With the addition of Morris, it would be in the best interest of the Knicks to shop one of the bigs to move up in the draft. This draft is pretty deep, and the Knicks can go a long way on changing the dymanics of the this team moving forward.

Looking at some of the teams in the lotto, I'm not sure which one might budge and move there pick. Maybe a package of Frye, Craw and Nate can get us Seattles lotto pick and maybe Fortson, and another salary dump (Ridnour) which may allow them to resign Lewis. If this trade can work, I might zero in on Al Thornton to fill the void at SF. He's by far one of the best atheletes in this draft, and could be a guy that we could rely on to get us consistant offensive production out on the wing for yrs to come.

Then with our pick, I would take Almond to give us the perimter shooter that we so desperately need. and as BRIGGS has suggested, I would try and buy one of Phoenix's late picks and take Shawn Williams.

Marb/Ridnour
Q/Almond
Thornton/Balk/JJ2
Lee/Williams/JJ2
Curry/Morris

Balk, Morris and Williams give us the defensive presence we would need on the backline and all can work with Curry, because none of them are major offensive forces but are more fill in the gaps type players. Thornton, with seasoning can turn into a really good offensive force on the wing and can knock it in from the wing or take it to the hole with authority after having the ball swung to him due to a double-team on Curry. Almond is another shooter who can knock down shots from the perimeter. Next on deck would be to find a heady point to run the show for this young team but that can come in time (unless they have tremendous faith in Ridnour).

Personally, if we are moving up that far in the draft by getting the Sonics pick, I'd take Jeff Green. He does everything for your team, he can score, he rebounds, he's got a great handle, he can play defense. He is exactly what this team needs from SF.

I like your second pick and taking Almond, but I don't think he's going to be available at our pick. He is a very capable scorer from the 2spot and he lit up the NBA pre-draft camps last year(as Briggs as mentioned before) so I think it's a huge gamble hoping he's available at pick 21 or whatever it is.

Posted by bigbeast:


I like Green as a player but I think Thornton has a greater upside. Greens got a great feel for the game and is a good passer, but he's a bit of tweener. While he has improved his Jay, he's still a bit uncomfortable out on the perimeter. His handle could use a bit more work and I just seem him more of a jack-of-all-trades type of player. Thornton has the ability to be a better scorer, and better shot-blocker-help defender from the wing. I wouldn't be highly dissapointed if the Knicks move up and took Green but as I said, Thornton to me has a higher ceiling.

Almond might be there. This draft is deep. Even if he's not I'm sure either Marcus Williams, Alando Tucker, Aflalo or Byars will be. And none are bad options at 23.



[Edited by - bigbeast on 03-25-2007 12:38 PM]

Good post. I see it like this though. Say somehow we do get up high enough to land Green and then we land Almond. We wouldn't need Green playing on the outside since that is going to be Almonds territory. At this point, Green reminds me alot of what Danny Granger did at New Mexico, they are very close in height and weight as well. Both good scorers and defenders and a very good glue players. Alot of people were saying the same thing about Granger's J and he hasn't had any problems improving it in the pros and I think Green has a very good chance to do the same.

Posted by nyk4ever:

Personally, if we are moving up that far in the draft by getting the Sonics pick, I'd take Jeff Green. He does everything for your team, he can score, he rebounds, he's got a great handle, he can play defense. He is exactly what this team needs from SF.

I like your second pick and taking Almond, but I don't think he's going to be available at our pick. He is a very capable scorer from the 2spot and he lit up the NBA pre-draft camps last year(as Briggs as mentioned before) so I think it's a huge gamble hoping he's available at pick 21 or whatever it is.

Green is a proven. I would be very, very ok with him though Young is the X-Factor IMO. I think he has huge potential if properly coached. And as I been saying this team still need to find a way to draft Williams. He has huge question marks but his potential is huge as well. I think Gordon out of VA Tech may go undrafted. I hope he is also on the Knicks radar.

