We should do the Jones/Francis deal in a heartbeat if Memphis will bite, which they might. I doubt Washington would trade Q for Jefferies but you never know. Either way, both trades should give the team a good balance.

I like Jefferies a lot better than Balkman. We're definitely overpaying, especially when you factor in luxury tax, but what else is new. At least it's a player we can use.

As for a sign-and-trade, I don't think you can sign a trade a restricted free agent. If you sign a restricted free agent you are precluded from trading him until Dec. 15. So I don't know if it's possible.

Posted by Solace:

I like Jefferies a lot better than Balkman. We're definitely overpaying, especially when you factor in luxury tax, but what else is new. At least it's a player we can use.

As for a sign-and-trade, I don't think you can sign a trade a restricted free agent. If you sign a restricted free agent you are precluded from trading him until Dec. 15. So I don't know if it's possible.

did you see any of Balkman in the summerleague? His style of play translates on any level as he does a great job overplaying passing lanes, underrated passer & good handle. Jeffries is obviously better right now but im afraid its just another panic move from isiah knowing that the MLE is there for him to use. Don't know if its worth it when we have Q, balkman, Woods & collins. Jeffries is a great player to add to if you are a good team. We're not any good and this moves puts us even further over the cap. If it goes through I'll give it a chance but you can bet I will be one of the angriest fans if he it doesn't work out and all we're left with is yet another logjam.

Posted by Solace:

Posted by Bonn1997:

Why is it overpaying? What's the going rate for 6'11" good role players? How often do teams get something better for the MLE? I actually think this is one of the rare occasions when Isiah did NOT overpay.

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 07-30-2006 5:53 PM]

Any salary we take on we pay double. As for "good role players". We obviously needed to provide this kind of deal to get him, but we are paying a bit higher than perceived market value. It's not as big an overpay as our past deals, so less complaints on that front. He really hasn't earned a full MLE yet -- he has "potential", which is tough to pay in advance for.


[Edited by - Solace on 07-30-2006 7:08 PM]

I think he has more than potential. He already is a versatile good defensive player. Which teams have gotten more out of the MLE? I just see it as a non-issue. It's one thing when you give $30 mil to someone who shouldn't be in this league like JJ; it's hard for me to understand it though when people complain about $5 mil per season going to someone who maybe should get $4 mil.

What's the logjam? He's the team's best SF!

Posted by gunsnewing:


not according to the Wizards who rather take a chance on a 19yr old. Can he shoot? who on this team can? Nate's not even going play, crawford is streaky. this guy is going to be our starting SF for the next 5 years, through 2011? I think it only prolongs our mediocrity and logjam.

Who cares what the Wizards think about Jeffries, as an organization they don't have any kind of history of being a good team or making smart personnel moves. How does Jeffries prolong mediocrity, just because he can't shoot?

I think Jeffries is one of the guys that can get us OUT of mediocrity. Between Jared, Frye, Lee, Nate, Crawford, and MAYBE Curry, the Knicks have some good guys to build around. Hopefully Isiah is smart and holds off on large moves until Marbury/Francis come off the cap so he can go out and get a legit scorer to put on this team to play with the young guys we have. Big IF, but Jeffries doesn't stall that process, if anything he'll the lead the Knicks further away from the draft, I know some may or maynot like that but he WILL make a difference on this team next year, you can bank on it.



[Edited by - nyk4ever on 07-30-2006 8:44 PM]

Posted by gunsnewing:

well and because its virtually 4 on 5. He's our best SF by default because the other guys aren't ready. So is it worth adding another longterm contract for a few more wins? maybe but this is definitely not a homerun and you can forget about the rookies getting any minutes since we're stuck with Q as well. and worst of all we lose Woods who's a better player and has potential to be as good defensively if given a chance

I just don't agree with that though. Jeffries isn't taking anytime away from Collins, he has no shot of playing anyway because of the guard logjam that is ahead of him. Balkman is another issue.

You have to figure that Isiah knew he was going to make a play for Jeffries around draft-time so what was the point of drafting Balkman? I'm still pissed off with that draftpick becuase it made no sense. We have no idea what to expect from Balkman, he could be good or he could be crap but we don't know what to expect so thats a good reason to bring in Jeffries, who has done it at this level, done it will and still has room to improve.

You guys make Jeffries out to be the worst offensive player in the planet. Take a look at Jeffries college career, he was a very good scorer and the kind of offensive system that Isiah is implamenting is VERY college like and is similar to the system that they used in Indiana where Jared averaged 14ppg and 7rpg during his 2 years there. I'm telling you, Jeffries is going to be a huge signing for this team, it is going to erase this teams need for a man-man defensive player and he will also surprise many of you with his offense. Bank on it.

most likely scenario is Balkman isn't crap because Isiah never has a bad draft. so we're basically giving up on him eventhough he cost us 30mm and taking on malik rose

Posted by gunsnewing:

You guys make Jeffries out to be the worst offensive player in the planet. Take a look at Jeffries college career, he was a very good scorer and the kind of offensive system that Isiah is implamenting is VERY college like and is similar to the system that they used in Indiana where Jared averaged 14ppg and 7rpg during his 2 years there. I'm telling you, Jeffries is going to be a huge signing for this team, it is going to erase this teams need for a man-man defensive player and he will also surprise many of you with his offense. Bank on it.

right there was a reason he was lottery pick. the only way he could help us offensively is if he was able to hit an open shot which he can't. he's not going to get any plays run for him with marbury & francis running the show. So he better our tayshaun prince even then we're still far from being a good team because garbage like francis

You would find it hard to hit a shot too when Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Larry Hughes were playing on your team. I'd be surprised if the ball ever touched my hands, those 3 are all black holes. Isiah's offensive strategy relies on alot of cutting and alot of motion, Jeffries doesn't need to be out by the 3point line taking shots, he can/will do his damage while moving to the basket. It's what he did in college and was very successful doing it. He'll have the same opportunity to do it here all while playing outstanding defense.

Posted by gunsnewing:

u think the offense is actually going to work? they've been talking about it a lot but right now all it is talk when you have ballhogs like francis, Q & curry in the rotation.

Who knows but you can't make personnel moves based on IF a offense is going to work. I hate Isiah and I hate Marbury but I have to believe that the two of them are on the same page and Isiah has talked about with Marbs what he expects from him this season.

Posted by gunsnewing:

u guys are right that 5yrs 30 is not alot to pay a guy to do some of the dirty work but can we really afford to keep piling on longterm contracts? Next we're going to give a guy 30mm just to rebound because curry & frye don't.

No we can not, absolutely not. But I think this is one longterm contract worth bringing in and for once Isiah made a good signing.