but they told the suns to pick nate then he slipped 2 the second round knew he was gonna be good

there some real good ideas on the board.

but the crazyest ish is tryna get under the cap for 1 player.lmao..

i just want the knicks to make the best trades an signing
monta they should go hard at him he is on the raise
trade nate an som1 else or even the pick an nate for him in a sign an trade..

he is way better than nate an younger..monta.all eyes on monta.lets see

charlie villan the knicks should go at the bucks for him.

also marion can opt out but we aint got cheese for him..

stay tuned for more KnowLedge

@ john k.

welcome. the security system on this blog is screwed up. i recommend copying your entries before you post them, as very often the posts don't go through.

as for the infantile dribble that some bloggers here persist on posting, try to ignore it. bringing attention to their narcissistic rantings only seems to fuel their pitiful digressions into masturbatory egoism.

most of the people in here are die-hard knick fans with interesting perspectives and a deep understanding and appreciation of the league and the game.

Damn, Sec11 - well said. Ignore, ignore, ignore.

NYC 2 Infinity - agree on the need for versatile shooters. Phoenix also had good team speed, especially up front. Its why I don't like Love for this team - whatever else he brings, he dosn't run the floor that well. The Knicks need guys who can get up and down the floor in a hurry as well as spread the floor. The roster make-over will be long, but it is possible that with an actual coach some of the current players who are question marks might find a productive role. Could a guy like Balk or Chandler emerge as a valuable contributor the way Bell did under D'Antoni? With all the Weasel's terrible personnel moves, it will be interesting to watch and see if he lucked into any quality players who were lost to his terrible coaching and management.

The Knicks really need a point who can push it and make good decisions with the ball. That's not Marbury, who might keep a spot warm this season if he isn't traded or bought out, but will be gone by this time next year for sure. Its too bad Rose's stock rose so much - there is no way I can see him winding up here. So much needs to be done - maybe the point situation waits for now. Any ideas?

knowledge - I agree with you that it isn't a good idea to bank everything on LeBron. I'd suggest just managing the team intelligently, trimming the deadwood whenever possible (thanks Isiah) gradually improving the culture, to position the Knicks to make a splash in 2010 if the opportunity is there, but still heading towards respectability if it isn't.

MIKE,
Everyone knows Bird led to the NCAA Finals vs. Magic and what McHale achieved as a Gopher. Anyone and everyone can see the data, the stats, etc.. Using your argument, Ed Pinckney and Lorenzo Charles won NCAAs yet they were mediocre in the pros. Heck, Ralph Sampson was Naismith Player of the year 3X, Final 4, and had a very impressive college stats. They did not mean squat in the pros. (lest not forget that Love is/was only a freshman).

My point was the inevitable ‘stereotyping’ that takes place not just here but all around us. Surely, you’ll remember many so called experts dismissing Bird as too slow and un-athletic. Barkley and Boozer were supposedly too undersized for their position to prosper in the NBA. Even Auerbach was second guessed initially for drafting 6-8 “slow white man can’t jump” Dave Cowens. What these guys have is heart. So no one should be so quick to judge a book by its cover.

Joe Alexander has also shown great potential yet he may be “stereotyped’ by Wesley Snipes.

PeaceBOY,
After the mauling that you received in public, I’m the least of your problem. Guys, please show some compassion…

From MAK the Boatie aka Peace’s proctologist.

Odd & Ends:
• In hindsight, I wonder if D’Antoni wished that he took the Bulls job;
• I wonder if any of the beat writers would dare revisit the 06 draft with MD. Was Balkman in fact not even in his radar as he claimed? So we could’ve gotten Rondo (or even J. Boone or Farmar or MWilliams) as opposed to Balkman. Thanks Zeke.
• Monta Ellis is a highly coveted player. And we could’ve drafted him instead of Frye. Ouch again Zeke.
• I’ve always marveled at KG’s shake and bake fade-away J. Kinda like Dream’s in his prime. Unstoppable. Very surprised to see J. Maxiell block that shot last night. It was perfect timing. Maxiell is turning out to be a very nice player. So let’s recap this….. Isiah's "superior eye for talent" picked Frye over Bynum, Granger, Ellis and Maxiell. Thanks again Zeke.
• Celtics vs. Lakers would be a great series. Hope it happens. It’ll be like the 80s.
• I’m sure the league would prefer to see Celts vs Lakers in the Finals but to imply that “the fix is in” is outrageous. I posted a couple of years ago that if there’s such a fix, would we have seen Nets vs Spurs in the Finals? Probably the lowest rated and least exciting Finals in recent memory.
• As Drossman would say, “I’m off to the Hamptons.” Enjoy the long week-end.

