but if u want a list of guys who i think are realistic options for us this summer if the cap remains about the same, i think we're gonna be looking at 1 year stopgap solutions for next season someone like Joel Pryzbilla is probably gonna be talked about this summer, or other guys not quite 7 footers like Jeff Foster, Etan Thomas, etc. I don't think we have a realistic shot at guys like Dalembert, Jordan or Gasol.

I like the Florida State kid Benson. He's got NBA size and his shortcomings seem correctable. Most of all he plays defense like its his #1 job.

There is no way, ZERO chance that Clippers dont match a MLE type offer for Jordan. The Magic matched that offer for Gortat. Cmon people.. we arent getting Jordan unless its a sign and trade and we include the long beach kid Fields.

My #1 would be Mosgov. Simply because we know he could look good next to Amare, the coaching staff and players liked him and he fit well here. I mentioned trading for him on draft day after we pick a player (we can do that)

My #2 would be Benson (see above)

My #3... hmmm who's available? Luke warm on Dalembert. He could be a good fit, he could be terrible here and just get in the way. We have two forwards that operate in the post a lot, and wants to KEEP them in the post. I already see too many mid range jumpers. I want Melo/Stat closer the rim

fishmike wrote:Ibaka? He's about as available as Melo is. Please.

I like the Florida State kid Benson. He's got NBA size and his shortcomings seem correctable. Most of all he plays defense like its his #1 job.

There is no way, ZERO chance that Clippers dont match a MLE type offer for Jordan. The Magic matched that offer for Gortat. Cmon people.. we arent getting Jordan unless its a sign and trade and we include the long beach kid Fields.

My #1 would be Mosgov. Simply because we know he could look good next to Amare, the coaching staff and players liked him and he fit well here. I mentioned trading for him on draft day after we pick a player (we can do that)

My #2 would be Benson (see above)

My #3... hmmm who's available? Luke warm on Dalembert. He could be a good fit, he could be terrible here and just get in the way. We have two forwards that operate in the post a lot, and wants to KEEP them in the post. I already see too many mid range jumpers. I want Melo/Stat closer the rim

fishmike Benson plays for Oakland and I don't see him close to being ready to play a C position in the nBA. He could be a nice long term pick for PF

Mosgov for our 1 would be a deal that i would be interested in. Kind of scks though doesnt it? We couldn't be patient.

I really want to add a quality defensive player this summer, I know that is what we are missing to be a championship caliber center.
I dont think we should pick up Billup's contract for next year.

Can someone please answer this question?
Does anyone know if we go this route, the 4 million to buy him out, would that be held against our cap for next year?

Ray Ray would be a great pick up if the MLE still exist too. And we can keep Fields if we commit to a center this year.
Steve Nash would also be great. I don't think we can realistically add both with the MLE and LLE though.
But if veterans are really willing to come to New York at a discount these 2 are true veterans that would add depth.
In order for discount players to come in 2012, I think we have to make a lot of noise in 2011. We have to show we are
contenders, be a top 3 seed in the East, or at least make the playoffs and play 2 tough teams down to the wire.

If we do pick up Bilups contract, we will have about 60m in total contracts, including Turiaf. He has a 4.4 player option. Not including the 1st round pick this summer.
With the new CBA, we have to make a decision 5 days after our season ends, including our playoff run.
It will be tough to make this decision, we don't want to lose a player like Billups. He can really teach our young guys some things in a year.
But we have to add at least one quality center this to be contenders, I think we need 2 though.
There are a lot of uncertainties and questions about the CBA that affect this decision, however, we won't know the answers before we are able to cut Billups.

If there really is a hard cap, Dallas might not be able to sign Tyson Chandler. I think the that a few teams would be looking for his services, and provide him a starting spot.
Not many teams with the cap room, are contenders, and assure him a starting spot. I think he would be a great addition to the Knicks but 2 other teams include...

Nets *Brook Lopez moves to PF* or they can go for a player like Nene/David West, they have about 40m in contracts.

Denver *they will have a lot of cap room, with JR Smith, Martin, and Nene as free agents. *nene has a player option at 11.6m, i think he would opt out for a longer contract*
they also have Wilson Chandler as a restricted free agent. They have about 33m in contracts for 2011. With the way they are playing now, players would be interested in them.

If Turiaf opts out and Billups contract is picked up, would it be enough to add a Center to use. If this happens, it would affect our cap for 2012 if it is longer than a 1 year deal.
I dont see any players that would have join us for a 1 year deal besides for D league players. With the cap room we have left, assuming its about 60, we would have about 4m to spend
minus the 1st round pick.

Kris Humphries
Joel Prizbilla i dont think this it would be enough to grab these type of centers, but the new CBA could raise the cap to 65m, we can have the ability to do so.
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Dan Gadzuric
Kurt Thomas
Jared Jeffries
Sean Williams and rest D League are players we can probably get the the MIN

===================================================================================================================================================================
Shawn Williams
Mat Barnes

Anthony Parker
Shannon Brown

these are players that we could use with the rest of the cap if Turiaf opts out and have a chance to sign....

misterearl wrote:Deandre Jordan - the Clippers let Jordan walk, and break up their best frontcourt ever, with Blake Griffin, because...?

Donald Sterling owns the Clippers.

Can we not pick up Billup's 14.4m contract and sign for like 24m 3 year deal? Do we still own his bird rights? It doesn't make a real difference since we would be under the cap and no one would look to give Billups an increase in salary.

If we go this route we have the cap ability to possibly add a body such as

Dalembert
Humphries
Prizbilla

Yao Ming?

and we can keep Fields or depending on the CBA, sign another serviceable player in 2012.
However, if the MLE still exist, would it be better to look to sign and trade our players so we go over the cap, and be able to resign Fields and gaining the MLE?

Ray Allen
Nash
KG? 5 year max with increase, player options for MLE?

Throughout his past experience, David Lee and Nate Robinson, both were giving fair contracts during their qualifying offer years. Making his own players happy and preserving value for the future of the franchise.

If we reshape Billups contract with a 24m for another 3 years is a very fair deal, considering giving his 14m contract up for next year. It would be 5m per year for 2 more years.
If Turiaf also opts out, we would have enough $ to add to our hole in Center and add to depth.
The more I think about it, I believe this is the route the Knicks are going to take.

Stat/Melo 37m

Billups 8m
Balkman 1.7m
TD 1.2m
Fields 800k

Rautins 800k *can we cut him, not counting on our cap?*
Walker 900k *player option, might not even pick up his contract*
1st rounder 1m

About 50m in salaries

if cap is 60-65m

we have about 9-15m to save ir Turiaf does indeed opt out
if not we have 4-10m to use

our needs would be Center
6th man type player G/F spots
rest we can use min deals

NYKBocker wrote:Maybe Donnie can find another Timo somewhere.

Donnie is leaving the building this summer.

Book it.