came across this on hoopshype:

"Knicks boss Isiah Thomas has long coveted O'Neal, who has been remarkably loyal to Thomas to this day as the two remain close friends. The Knicks are sliding and will need a boost—O'Neal prefers to play outside now—to complement Eddy Curry. I may be the only one, but I still think Steve Francis has something. Plus, Francis can opt out after next season anyway if things don't work. To match salaries, I'd take Francis, Channing Frye and Hoosier Jared Jeffries, who hasn't worked out that well in New York, to give the Pacers a core to begin working with. Plus the Knicks' yield their first-round pick they'll get in the exchange with the Bulls. It's a start for the Pacers with the deal they already made for Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy. And O'Neal suggested in January, perhaps it's his time to leave the Pacers. Chicago Tribune"

granted this is sheer conjecture from a columnist, but its worth considering. the pacers probably won't make the playoffs and would face quite a big shake-up this offseason given how awful they've played. plus i can see o'neal demanding a trade.

its too tough to tell whether JO is over the hump or whether he's just been cruising b/c he hates his situation and is kinda banged up.

still, if the pacers would deal him for francis, jared jeffries, and frye, its almost too good to be true. francis will probably be bought out, jeffries is the worst player in the NBA, and i doubt frye will ever amount to what JO is now. no way i'd give up the first rounder, but if JO is forcing his hand and demanding a trade that takes away the pacers leverage.

that would be a good move to start the offseason, getting rid of 2 mistakes (jeffries and francis) and only really giving up a soft, mentally weak bust (frye).

thoughts?

His salary is almost an Albatross.


Nope can't do it please see 2yr Cap Management Goal Thread.


Besides O'neal has been showing signs of breaking down the past 2 seasons.


This team needs to stay away from the sexy names and just build the right way.

O'neal, like Marbury & Francis, have too many miles on their NBA bodies. No thank you.

If its KG, that's one thing.

Too much $$$. We should focus on getting cap space for '09 and subsequently going after Wade or LeBron while having our young guys get better.

Posted by BigSm00th:

the knicks will be at 41 mil after '09 and will have to be re-signing lee, frye, and robinson, plus will be able to ink up balkman long term.

so making a run at either of those guys is doubtful.

While it is doubtful at the moment if they could trade Jerome James and/or Q(preferrably) then they definitely would be in the ball park. The Knicks can sign their own FA's(rookie scale players) last after they used up their free cap space to sign a big time FA such as Lebron. Those players have a cap hold and looking at their salaries it would be approximately $5-6 toward the cap until they are given new deals. The Knicks are in a precarious situation because some of those young guys may want an extension in place before their QO/RFA yr.

that's what i was thinking MS. why not deal francis, jeffries, and frye to get JO, and then move him right after to a team looking for a big man who can score and rebound.

i think if there's a deal, it will expand to something like this:

o'neal + tinsley/dunleavy + shawn williams

for

francis + malik + frye + lee

i would do the original trade in a heart beat... not the one involving lee tho

i'd trade anyone on the team EXCEPT D Lee to get JO... i'd want those guys playing together in the same frontcourt.

bird has no power if JO demands a trade tho.

and no way i do it if it expands to taking dunleavy (sucks) or tinsley (head case/sucks) OR if it involved giving up lee.

you really cant tell me you wouldnt accept this trade after watching tonights game.

FRANCIS SUCKS
JEFFRIES SUCKS
FRYE SUCKS

why would you not trade that combo for jermaine o'neal (averages 20/10, is 28)

i mean come on