If the Bulls take Beasley then the Knicks are going to target a trade to get Rose at 2 from Miami. Miami won't talk to no one if hey get D. Rose and D. Wade together. So the Knicks will haver to target for their biggest need - a new point guard. I like Eric Gordon or J Bayless. Watch Bayless drop to Memphis which is going to be willing to deal with the Knicks since they are in desperate mode. Knick can land Bayless, Mayo, or even Indiana Guard Eric Gordon which I like a lot to run the point.

I say trade down if we cant get Beasley or Rose. The nets would be perfect trade partners bc of their 2 picks. Blazers are looking to trade their pick but they are looking for players in return and we have none so i thats out. I say lets start a petition for Monta Ellis, the warriors need cap space give them Roses expiring contract and start Ellis at 6-7 mil for 4-5 yrs. I know that dont fit in to the "2010 plan" but i would take the garantee in Ellis than the hope of getting Lebron in 2010. I say trade down with the nets give them our 6th and nate for their two picks. Draft Jordan or Gallineari or Randolf with the 10th which ever is available. ( i would like The Italian kid then Jordan then Randolph) with the 21st pick take CDR or Marreese Speights or Donte Green or Nicolas Batum in that order.

Seems like the Warriors would only need additional cap space if they signed Baron long term. Not sure they will. Of course its a gamble if they let him play out his contract. I'm not real familiar with Monta Ellis. According to NBA.com he's 6'3, 177 lbs. I assume he's playing the 2 as Baron plays the 1. Seems a bit undersized to gaurd the 2. Does he defend? I know with D'antoni, we're going to push the offense, but if I'm going to committ any $$$'s, I would like 2 way players. Also, I'm getting confused about our 2009 pick or our 2010 pick. Which one did Isiah give away? If any one knows, could they post. Thanks.

Utah has our 1st round pick in 2009 but it's protected up until the 22nd pick so chances are we keep the 2009 pick. In 2010 there is no protection so that pick is gone.
I say we draft Mayo and try to get Milwaukee's pick (8th) and draft either Gallinari or Jordan. Then dump Morris and James to make room for them. Trade Crawford for TJ Ford and try your best to trade Zach or Curry for cap room down the road.

The notion that our biggest need is a point guard is "BS". Let's look at Boston and the Lackers which may meet in the NBA finals. Rondo and Farmar are not special point guards. What we need is good inside presence. Look at the Remaining Teams inside players; Garnett, Duncan, Rasheed, GAsol. It is not a coincidence. The Lakers is still the same team as last year, except for Gasol. So stop the crap about we need a point guard. With the 6th pick I would take the best player available. However, if we trade down, I would go for a promising Center (Randolph) or Powerforward. I still say that the plan of waiting for Lebron in 2010 is Lunacy. If we are not a playoff Team by then there is 0 chance of him coming. Even with a playoff team it will be a toss-up.

The top ten draftable players are in order: (1) D.Rose, (2) M.Beasley, (3) J.Bayless, (4) E.Gordon, (5) J.Alexander, (6) J.Mcgee, (7) C.D.Roberts, (8) D.Gallinari, (9) J.Mcneil, (10) O.J.Mayo. If Kevin Mchale pass on Joe alexander which he may and then draft Jared Bayless who he should, passing on Brook Lopez( even Kevin Mchale isn't that hopelessly inept) who is overrated, Seattle will be forced to take O.J.Mayo(another overrated player). Memphis then will no doubt take E.Gordon to pair up with one of their THREE POINT GUARDS! Which leaves the Knicks. The player for the Knicks , For D'antonio system, and the player who is ready and waiting to break free from his college game and be a force for the Knicks and a star for years to come is JOE ALEXANDER! P.S.: Knicks fans if you are as smart as you think you are you'll stop allowing your head to be filled with silly speculation, foolish speculative trades, and nonsensical draft scenarios. The Knicks need a small forward who can match up offensively and defensively with the small forward studs in the east and the best small forward after Beasley(with Beasley skill set i consider him a power small forward) is JOE ALEXANDER!

The notion that our biggest need is a point guard is "BS". Let's look at Boston and the Lackers which may meet in the NBA finals. Rondo and Farmar are not special point guards. What we need is good inside presence. Look at the Remaining Teams inside players; Garnett, Duncan, Rasheed, GAsol. It is not a coincidence. The Lakers is still the same team as last year, except for Gasol. So stop the crap about we need a point guard. With the 6th pick I would take the best player available. However, if we trade down, I would go for a promising Center (Randolph) or Powerforward. I still say that the plan of waiting for Lebron in 2010 is Lunacy. If we are not a playoff Team by then there is 0 chance of him coming. Even with a playoff team it will be a toss-up.

Listen MAK get off your soap box. The world is full of stereo Types and most of them are true. For evry Larry Bird, there are 50 John Koncaks. Stop bringing up a i in a million probability to prove your point of which you didn't make.

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

VOTE FOR MCCAIN!!!

