Posted by mattchless:

We need to take someone who can play Center over a SF like a Granger or a Graham. Unfortunately, even if those 2 becomes better players over the long haul then a Frye per say, by making this trade, unless we sign a C, we have a gaping hole now.

Another thing, I know Granger and Graham are great defenders, but I still want to give Ariza the shot to become our starting SF. By drafting one of them, we'd stunt his growth/pt.

We aren't good enough to address needs rather than take the best player available. If Granger falls to 8, we better take him. But just cause we have a need at center doesn't mean we HAVE to select one. Graham would help this team so much and with guys like Hunter, Gadzuric, and Chris Anderson on the market we'd be better off grabbing Graham who will develop anywhere between Bruce Bowen and Artest (without the drama).

Also, what if Miami said lets not take Wade because it might stunt the growth of Caron Butler and they already had Eddie Jones? They had a gaping need at center also but went with the best player available and it paid off big time. We need to do this! My draft list is Deron Williams, Bynum, Granger, Graham, Paul, Felton... Only Bynum is a center but I'm interested in getting the guy who plays on BOTH ends and has the potential to be an allstar year in, year out.

Posted by djsunyc:

if we don't bring in a center this summer, either via the draft or through free agency, we will not win 30 games next season.

second, if the deal is Q AND a conditional #1 - then this is isiah's best trade to date and hopefully and sign of things to come.

conditional #1 leads me to believe it's a future pick and not one this year.

Posted by mattchless:

We need to take someone who can play Center over a SF like a Granger or a Graham. Unfortunately, even if those 2 becomes better players over the long haul then a Frye per say, by making this trade, unless we sign a C, we have a gaping hole now.

Another thing, I know Granger and Graham are great defenders, but I still want to give Ariza the shot to become our starting SF. By drafting one of them, we'd stunt his growth/pt.

Ariza has a lot of holes in his game and room for improvement at only 20yrs old. He's not Lebron folks! We could always use a guy like Ariza as a spark plug and injury insurance of the bench.

Posted by diderotn:

I know talent and I do have a good feelings for who will pan out...Bynum will take at least 6 years to finally play like a Center....He is not ready for the league and by the time he gets there, he will be in a different uniform...Frye is the better player, but Taft will be the Amare of the draft....However, Frye believe it or not is the one with the mean streak....Get Oak in to teach him how to be even meaner, and let my man Laimbeer polish him up some....

Posted by s3231:

Here's something nice from the realgm article about the trade:

" There has been confusion over which side would receive the draft choice, but when this story was first broke by RealGM.com, late Wednesday night, my source said that the Suns would receive the pick, but it is now appearing that the Knicks will receive the conditional pick from Phoenix."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/36324/20050623/the_first_to_report_the_deal_richardson_traded_to_knicks_for_thomas/

AWESOME. We recieve the pick and don't swap first rounders??? That would make this a GREAT trade.

Posted by VDesai:

Posted by s3231:

Here's something nice from the realgm article about the trade:

" There has been confusion over which side would receive the draft choice, but when this story was first broke by RealGM.com, late Wednesday night, my source said that the Suns would receive the pick, but it is now appearing that the Knicks will receive the conditional pick from Phoenix."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/36324/20050623/the_first_to_report_the_deal_richardson_traded_to_knicks_for_thomas/

AWESOME. We recieve the pick and don't swap first rounders??? That would make this a GREAT trade.

If this report was true, it's a fantastic deal. And some people were saying to just stay put, make no trades this summer, just draft and sign players.