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Caseloads
Posts: 27725
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/29/2001
Member: #41
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Van Exel
Stoudamire
Step 1: Get realistic and find a point guard.
For all of you who sat around waiting for Scott Layden to land Andre Miller, was it worth the wait? The Knicks don't have the juice to land Miller, Davis, Stephon Marbury or any other young point guard. Instead, the Knicks need to focus on finding a team which has a few troubles of its own. A quick survey around the league finds two point guards the Knicks could conceivably land: Nick Van Exel and Damon Stoudamire. The best deal the Knicks could swing would be Van Exel for Kurt Thomas and Charlie Ward. The Mavs think Van Exel is wonderful insurance for the fragile Steve Nash, but Van Exel's attitude will rot if his minutes start to dwindle. Still it will take an impact player to pry him away. The Mavs have been dying to get their hands back on Thomas. He's the type of no-nonsense, dirty-work player the team has been searching for. While Ward isn't nearly the backup Van Exel will be, he and Avery Johnson should be able to hold down the fort in Dallas if Nash starts to crumble.
Van Horn
Step 2: Forget dealing Sprewell, find a home for Houston.
Keith Van Horn was Byron Scott's whipping boy all last season. And, after the Finals, Kenyon Martin took a swipe at Van Horn that won't be forgotten. Van Horn is talented, but it looks like he's worn out his welcome in New Jersey. The Nets have been desperately trying to move Van Horn and find some perimeter shooting in the process. While the Nets would prefer Sprewell, the Knicks are reluctant to let him play in their backyard. The last thing Layden wants to do is trade a fan favorite to the Nets and then watch him become the last piece of the puzzle in the Nets' quest for a championship. That leaves Houston, who may be a better fit in New Jersey anyway. Houston is more one-dimensional, but he'd be the best shooter on the team. Outside shooting was the Nets' Achilles heel last season and Houston may be the best (and most expensive) solution available. While Van Horn isn't the answer to all of the Knicks' problems, he's young, has size, is a good perimeter shooter and has a tie to Utah (a must for Layden). The trade would also allow Sprewell to move back to his natural shooting guard position and give the Knicks a lot of flexibility on what sets they run. The deal, financially, wouldn't be as egregious as you think for the Nets. Houston's contract is only one year longer than Van Horn's. If the Knicks were to assume Jamie Feick's terrible contract as part of the trade, the numbers basically add up for the next four seasons.
Wang
Clark
Step 3: Get either Keon Clark or Wang Zhizhi to help in the post.
The Knicks are on the verge of snagging Michael Doleac, but they still need another body in the middle. If reports out of the New York are true, Doleac will sign for the veteran's exception, meaning that the Knicks have their full mid-level exception to play with. They could go in two directions here. Keon Clark is a bundle of energy. He's a terrific shot blocker, likes to crash the boards and can dominate for stretches. The problem with Clark is his inconsistency. He can disappear for long stretches. His recent citation for marijuana possession won't help his cause, either. Wang ZhiZhi is a bigger risk, but he, too, has a huge upside. Can he play center? The Mavs used him almost exclusively at small forward the last two years. However, his play in the summer league turned some heads. He rebounded well and showed some nice polish in the post. Neither player is a center, but both have games that could help spark a Knicks playoff run. Bet on the Knicks taking Clark despite his troubles. The marijuana revelation should allow the team to get him on the cheap.
Dunleavy
Step 4: Find a new head coach.
Don Chaney is a nice man, and all of the Knicks' problems last year weren't his fault. There was a reason Jeff Van Gundy got out when he did. But if this team is going to make a serious run in the East -- and Layden will expect nothing less -- they'll need a coach who can handle all of the personalities on this team. Last time we checked, Van Exel, Sprewell, Van Horn and Clark have all had trouble, from time to time, getting along with the coach. There isn't a perfect fit for them, but Mike Dunleavy Sr. has some experience working with talented, but troubled players.
Those moves would give the Knicks this opening day roster:
Point guard: Nick Van Exel, Howard Eisley, Frank Williams.
Shooting guard: Latrell Sprewell, Lavor Postell.
Small forward: Keith Van Horn, Shandon Anderson.
Power forward: Antonio McDyess, Clarence Weatherspoon, Othella Harrington.
Center: Keon Clark, Michael Doleac, Travis Knight, Jamie Feick
Step 5: Pull out the checkbook.
The Knicks have the biggest payroll in the NBA and making these moves will only make it larger. CEO James Dolan will have to pay big time for Layden to overhaul this team, but it is possible. Their payroll will take them to a ridiculous $95 million dollars this year. If the luxury tax hits and it lands around the $50 million mark, it will cost the team an additional $45 million in penalties. That hurts, but for the right price, the Knicks should be able to turn this team back into a real contender.
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