CashMoney wrote:The Knicks will pick up Billups contract for next year. The most realistic option for the Knicks to find a big man is the draft.
Not necessarily bro..I think we can find a very capable option for the center spot if we're open to all possibilities this summer, not just the draft..I wouldn't mind it AT ALL if we brought in a current DL guy like Marcus Cousin, Chris Johnson or even Courtney Sims, in that order, for training camp..I think all 3 are very capable for what we'd need and the price would be right up our alley..Once Chauncey's option is picked up we should be right around the cap, either over or under slightly..First off, I don't think we'll have the cap room to take on a second 1st round pick..A high 2 is what I'm interested in..And if over the cap, we can only exceed the cap with the mid or LL exceptions and as many minimum salary contracts as it takes to fill out the roster..I don't think we need a star or a big-time salary player at the C position..Just gimmie a guy that's big enough and capable of giving a workman-like performance every night -- dirty work, specifically rebounding, and it'd be nice if the guy wouldn't completely embarrass himself on the offensive end of the floor (the guy doesn't have to be an offensive juggernaut, not by any stretch, gimmie a guy that can make a layup, convert an offensive putback or stick a 12-15 footer). Guys that fit the bill will be available to us, we'll just need to keep our eyes open, act quickly and not sit on our hands...Johnson was called up by Boston (not sure how he's doing--I haven't looked at a Celtic boxscore in awhile) and Marcus Cousin just got called up by the Utah Jazz..Cousin is the guy I wanted BAD..EXCELLENT move by the Jazz. Gonna have to tune into every Jazz game now to see how he progresses..If Ty Corbin decides to actually play him, I think he's gonna be a very nice addition to that club and a good complement to Al Jefferson (hopefully he doesn't show them too much to the point where they think about bringing him back next year)..We'll have to see..Even though 2 out of the 3 got the callup, it doesn't mean they won't be available this coming offseason..Cousin, in particular, I'd look to jump all over this offseason if he's out there---it'd be like adding a 1st round pick, only a guy with experience (4 yrs at U of Houston, 1 in Europe, and this year in the NBDL playing at an all-star level)..Cousin's light years a better prospect/player than Mozgov, it's not even close..We wiffed on Mozgov imho..No big deal because he's off the books now (I actually may have been the only one WHO WANTED the Nuggets to take Mozgov off our hands in the Melo trade..Glad they did)...And I agree with some that you don't throw a ton of money at a Marc Gasol..Decent player, but not for the type of money that he winds up getting..I kinda feel the same way about DeAndre Jordan actually and I like Jordan better than Gasol...We need to be more responsible when it comes to plugging this hole in the middle if we expect to keep the most cap room possible open for the following summer..
As of right now, I'd like to see something like this:
Draft Marshon Brooks with our 1st rounder -- Yesterday I watched an archived replay on ESPN of his final home game, Providence vs. Rutgers (a game Providence actually won) and Brooks was AMAZING..So much more than just a great scorer---dude rebounds, comes up with a good deal of steals and blocks but best of all, he handles the ball EXTREMELY WELL and always has his head up looking to make plays for his teammates (he truly is an EXCELLENT passer and playmaker---very unselfish esp. for a guy that drops 25 a night)..Most of the time he'll execute great passes that his temmates just don't finish..Very mature, skilled player with a tremendous feel for the game...He's so far and away more talented than any of his Friar temmates it's not even funny..On a completely different level..A man playing with boys..Judging by some of these internet mocks, where he gets very little love for whatever reason, ignorance and unfamilarity most likely---most of them have him going in the 2nd round or low 1st--I think he'd be a steal in the 17-20 range..Capital S STEAL if we could get him later, but I wouldn't even chance it..There's a very good chance we could be without Shawne Williams and Billy Walker next year (Shawne Williams in particular might be looking for a raise that we might not be able to provide) and the following year, Landry Fields could bolt on us the same way Wes Matthews Jr bolted for Portland and a big payday..Then what? I say grab Brooks with our 1st rounder (a gotta say though, based on his NBA-ready talent, I'd be shocked if he slipped past the top 10) and consider yourself lucky...Alas, if we have no interest in Brooks and Kenneth Faried's there, TAKE THAT DUDE..Fill the need and don't look back..Seen him a few times this year and his hyperkinetic style of relenting rebounding/hustle/defense is truly amazing..I'd have absolutely no problem sliding Amar'e over to the 5 fulltime in order to make room for Faried at the 4..Like Brooks, Faried would be an instant difference-maker for us in year 1, obviously at a different position..After those 2 -- my 1 & 1a choices) I'm not sure...Briggs talked about Jordan Williams and I'd be behind that pick 100%..Dude's big and he can score and rebound the ball..He'd also help us a great deal right outta the gate..
Remaining mindful of salary cap rules and regs, instead of purchasing another 1 which I don't believe we'll be able to do anyway, go hard after a high 2nd rounder and perhaps even a second lower 2--I wanna see them get aggressive and greedy in this draft (convince Dolan to cough up the coin, as much as $6M if necessary to be used in two seperate transactions--go after 3 picks total)..Be prepared to grab center prospect Benson, or any of these guys in that range (a few talented bigs may slip farther than where they're currently projected): Jordan Williams, JaJuan Johnson, Trey Thompkins, etc... I also like Demetri McCamey's shooting ability and heads up floor game for a big PG (I think Chauncey Billups could really mentor this guy next year in a lot of the nuances) or maybe even the big perimeter forward from Richmond that some of you guys love, Justin Harper...With the 2nd 2, draft a 3rd solid component: Jon Diebler (huge upgrade over Billy Walker), Rick Jackson (provided we don't address the rebounding issue with one of the higher picks), maybe the little talented sparkplug Jacob Pullen, etc...
Sign Marcus Cousin and DeShawn Sims to smart 1-yr deals if they're available. Perhaps PG Curtis Stinson too, if they want PG depth beyond TD and can't bring back Anthony Carter.
