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quicksandnyc
Posts: 20037
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/25/2001
Member: #29
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marc stein's column - http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/stein_marc/1455360.html
in case you haven't seen it...
Expect the Knicks to move Charlie Ward in any major deal they can swing. Ward represents one more tradable commodity than you thought Scott Layden had, but it's not because he plays point guard. Reason? Only about $2 million of Ward's $6.1 million salary is guaranteed next season, which makes him more attractive to anyone cost-conscious.
The Knicks could use young talent like the Grizzlies' Stromile Swift.
New York's fourth-quarter freeze to start the season has kick-started the LeBron James drive, in spite of the Knicks' own stubborn belief that they can be decent in the East. Just to be clear, though, we're not advocating that Layden simply sit back and wait for the losses. He's actually wise to pursue trades before the Antonio McDyess injury exception expires Dec. 2, but the targets best be young veterans with upside. Jamal Crawford, Stromile Swift -- that's the type to pursue. So there's at least one or two developing talents in place by the time June's draftee arrives, James or not.
Of course, considering Portland's sudden crisis, now you fully expect a deal that sends Dale Davis and at least one more Blazer to Gotham for Latrell Sprewell. Part of Portland's problem, besides the obvious lack of on-court leadership, is that its players inevitably feel unsettled knowing that they're constantly being shopped. Which leads to lackluster play. Bob Whitsitt needs to move more players out in a trade than he brings back just to ease coach Mo Cheeks' logjam a little. Davis meets New York's demand for a big guy and Sprewell feasibly addresses Portland's passion problems ... besides giving every wiseacre the chance to say Spree's the perfect lead Blazer.
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