NOw that our backcourt is set, there is no need to have guys like Ray Allen on the list at all now. Who are the players we should consider?

We should Consider:

Stromile Swift: He's only 6-9 but plays way above the rim and has arms like Yao Ming (I haven't fact checked that). He blocks and he rebounds, and while he isn't my top choice because of his height, weight and limited offensive arsenal, we should definitely be considering him. If hes in our starting lineup, we will be a running team.....we'll have to be. At around 10 mil per (according to one NY paper) hes quite expensive for my taste, but still we have to think about the guy.

Jerome James: He's Big and.....well, he's really big. He does possess some skill, but he's only inclined to show it on leap years and contract years. Having said that, he could man the 5 (with Frye on the 4), get some boards and blocks, and depending on our offensive scheme, he could become more consistantly productive in the shorter eastern conference. He'll be getting MLE-type numbers so his salary wont kill us, although his inconsistancy might.

Big Z: The only all-star calibur center who may be available. He is hands down the best player of the group in terms of skills and production. There is a reason King James has demanded that Z be resigned. What are those reasons?
Ranks #19 in the NBA in Rebounds Per Game(8.6)
Ranks #8 in the NBA in Blocks Per Game(2.12)
Ranks #17 in the NBA in Free Throws(402.0)
Ranks #18 in the NBA in Free Throw Attempts(503.0)
Ranks #1 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds(299.0)
Ranks #2 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds Per Game(3.8)
Ranks #6 in the NBA in Blocks(165.0)
The knicks need and could desperately use all of that. Not to mention how sweet it would be to have Frye play the 4 alongside him in the high post, and have Steph driving and dishing to him.

The Knocks against him are his speed (he's as fast as molasses), and his history of injurys. My response: he's definitely not gonna get any faster, but the Knicks are not trying to become the phoenix suns either. Jabbar was never the first guy dow the court (even in his youth), but the Lakers still managed to pull of a fast break or two. Fast breaks are what they are because everyone is not down the court playing D or O. His injury worries seem to be behind him (he's played more games in the past 3 seasons than Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Elton Brand. and Tim Duncan just to name a few). At 29 years old, 7-3, putting 17ppg 8for the knicks to definitely need to be considering him. $$$$ should be a determining factor as well, in the unlikely event that he comes for the MLE, he will be the Knicks starting center, you cannot be mad about that.

Dan Gadzuric: OK, he's athletic, hes 7 feet or very close, and he blocks and grabs rebounds. Hes on a team with Bogut and Mil seems to be high on Pachulia so he may be available. He really provides nothing much on Offense, except that he's all over the offensive glass. Last year he was 7ppg, 8rpg, and 1.3bpg in 22 minutes. Sounds like a keeper to me and hes probably the best bang fo your buck, because he's likely to be getting MLE-type numbers as well. At 26, he does have some room to develop something more on the offensive end, but he'll likely never be a powerhouse. But who really cares whether hes a powerhouse or not if he can add 12 ppg to an already impressive rebounding and shot-blocking/altering resume'. He's far along enough now, to help us out tremendously with his abilities. Hes Nazr 2 at an inch taller, a mile more athletic, and he actaully blocks shots! It doesn't get much better than that.

Eddy Curry: The scoring center of the future. He has improved his scoring every year hes been in the league, and hes at 16ppg now at age 23. He scores in the post and around the basket and is shooting 53% from the field (#5 in the league). With Heart concerns behind him, he can be penciled in to be a true 20 ppg beast at the C position within 3 years. The problem is, besides scoring, he doesn't bring much else to the table. His passing, rebounding, blocking, and turnovers are not what they should be for a player with his size and athletic abilities. Granted all of these things could be improved, and if he were in a different environment with a different coaching staff, and different set of teamates, he could and probably will become better at some of those things. Is he worth the money it will take to get him? If getting himis possible, will the potential of a 20+ dominating scorer at the Center position be too much to pass up? Who knows?

Samuel Dalembert: Is Dan gadzuric on steroids. Has decent hands, and is only 24 years old. Unlike Dan, his upside is very high. He could really be a defensive monster, with solid offensive output. He showed us in the playoffs against detroit where he averaged 11ppg 12rpg and 1.4 bpg and a million shot alterations in 38 minutes. His price will be high, a bidding war could push it to 10 mill per, is the risk worth it? Is it even possible, considering Philly would have to consider a sign and trade? Its a slim possibility but if its an option does Zeke bite?


