http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/story/268905p-230281c.html

Isiah trying to pry Wally from Wolves

MIAMI - Isiah Thomas has never been one to wait for trades to fall into his lap. And with a three-game losing streak and a small cloud of turmoil hovering over his team, the Knicks' president is prepared to make a deal if only he can find the right partner.

The Knicks' recent slide is nothing compared to what is going on with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that came into the year regarded as a title contender. The Knicks and Timberwolves have had recent talks, and the Knicks would still be willing to trade Kurt Thomas for Wally Szczerbiak. Minnesota remains reluctant to pull the trigger, probably because Szczerbiak has been the team's second-best player behind Kevin Garnett. The teams have been trying to get Toronto involved as a third club in a deal for Szczerbiak.

If the Knicks acquired Szczerbiak, they likely would have to make another deal for a power forward, unless they are confident that Michael Sweetney and Vin Baker are suitable replacements for Kurt Thomas, who is averaging 11.3 points and 10 rebounds and is the team's best low-post defender.

Thomas and Stephon Marbury would appear to be the perfect fit, since they both excel at playing the pick-and-roll. But even though the two-man game seems to be the Knicks' best weapon, they don't seem to play it enough. The Knicks called Thomas' number often against Miami Wednesday night and he responded by knocking down 11 of 15 shots and scoring 23 points.

After the Knicks defeated New Orleans last month, Hornets power forward P.J. Brown remarked that Thomas and Nazr Mohammed "don't get enough touches."

A team with Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Allan Houston and Szczerbiak would mean that the big men might only see the ball in warmups. Kurt Thomas has value but the Knicks have to be concerned about sacrificing offense for defense.

Another name that has surfaced is Toronto's Donyell Marshall, who can play either forward position. To get Marshall, the Knicks may have to be willing to take back Jalen Rose's contract. Thomas was the only general manager ready to accept Rose and all his baggage if it meant getting Vince Carter, who ended up with the Nets. It's unclear if Thomas would agree to a similar deal just to acquire Marshall.

People close to Isiah Thomas say he has no illusions that his team is championship material quite yet and that his big move will come in the summer, when Tim Thomas and Penny Hardaway will be entering the final year of their respective contracts. Those contracts will be appealing to teams looking to trade a player with a long-term deal.

Frank Isola

Originally published on January 7, 2005

I would never trade KT for Wally; he's just another guard imo. Why doesn't Isiah focus on what is exposed? There is barely enough room now with Penny Crawfor Houston and Marbury, so how is Wally going to make that problem go away?

Wally's a home town boy from Long Island $$$$$ more ticket sales from LI for Dolan.

But then a again zeke's moves are usuallly under wraps and the media doesn't have a clue about what he is about to do.

Posted by diderotn:

I don't like Zerbiak's game, but anything to get rid of Kurt Thomas is a good move. what position would he be playing with the Knicks???? That would mean that TT would either be benched or traded, which would not be a bad idea.

You really are blind:

Kurt Thomas, who is averaging 11.3 points and 10 rebounds and is the team's best low-post defender.

get off the man's back...what is he doing again to warrant getting kicked out of town? Oh, score 20 against the heat in non garbage time offensive sets...yeah, you are right...get that guy out of town!!

chump.

I actually would do this trade now. Wally would be our best 2 or 3. Kurt's defense is extremely overrated. PFs are shooting 54% against him! I think we're fine (maybe even better) with Sweetney and JYD replacing him.

unless the Knicks are trading Penny in this deal, i don't see how it will really help us...the loss in rebounding would hurt imho...we have enough shooters, we need more size in the frontcourt.

what i'd rather see is a trade w/TOR only where the Knicks get Eric Williams & Zo...those 2 guys would really help this team imho.

ic...so under that logic only players who will take us to the Finals are worthy of acquiring? so i guess unless his name is Shaq, Duncan, KG, JO or Amare, we have no need to go after him?

add Eric Williams & Zo to this current Knick roster & they'd be much improved...Finals? who the heck knows...all i know is Isiah is trying to improve the team...those 2 guys could help him achieve that...don't think Finals when your team is struggling to stay above .500 for crying out loud! 1 step at a time.

Knicks have no shot at Wally. Last year maybe or in the offseason. Right now forget about it. He's the 2nd best player in minn.

Let's start off by firing Lenny and according to the NY Post Isiah is well on his way!

[Edited by - gunsnewing on 01/07/2005 10:13:25]

Posted by gunsnewing:

Knicks have no shot at Wally. Last year maybe or in the offseason. Right now forget about it. He's the 2nd best player in minn.

Let's start off by firing Lenny and according to the NY Post Isiah is well on his way!

[Edited by - gunsnewing on 01/07/2005 10:13:25]

you never know... Min is in flux w/ the Spree and Cassell situtations. Also KT saves them some money. If you move Spree to SF (as they did last year) it lets them put Hudson in the starting line up and fix that situation.

After spree gets what he wants he becomes a "CANCER"


The boy wants to leave the game with a bang, but all he's gonna get his menacing stares from fans.

move KT for Wally does a lot for us. It gets TT out of the starting line up. It give you a chance to look at Sweetney for 30 minutes a game which will be huge because your whole offseason is about upgrading the frontcourt.