Posted by Finestrg:

I have a funny feeling that we're gonna let this kid slip away without so much as making an offer. So what do you guys think is fair market value? A portion of the mid-level? And for how long? 2-3 years?

BRING BACK Q2 ZEKE! PLEASE!!!!

Do most of you guys even want him back? Let me know what you guys think is fair.

Roster spots are becoming an issue as we have 14 occupied including Balkman and Collins. We might need to think seriously about cutting Taylor/Rose. A small 2-3 year deal (about 7 million) would be worthwile - but I'd keep Butler over him if a choice has to be made. I also liked Ariza over Woods if he's available.

The concensus seems to be to stick with Butler over Woods if it comes to that, but actually I think I'd rather keep Woods. I like Butler, but his ceiling seems to be somewhere in the "solid role player" neighborhood. Woods could be a quality starter at SF, a bonafide third (or maybe even second) banana type scoring threat. He can really shoot it and he can also score above the rim.

I'm with Bonn and Anji man. Woods has got to be part of this thing moving forward. He's better than any option we have at SF:

(1) Jalen (too old, obviously not part the future)
(2) Malik (ditto, not even a SF - I would repectfully buy this guy out, a la JYD. There's just no room for him)
(3) Udoka (Woods is flat out a better option here, skill-wise, size, the whole nine)
(4) Lee (Love the guy, but he's not a SF. I want to see him bulk up a little and retain his natural quickness. He's a great reserve at the 4 not the 3.)
(5) Balkman (I'm warming up to the pick a lot, but he's not the starter this early)
(6) Richardson (Plays decent defense and helps on the glass but is absolutely the definition of a "volume shooter." Woods could eventually turn into a much better option than Q-Rich at a much better price. Plus Q-Rich is always hurt.)
(7) Trevor Ariza (He's also a FA and he really was a nice little find by Isiah but Woods is such a superior player skill-wise, it's not even close.)

We've got options in case someone throws a boatload of money at Jackie (Adeleke, Killingsworth, David Lee, JJ, Frye's big enough to play some backup 5, etc...) But tell me who out of the above you would rather have at the 3 besides Woods.

My summer is very simple if I'm the Knicks:
(1) Re-sign Woods. The mid-level exception is for him, no other player. Probably won't even take the whole thing. But they ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO SHOW HIM THEY'RE INTERESTED SOON or else I think he's gone.
(2) Try like hell to deal off some of the extra pieces starting with Francis, but I'm not taking any bad (especially longterm) contracts back under any circumstances!
(3) Buy out Malik Rose. He's played hard, respect the guy a lot but we need roster spots. I'd consider buying out Rose, Taylor or JJ. If we bought out 2 out of the 3, I'd do cartwheels and backflips in front of MSG for a week but I know it's probably not realistic.
(4) Decide on that last reserve big between Butler, Adeleke or Killingsworth. I'm leaning toward Jackie because he's younger, bigger plus he's got NBA experience but the price has got to be right. Nothing crazy. If not, thanks for the memories JB, we'll miss you, but we got options there.

Stick to this plan, nothing crazy (no Jamal Crawford-type deals, no JJ-type signings, etc...) and I'm ready to go to war with what we have. Who's with me?






[Edited by - finestrg on 07-03-2006 8:59 PM]

Isiah's disappointed we don't have to give up unprotected picks to re-sign our own players!

I think Woods was our best two-way SF, and SF was a position of need for us.

I'd like to keep him, but he was a Brown guy, and we know how Isiah feels about other guy's guys.

Q2 on the simple fact we need a SFI would throw down about half the MLE to keep him and Isiah likes to collect PF's anyway.

I am starting to LOVE the Adeleke kid.

[Edited by - joec32033 on 07-03-2006 10:25 PM]

Posted by martin:

Posted by BlueSeats:

I think Woods was our best two-way SF, and SF was a position of need for us.

I'd like to keep him, but he was a Brown guy, and we know how Isiah feels about other guy's guys.

Did Q2 play D?

I think so. I felt he was one of the few that continued to give good effort throughout. Lanky guy with pretty long arms and good lateral quickness. I thought he stayed with his man, or at worst funneled him to the middle, and cut off passing lanes.