Steven Hunter: He's young, he's athletic, he's 7 feet and he can do the dirty work well: Blocking and rebounding. Hes a good weak side blocker, and played good man-on defense on TIm Duncan in the WCF. He just doesn't do anything else well. He has no offenseive game outside of dunking. None. He 's probably be a 20-25 mpg player 9 (tops) because of his weaknesses and he is rumored to have Adult ADD which is said to be what stunted his development, but at 3 mill per, he'll certainly be thee cheapest option available, which may push him up on the list a bit.

Kwame Brown: The enigma. Potential...flashes of greatness...injury...inconsistancy....dissapointment. He's 6-11, young, athletic and skilled.....so why hasn't he excelled yet? Theories abound, from him being a dumb country boy, to Jordan and Collins killing him mentally. Whatever killed him, there is no shortage of teams willing to try revive him. He is already decently skilled and appears to have an upside of Jermain O'neal. He was on his wway with an 11 and 7 season, but injuries and human drama curtailed that. If he is acquired we are talking about 7-8 mill per, and is it worth it for a guy who has had one decent season? Many teams and GM's think so, and so do I. A change of scenery and a coach/GM witht he right skills could do it, and I think Isiah is one of those guys. Have you ever heard what Jermain O'Neal said about Zeke when he was fired?

Eddie Griffin: A 6-10 shotblocking machine with solid rebounding skills. I haven't seen him play but his stats tell me plenty. Hes 6-10 and is in the top 20 in blocked shots, and puts up about 8ppg, we should look into it.

[Edited by - Killa4luv on 07/02/2005 17:04:32]

Also can add Steven Hunter...and support for Kwame Brown does seem to be gaining.

Anyone hearing we offered Jerome James 5 yrs 26 mil?

Posted by VDesai:

Anyone hearing we offered Jerome James 5 yrs 26 mil?

This guys is a sucker pick-up. No way he should get the whole MLE. Even his per48 numbers don't look all that good.

HUNTER should be # 1 on our list, sign him to a short 3 year deal and move on to trying to work out a reasonable sign and trade for another big body. If we try to do a trade with no 5 in place then we are going to pay an arm and a leg.

Still a step up on Baker I guess...although Baker was only 2 years.

*Warning: The following is from Hoppsworld's Rumor Mill.*

I'll only list what they say about the free agents that the Knicks are interested in.

Antoine Walker: One of the 1st calls Walker’s agent Mark Bartelstein received was the Houston Rockets wanting to talk. The Celtics followed, renewing their interest in re-sign Walker. So Antoine will have his suitors. Its believed Antoine “expects” a sign and trade to receive more than the median exception, but uniformly most executives believe Walker will only fetch the median exception on the open market.

Dan Gadzuric: The Bucks have every intention of bringing back Big Dan, and see him as a complimentary player to Andrew Bogut, who may see more time at the four position with Big Dan anchoring the middle.

Eddy Curry: The Bulls want to re-sign Eddy but concerns about his heart condition have the Bulls looking seriously at the sign and trade offers that showed up on their door step yesterday, supposedly at least 6 teams contacted the Bulls about a sign and trade, one of them is rumored to be the Cavaliers and another is the Hawks – both have substantial cap room.

Kwame Brown: The Wizards got a handful of sign and trade inquiries, it’s more likely Kwame gets dealt than brought back. The good news is Washington will get something in return for Kwame.

Samuel Dalembert: Sam’s agent said several teams have contacted him, but none have made a maximum offer. He told media if Philly wants to end the discussions, all they have to do is offer max, and Sam will return to the 76ers – with a smile, I’m sure.

Steven Hunter: Steven Hunter seems to be getting the calls, his agent says at least 10 teams called about Steven, but that his first interest would be returning to Phoenix, but they are seeking much more than the $750,000 Hunter was making. It’s believed at least one team offered Steven $3 million.

Stromile Swift: The Houston Rockets are one of the notable suitors for Stro, most believe he wants to play in Houston, but other teams are in the mix. The Grizzlies have made it known they would entertain a sign and trade for Stro. It’s unlikely Stro is back in Memphis next year

Zydrunas Ilgauskas: The Knicks want Big Z, but it seems new Cavs GM Danny Ferry has made it clear to ownership keeping Big Z is a necessary and may be willing to beat out a Knicks exception based offer.

Also, it looks like the Knicks are involved in two summer leagues:

Reebok Vegas Summer League
League dates are July 6-15
4 games per day at: 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:00pm
Teams: Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers.

Minnesota NBA Summer League
League dates are July 15-19
3 games per day at: 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:00pm
Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and Toronto Raptors

Here's the link to the whole article:
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_13255.shtml