(1) Attempt to trade for Kirilenko RIGHT NOW. The timing couldn't be better - STRIKE NOW WHILE THERE'S TURMOIL IN UTAH. Oddly, he seems very unhappy there (and they're winning, that's the crazy thing), but together with that AND the fact that a guy like Sloan already has shown that he won't stand for A.K. popping off to the press like he's been doing and now even the Jazz owner is coming out and questioning his best player openly. It's a situation that's flying slightly under the radar because of the Jazz's sucess so far but internally it really sounds like a mess out there. ZEKE ABSOLUTELY HAS TO look into whether or not they'd consider moving him. If so, I'd be willing to part with either Q or Jamal along with any combo of Frye, Jeffries, Nate, Balkman, Cato and our #1. I'd rather give them Jamal over Q but Q might be more desirable over Crawford because he's flat out better, bigger, stronger, has a shorter contract and has been playing great ball for us this year. You gotta figure Q's stock is def. up this year, bad back and all. Plus, you gotta believe Utah would want to get out from under that huge contract especially if he really isn't happy playing there anymore. If they insist on Lee (nobody's getting Lee) then I turn to trade option #2...

(2) If Sacramento's willing, I'd do the same package for Ron Artest as a rock-solid plan B. I'd lean more toward AK-47 myself just because he's a little younger and brings that big-time shotblocking element that Ron doesn't but I'd offer the same package for Artest if I had a chance. He might be a little nuts, but he's seemed to have toned it down some plus I really don't think bringing him back to NY would be the ultimate, colassal mistake every thinks it would be. Outside of the Matrix and King James gimmie better all around players at the 3 then AK-47 and Artest.

(3) If Sacramento ever releases Justin Williams (I have a funny feeling they might - they only signed him to a 10-day contract plus Brad Miller's back from injury and they'll need the room when Mo Taylor and Kenny Thomas are healthy and ready to play) sign him immediately and cut Cato. I will never forgive Isiah for not securing this kid for the summer league when he had a chance. Instead we wasted our time with guys like Kenny Adelke and Elton Brown. Justin Williams was 11/11/5.5 blocks per game for Wyoming then was ripping apart the D-league (league leader in rebs. and blocks) when he got the call up from Sac. This kid's young, hungry, willing to do the dirty work, would come extremely cheap at this point and is a much, much better option than Cato or Jerome James. If we had this kid right now, I'd give him all of Jeffries' minutes and not even think twice about it, to be honest. And for all the people out there who think shotblocking is overrated keep in mind the following:
--- Think about how easy it is for players to just drive to the basket time and time again against us (like Richard Jefferson did tonight for example). I can't bear to see players taking it to the cup against us with no resistance underneath whatsoever. It absolutely nausiates me.
--- Think about what Breeny was saying about what Sac's coach Musselman had written on the blackboard in the locker room on MLK day against us: "THEY DON'T HAVE SHOTBLOCKERS! TAKE THE BALL TO THE BASKET!" You think that's the only coach out there that reminds his team of this before games against us?
--- Think about what Okafor did to us a few games ago esp. in that first quarter. He set the tone in that game.
--- Think about the effect role players like Theo Ratliff and Keon Clark had on the game for their teams when they were around and their teams were sucessful.
--- Think about the block the Dream had on Starks' 3-pt. attempt in game 6 of the '94 finals to save the day for Houston.
--- Think about all the games Ewing won WITH HIS DEFENSE thoughout his awesome career (esp. the younger Ewing at Georgetown).
Bottom line is that shotblocking is an incredibly underrated weapon to have and if Justin Williams is available you scoop him up and don't even think twice about it if you're the Knicks.

(4) If Jamal and/or Nate are ever dealt, pick up Frank Williams who's currently playing in the D-league and playing really well.

I'll start with this moving forward. What do you guys think? Let's hear some more ideas.



[Edited by - finestrg on 01-20-2007 12:59 AM]

[Edited by - finestrg on 01-20-2007 01:06 AM]

i want nate gone for a first round pick this years draft is strong.....id try to get rudy fernandez or richard roby......then if we trade for ak i want crawford in that deal not q...if we do that on the deadline.....i want knicks to sign as u said frank and with collins back up the backcourt

Posted by babyKnicks:

if we expect to get anything from anybody it's a lee package.

and we'd be idiots to not give up lee for ray allen, artest or AK47.

ill be an idiot and not give him up for Allen or ARtest... AK47.. I dont know.. i'd have to do more research on why hes playing so bad

Posted by babyKnicks:

if we expect to get anything from anybody it's a lee package.

and we'd be idiots to not give up lee for ray allen, artest or AK47.

starphucking

Posted by babyKnicks:

if we expect to get anything from anybody it's a lee package.

and we'd be idiots to not give up lee for ray allen, artest or AK47.

Ray Allen's too old to grow with this team, Artest is too volatile, and something is wrong with AK47 and until we know what, I would be hesitant to trade a good young player in Lee for him. In fact, I would be hesitant to give up on Frye as well. Plus, you have to remember that we will still have Jeffires and Balkman at SF. Unless we plan to let Jeffries sit for the next four years, he is going to need at least 24 mins a game. Now if you could trade Nate, Jeffries, and Frye for AK47, that would solve the problem and clear some roster space for some other players. If you throw in cash and a 1st round pick, it might be possible. THe deal would get us a good player and get rid of Jeffires' bad contract. IMO any trade would have to include Jeffries to bring balance to the team.

Posted by Finestrg:

(1) Attempt to trade for Kirilenko RIGHT NOW. ZEKE ABSOLUTELY HAS TO look into whether or not they'd consider moving him. so, I'd be willing to part with either Q or Jamal along with any combo of Frye, Jeffries, Nate, Balkman, Cato and our #1. I'd rather give them Jamal over Q but Q might be more desirable over Crawford because he's flat out better, bigger, stronger, has a shorter contract and has been playing great ball for us this year.
[Edited by - finestrg on 01-20-2007 01:06 AM]

I just started a thread on basically the same premise as yours.

He's the ideal frontcourt mate for Curry (playing SF of course). He basically does everything Curry doesn't, which will alleviate the pressure while he continues to SLOWLY grow (hopefully not in the gut)

The deal has to start with either Richardson or Crawford (and my choice would EASILY be Crawford).

Then either Jefferies, or Malik Rose + Balkman.

And THEN throw in this year's 1st from Chicago.


That should be enough to make them bite...or atleast try a taste.