Marbury/Collins/Gordon
Q/Young/Balkman/Collins
JJ2/Young/Balkman/Collins
Lee/Williams/Morris/JJ2
Curry/Morris/Williams/Cato

That team should not be worry about foul trouble and injuries but age will be the biggest problem. Curry, Morris and Williams should be enough for the Knicks low post game. Outside shooting is still a problem with Jamal gone but I think Young has potential at becoming a threat from the mid range and out. Also Marbury seem to find his touch from the outside again. Depending on what is done with Malik and JJ1 you still have 3 roster spots.

Posted by Pharzeone:

Posted by nyk4ever:

Personally, if we are moving up that far in the draft by getting the Sonics pick, I'd take Jeff Green. He does everything for your team, he can score, he rebounds, he's got a great handle, he can play defense. He is exactly what this team needs from SF.

I like your second pick and taking Almond, but I don't think he's going to be available at our pick. He is a very capable scorer from the 2spot and he lit up the NBA pre-draft camps last year(as Briggs as mentioned before) so I think it's a huge gamble hoping he's available at pick 21 or whatever it is.

Green is a proven. I would be very, very ok with him though Young is the X-Factor IMO. I think he has huge potential if properly coached. And as I been saying this team still need to find a way to draft Williams. He has huge question marks but his potential is huge as well. I think Gordon out of VA Tech may go undrafted. I hope he is also on the Knicks radar.

Marbury/Collins/Gordon
Q/Young/Balkman/Collins
JJ2/Young/Balkman/Collins
Lee/Williams/Morris/JJ2
Curry/Morris/Williams/Cato

That team should not be worry about foul trouble and injuries but age will be the biggest problem. Curry, Morris and Williams should be enough for the Knicks low post game. Outside shooting is still a problem with Jamal gone but I think Young has potential at becoming a threat from the mid range and out. Also Marbury seem to find his touch from the outside again. Depending on what is done with Malik and JJ1 you still have 3 roster spots.

I assume your talking about Sean Williams, but which Young are you talking about? Nick or Thaddeous? I'm guessing your talking about Nick but I could be wrong.

Posted by bigbeast:

Posted by Pharzeone:

Posted by nyk4ever:

Personally, if we are moving up that far in the draft by getting the Sonics pick, I'd take Jeff Green. He does everything for your team, he can score, he rebounds, he's got a great handle, he can play defense. He is exactly what this team needs from SF.

I like your second pick and taking Almond, but I don't think he's going to be available at our pick. He is a very capable scorer from the 2spot and he lit up the NBA pre-draft camps last year(as Briggs as mentioned before) so I think it's a huge gamble hoping he's available at pick 21 or whatever it is.

Green is a proven. I would be very, very ok with him though Young is the X-Factor IMO. I think he has huge potential if properly coached. And as I been saying this team still need to find a way to draft Williams. He has huge question marks but his potential is huge as well. I think Gordon out of VA Tech may go undrafted. I hope he is also on the Knicks radar.

Marbury/Collins/Gordon
Q/Young/Balkman/Collins
JJ2/Young/Balkman/Collins
Lee/Williams/Morris/JJ2
Curry/Morris/Williams/Cato

That team should not be worry about foul trouble and injuries but age will be the biggest problem. Curry, Morris and Williams should be enough for the Knicks low post game. Outside shooting is still a problem with Jamal gone but I think Young has potential at becoming a threat from the mid range and out. Also Marbury seem to find his touch from the outside again. Depending on what is done with Malik and JJ1 you still have 3 roster spots.

I assume your talking about Sean Williams, but which Young are you talking about? Nick or Thaddeous? I'm guessing your talking about Nick but I could be wrong.

Nope. I am talking about Thaddeous Young. I think he will be the guy that everyone talks about when the draft is viewed in a few years as how did he only go at 16 like Kobe. If GA Tech would have had a better team and year. Everyone would be talking about him. I don't think he is going back to Tech based on Hewitt (BTW, wouldn't mind him joing Young on the Knicks) comments.

