And which of the knicks currently here are going to be on that roster?

Marbury, Crawford are obvious choices. I could see Sweets and Ariza having a roll on a championship bound team. But, for this team to play with the likes of Miami, San Antonio, Phoenix and other top teams- I think we all agree we need more talent and preferably, up front.

In watching the NBA highlights, I'm so amazaed at what Emeka Okafor has done- and he's the kind of talent we need to get- and the draft would be the best option to get that kind of player.

We were close to getting Chris Bosh instead of Sweetney- if only we had more 'balls' that year, perhaps we'd be in a better position to contend this year or next.

So, if you think we're one year away and one big man away, who is IT going to get REALISTICALLY.

i don't see them contending for a championship realistically for the next 2 years at least, unless Isiah pulls off some blockbuster miracle trade w/the contracts of TT, Penny, Nazr & Moochie in the offseason for some stud frontcourt player.

i don't think they're only 1 player away either...they still need some more role players who will bring more consistent defensive effort on a nightly basis...guys like Ruben Patterson, Eric Williams, etc.

when Kurt Thomas and Houston are no longer part of our team. We need two deadly jump-shooter and a defensive big man... once we get that, we will be able to contend.

I think starting the season after next, you will be looking at the core of players that will be the Knicks for a 5 year run, and I think the only guys on this current roster that will be a part of that squad is Marbury, Crawford, Ariza and Sweetney. *Maybe* if Houston is healthy he will be a bench player. but my guess is he's moved.

I think KT was signed because he at the least stabilizes your frontcourt, but he's a stop gap player and everyone knows it. He's just too limited in what he does. Perfect example of a bench player elevated to a starter and should probably still be a bench player on a great team.

I think Penny and TT will just be allowed to walk and their $30mm to come off the books.
I think Nazr, Moochie and Baker's expiring deals will be packaged or used to get a high priced veteran frontcourt player, or used in a sign and trade for a RFA like a Curry, Dalembert, Swift, etc

I think Houston's contract will be the final "money" deal. By letting TT/Penny come off the books the payroll becomes a little more manageable and in two years Houston's expiring deal will be the one that gets us that last piece, like Sheed was for the Pistons.

I think in 2 years what that will leave you with is a somewhat overpriced core of 4 guys making major cash, surrounded by nice young guys like Ariza, Sweetney and whoever else Isiah drafts in the next couple years or adds with the MLE.

Nazr can be a nice bench player.

Azira and Sweets need some big upside to get to condender status.

THey show promise! This is good.

I wonder really what Isiah's blue print really looks like?

Posted by fishmike:

last year: get some dynamic backcourt players. Gone are Ward, Eisley, Anderson, Frank. In are Marbury, Crawford, Ariza and Penny.

this offseason: get some dynamic frontcourt players. Gone? My guess is KT, Nazr and Baker. In? Time will tell, but here's another scenario:

KT+TT+draft rights to our #1 for SAR (sign and trade)+Patterson
Nazr + cash for Wilcox
Steve Hunter for the MLE 5 years $28mm

Marbury/Moochie
Crawford/Houston/Penny
Patterson/Ariza
Rahim/Sweetney/JYD
Wilcox/Hunter/Baker

I think that team would prettty damn good. Its young but too young, and has a nice balance of tough guys who like to play D with skilled players.

nice plan. i guess you're officially saying that sweetney is a 6th man. i have no problems with that, if that's what he is, but i would like to see if he can shoulder the starting load before defining his role as a bench player.

how about this one substitution:

KT+TT+draft rights to our #1 for artest + croshere

Marbury/Moochie
Crawford/Houston/Penny
Artest/Ariza
Sweetney/JYD/Croshere
Wilcox/Hunter/Baker

i think Penny is the guy who needs to be traded unless the Knicks can land a true starting SF...Ariza isn't ready to start yet, & Ruben is a bench player...

Artest or Desmond Mason would be dreams come true...i doubt it will happen though.

Posted by TMS:

i think Penny is the guy who needs to be traded unless the Knicks can land a true starting SF...Ariza isn't ready to start yet, & Ruben is a bench player...

Artest or Desmond Mason would be dreams come true...i doubt it will happen though.

penny can only be moved in a strict money deal. we need to find a team looking to dump for salary purposes only. at least tim gives you some useful minutes. penny's not really going to give you more than 5-10 mins of play a night.

that may be so, but then just think in terms of player value. Port can do a lot better than get a gimpy combo guard a year from an early retirement. Penny's days of PG are a thing of the past. He's just not good anymore. I'm sure he will have some moments but my guess is when TT's head is on straight its a no brainer.

i think as a backup PG, this team would be best off going after a small, quick, tenacious defender who can shoot the ball, like a Lindsey Hunter...Moochie has been doing a solid job of that this year, but Hunter is a better player & is a UFA after this season.

Watson would be nice, but i think MEM would like to hold onto him.

[Edited by - TMS on 01/04/2005 11:52:13]

Posted by gunsnewing:

what big time player can we get when we have Houston's $20mil to use as an expiring contract? I was thinking Lebron but he'll only be making 7mil

my guess is houston would yield us a very good player and 2/3 bad contracts. Think about it, with one guy you could slash half of your salary cap in one slap of fingers. That could be damn useful for a large number of franchise on a bad slope.