Curry and Craw will opt out in 2009 in all likelihood- and there is some compelling thought to let them play out another year and nto bring them back if their trade value isn't good.

[Edited by - vdesai on 12-14-2007 11:33 AM]

Posted by Panos:

hey, andrew and martin,
any chance of getting the player's contracts page updated?

no. it's too miserable to think about or touch

http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.htm

Everyone on the team is under contract for next season against Fred Jones, and while I like Freddie, it would be insane to re-sign him. In 2009/2010, Marbury and Rose will finally expire and the team has 4 players with player options- Curry, Craw, Richardson and James. James and Richardson may never have another payday in the NBA so they will be insane to opt out.

Now with Curry and Craw, you can make a case that b/c very few players ever hit the market as an FA, that they will opt out to leave this mess to make an equivalent or better contract. Craw will only be 29 and Curry just 27 so both could earn 5 year extensions at good money somewhere else rather than play out their options for what would amount to 1 or 2 more years. So no doubt I think they will leave and go for more guaranteed money.

Now the other issue is the young guys- while Balk, Chandler and Collins will be under team control for for another season...Lee and Robinson will be restricted free agents, and we will either need to extend them, risk them getting an offer from another team (which we will have the right to match), or they can play for the qualifying offer and become a UFA the next season. I think you have to extend Lee and take your chances with Robinson.

Because in all likelihood, Lee would get a big money offer elsewhere, we have to extend him and we'll be over or near the cap anyway. This is why I thought the Randolph contract didn't kill us the way every one thought it did.

Now in 2010-2011, if we have not re-signed Robinson, only extended Lee and did not retain Curry and Craw, we will be under the cap with the only players under contract being Randolph, Lee and possibly a re-signed Balkman, Collins, Chandler + whatever 2-3 draft picks we have picked up.

Just discussing the team in 2010 without having Isiah already fired is a circle jerk.

Big if.

Posted by Panos:

Big if.

Yes, but this is the scenario you need to consider if you're a GM taking this job.

Isiah also had a window where if he waited out 2 years he could've gotten under the cap significantly, but he chose to make a lot of deals and add to the books.

here's something to think about - if curry/crawford opt out, and we don't bring somebody else in, we are gonna be screwed b/c we owe our 2010 #1 unprotected in the marbury deal.

we can not afford to lose alot games in the 09/10 season IF losing that pick matters.

but if it doesn't, and it shouldn't, then we should proceed with a sound plan, which means getting rid of zeke now.

Posted by Panos:

Maybe if we all concentrate really hard at the same moment we can broadcast a brainwave that will convince Dolan that firing Isiah now was his own brilliant idea.

Then I'll talk 2010 with you.

I feel you're being cynical- I'm not presenting some kind of undue hope for 2010- I'm just saying this is the reality of the situation if you want to turn around this team's financial situation. I understand though, everyone's on edge.