The Knicks don't actually have a single "biggest need." The roster is a shambles and needs major overhauls at just about every position - a stud power forward would be a godsend. But unless D'Antoni completely changes his approach, his offense needs a point guard who can push the ball and make good decisions quickly.

Josh Smth is still open to trade as he has a players option. We would have to clear cap to get him. But, he is worth the investment. He can block shots and rebound. The questions is would he want to come here after the Hawks reached the playoffs. Kids got game.

@ Pete – I think your first point is the most important. What do we need? An entire starting team. We have to target talent. The roster isiah left us with is such a disaster, we should look for the best chance we have to land a franchise player, irrespective of his position. We don’t have one player worthy of starting on a decent team. I’m not even sure there’s a current Knick player who could crack the rotation on any of the teams still playing. (Think about it. After so many years, so many moves, so much money . . . what a waste.) MAYBE Lee could be a 12-15 minute man, but probably not. At least not yet.

Point guard? Sure. Although I have to wonder if we couldn’t also make do for a few years with one of the journeymen PGs who will be thrown away by other teams this summer. I’d love a Marion type. A 2-guard. (You either trade Crawford, or put him at his natural position, which is Vinnie Johnson spark plug off the bench.) I’m also intrigued by DeAndre Jordan. I wonder if a lot of GMs won’t be kicking themselves in 3-5 years because they passed on a franchise center?

I’m not claiming to know the individuals available. But I know what we need. Everything. Isiah hasn’t provided even the hint of a foundation to build a team. (Unless your foundation is Nate, Balkman, Lee and Chandler . . . and that’s a one-way ticket to first-round sweeps.) We should jump on the player Walsh and D’Antoni feel has the best chance to develop into an all-star/franchise player. And build from there . . .

Fantasy Backcourt 2008-2009 - Knicks

PG - Kirk Hinrich ex Bull *
SG- Jamal Crawford ex Bull
SF - Josh Smith ex Hawk
PF - David Lee - Drafted by the Knicks
Center - Anthony Randolph - Drafted by the Knicks

Bench

Nate Robinson
Wilson Chandler
Eddie Curry
Jerred Jefferies

* Pending a Marbury Buyout

Josh Smith would be incredible in D'Antoni's system.

this p.g thing is getting over blown.
the knicks need a leader a star bonafide player
need more players with heart an hustle

josh smith the hawks aint that stupid i would luv him on the knicks..
rite now monta is the hottest player to sign/trade for the knicks

sign gerald green he is worth a shot forreal he can be a great fit in Dtoni system/but no the knicks isn't that smart/we can sign him or 1 2 mill..or less/he is only 21-22.plenty years left to be good or great all he needs is a chance an good trainer

draft the best talent at 6 regardless of position
or trade it with a player or 2.

the knicks really need an inside Dfence player
can't have little dudes coming in the paint thatz embarassing.

lets see what happens

stay tuned for more KnowLedge

the moment of truth will be this coming season
where we will findout if we do need a new team or all we needed for a good coach

we will findout..

@ Trane
"Unless your foundation is Nate, Balkman, Lee and Chandler" and throw in Crawford, who I agree, should be our 3rd guard.
That's what Isiah left us with. Our foundation is a great 2nd squad. Problem is it's all we got. And Nate, Balkman, and Crawford will never be quality starters in this league. Lee and Chandler may grow. Question is: Do we use the pick this year to start building, or do we use it in a package to get rid of dead wood:Zach, Curry, Richardson. Otherwise known as our starting front court!

@ John K - I've been saying the same thing for years -- namely, Isiah so badly mismanaged this team, the best that can be said for the moves he’s made is that he assembled an entire roster of 2nd unit players.

Walsh and D'Antoni have a judgment call to make with this year's pick. After so many years of mediocre talent and embarrassing basketball, a hot young prospect would be a nice sign that these guys are turning the franchise around. But you're right -- as the odds of getting a potential all-star get less and less, the argument for dumping unwanted contracts (i.e., paying somebody to cart away Isiah's garbage) gets increasingly compelling. It's going to take a LONG time to clean up the mess he made of this team.

I agree. It will take a long time. I think we should get ready for at least 2 years to take out the trash. I hope we can start building at the same time, but, if I had to choose, I would prioritize breaking down this mess instead of shooting for the quick fix. I can live with some ugly teams for a year or two if I know there's a plan in place. And I'm not pinning all my hopes on LeBron. It just makes good sense for the franchise to try to get under the cap, gain flexiblity. It'll be the end of the hell that the Knicks have lived in since the Ewing trade. I'm tired of all the bad contracts! Glen Rice, Howard Eisley, Hardaway, Rose, Francis, Marbury, and hopefully the last is Randolph.

All Knicks players should be available for trade, including Lee, if he is the only markerable player he is the first to go.

Knicks need a gaurd and Mayo fits the bill, will be great for MSG.