Posted by Pharzeone:

Posted by bigbeast:

Posted by Pharzeone:

Posted by nyk4ever:

Personally, if we are moving up that far in the draft by getting the Sonics pick, I'd take Jeff Green. He does everything for your team, he can score, he rebounds, he's got a great handle, he can play defense. He is exactly what this team needs from SF.

I like your second pick and taking Almond, but I don't think he's going to be available at our pick. He is a very capable scorer from the 2spot and he lit up the NBA pre-draft camps last year(as Briggs as mentioned before) so I think it's a huge gamble hoping he's available at pick 21 or whatever it is.

Green is a proven. I would be very, very ok with him though Young is the X-Factor IMO. I think he has huge potential if properly coached. And as I been saying this team still need to find a way to draft Williams. He has huge question marks but his potential is huge as well. I think Gordon out of VA Tech may go undrafted. I hope he is also on the Knicks radar.

Marbury/Collins/Gordon
Q/Young/Balkman/Collins
JJ2/Young/Balkman/Collins
Lee/Williams/Morris/JJ2
Curry/Morris/Williams/Cato

That team should not be worry about foul trouble and injuries but age will be the biggest problem. Curry, Morris and Williams should be enough for the Knicks low post game. Outside shooting is still a problem with Jamal gone but I think Young has potential at becoming a threat from the mid range and out. Also Marbury seem to find his touch from the outside again. Depending on what is done with Malik and JJ1 you still have 3 roster spots.

I assume your talking about Sean Williams, but which Young are you talking about? Nick or Thaddeous? I'm guessing your talking about Nick but I could be wrong.

Nope. I am talking about Thaddeous Young. I think he will be the guy that everyone talks about when the draft is viewed in a few years as how did he only go at 16 like Kobe. If GA Tech would have had a better team and year. Everyone would be talking about him. I don't think he is going back to Tech based on Hewitt (BTW, wouldn't mind him joing Young on the Knicks) comments.

Okay....I mentioned Thaddeous a while ago in a thread but also noted that he's still very young and raw. Not sure I'd I take him in the top 10 with Thornton still on the board. But if the Knicks could move up to the 15 pick range, then I would definitely snatch him up if he were there. The kid has tons of potential. He's a lefty who can handle like a guard and is very crafty in the post. With seasoning, and weight can turn into a monster offensively.



[Edited by - bigbeast on 03-25-2007 1:33 PM]

Posted by Pharzeone:

I think Thaddeous will develop at a fast rate. I think as the draft develops he will move up based on his potential. I think he will be able to do everything Green does now but better. He showed me alot during his Freshman year.

I dont know, I'm not AS impressed as you were, but I'm pretty confident he will turn out to be a good player, I'm just not convinced that he will develop that quickly. I'd take him over Green but if Green is gone, I'd have no problem taking Thaddeus and letting him develop here.

Excellent post. It's so clear that we need to change the dynamics of this roster it's not even funny. And if we do this thing right, we can accomplish this through the upcoming draft. The draft is Zeke's specialty - he's got to find a way to, not necessarily move up, but acquire an additional 1st rounder to go with our own.

Myself, I was always one who believed that come draft night, we should draft out of need and necessity rather than the typical "get the best athlete available." I know I'm in the minority on this but it's so crystal clear that our two main needs right now are (1) a need for a high % perimeter shooter/scorer and (2) an big-time interior defensive presence. I get sick when we leave players on the board that can fill weaknesses. That's gotta change come June.

I just don't know where the Randolph Morris signing fits into the plans right now. The move itself is a no-brainer but does that mean that we don't go after Sean Williams now? We need that kid in a Knicks uniform. We blew it last year by not signing Justin Williams from Wyoming after the draft (a similar player) but we've got to get it right this year.

So take it from here guys. Does Morris really make Frye expendable? I hope so. I guess we'll start finding out tomorrow against Orlando. Or could Morris be the one who might eventually get packaged to get another pick? And is it really possible to buy Phoenix's pick?