Another Q for Knicks?
posted: Monday, December 5, 2005

Qyntel Woods is in line to become Larry Brown's newest reclamation project.

The New York Knicks were trying to bring Woods into Seattle for a workout Monday, and if all went well they were expected to sign him as their newest small forward, three sources told ESPN.com.

A roster spot opened over the weekend when Matt Barnes, the opening night starter at small forward, was waived unexpectedly at the conclusion of practice Saturday.

The Knicks discussed free agents George Lynch and Darvin Ham before ultimately deciding to take a closer look at Woods, a 24-year-old who spent 2 1-2 seasons in Portland before being waived and then signed by Miami. He played in only three games for the Heat last season, then was traded to Boston as part of the largest trade in NBA history, a five-team, 13-player deal in which Jason Williams, James Posey and Antoine Walker joined the Heat.

Woods was released on the first day of training camp by the Celtics, who never had any interest in keeping the 6-8 forward on the active roster. Woods, who was included in the five-team deal in order for the salaries to match under NBA trade guidelines, is earning a guaranteed $745,000 this season from Boston.

Brown did not give a detailed explanation Sunday when questioned by reporters regarding the sudden departure of Barnes, who started in five of his six appearances for New York and averaged 4.3 points on 37 percent shooting with 4.0 rebounds. One source said Barnes was somewhat of a loner in a locker room where camaraderie is one of the intangibles Brown is trying to develop.

The open roster spot also would allow the Knicks to make a 2-for-1 trade, but any such deal is unlikely prior to Dec. 15 _ the date players who signed over the summer become trade-eligible.

In the meantime, the Knicks will have a chance to take a closer look at an athletic player chosen 21st overall in the 2002 draft. New York president Isiah Thomas has made signed somewhat similar players during his tenure with the Knicks, signing DerMarr Johnson in 2003-04 and Jermaine Jackson last season.

Woods was released by the Trail Blazers after he was investigated in a dog-fighting case. He had reportedly been working out in Cleveland during the first month of the season waiting for a team to call.

if we sign him, that makes nate, lee, frye, curry, jackie, craw, ariza, q, and qyntel as the 25 and under squad. that's NINE players on the roster. WOW. we got two dogs left in penny and AD. one guy that can help in malik and possibly james. trade fodder in mo. and one guy in his prime in marbury.

Q Woods? Two dogs?

Q: Who left the dogs out?

this COULD help give us a bigger wing to guard the Pierces and Davises of the world, but I doubt he'll ever reach his potential. Kid has all sorts of screws loose.

Also, I would never trust anyone who would hurt a dog.

Not for nothing, I kinda like this move... When he was in the draft, the Tracy McGrady comparisons were drawn. We obviously know that those comparisons were off a bit. Nonetheless, he can fill it up.. this guy is young and is fearless. I dunno why he hasn't been successful thus far in the league... could be because he hasn't had the opportunity to really play? I hope he is not a head case tho.. I heard about the "Dro" incident, but a lil bit of bud ain't hurt nobody Anyway, what's to lose? If he doesn't work here under LB then cut him!

[Edited by - JayNYC on 12-05-2005 3:59 PM]

Posted by SlimPack:

Im not too enthuses, the heat and the celtics both rejected this guy, I hope zeke knows what hes doing

same..not surpised (in a good way) at all.

hmmmm....for some reason I don't beleve espn

Went and looked at his pre-draft scouting report:

http://nbadraft.net/profiles/qyntelwoods.htm

Strengths: (Based on hearsay) Possibly the most talented prospect in the entire 2002 NBA Draft if he declares. Has skills that are unteachable. Part of the new breed of NBA players, of the Tracy McGrady, multi-skilled, ultra athletic types. A do it all player. One NBA insider I spoke to said he will be a top 3 pick and may end up the best player in the entire draft class.Comparing him to McGrady, he probably isn't the run jump athlete but his handle and shot are better. More importantly, "He's a good kid. I've met him and talked with his family, and he may not have taken the usual course to the NBA, but he's a good kid." Very versatile, extremely skilled wing player, with great size and quickness. Can handle the basketball extremely well at 6-9, scores with a variety of moves to the basket, and has a nice shooting stroke. Explosive player with very good scoring ability.

Weaknesses: The Juco stigma. Kedrick Brown paved the way, jumping from a Juco player to being a lottery pick. However, he has had a slow start in Boston struggling for minutes. There will be no shortage of NBA scouts following Woods development this season.

HoopsHype had this to say about him after his trade to the Celtics:

Very talented...Outstanding athleticism...Very versatile...Can handle the ball and shoot it well...Can play some point...Defense still needs work...Has some baggage.

Why was he cut?

Is this definite news?

NYKnicks, congrats, you won the lottery. Now don't start pretending you've got an inside source, hehe.

I am curious to see what that dog-fighting case was all about. Did he really fight a dog or let his dog fight another dog? It could be he was released due to the Blazers trying to clean up their image.