http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/50367/20080118/knicks_turn_down_artest_deal/

New York Post -
Though Isiah Thomas keeps talking about not wanting to make a trade, there has been various reports he has turned down deals left and right, the New York Post is reporting.

In fact, ESPN reported Thomas turned down a chance at Ron Artest, because he didn't want to give up Nate Robinson and Renaldo Balkman in a package.

Naturally, the Knicks are banking Artest will opt out after the season and sign with the Knicks for the maximum five-year, $30 million mid-level contract. The same one they used for Jared Jeffries and Jerome James. Artest told The Post earlier this month the Knicks are on his radar, and he wouldn't mind being traded now.

It also was reported the Cavs were interested in Jamal Crawford, and the Knicks could have snared Larry Hughes in a package.

The Knicks appear to have been shopping Zach Randolph, to Milwaukee and the Nets for Vince Carter. Randolph has picked it his play since Friday's blowup with Thomas in which he may have asked Thomas to trade him in the locker-room afterward, according to a TV report.

Thomas and Randolph have denied it, but Randolph has played like he's trying to boost his stock

If Artest really hopes to sign here for the midlevel exception after this season than this was a good move by not trading 2 of our valuable young assets.

On the other hand, do we want Ron Artest at all, at any time? I'm not sure, I guess I couldn't complain too much if he came here for the midlevel exception. I just worry about that guy.

Posted by franco12:

how on earth would it be a good thing for us to get Larry Hughes for Jamal Crawford?

Unless they're including lebron, no thank you!

Not only is his contract bad, but he's been a bust.

http://heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com/

They even have a website for him!

WOW... This side rocks
We will need a big group of WEB masters to make this kind of sites for Knicks players.
Does somebody want to take on the project?

I don't know about Artest. He's got the game we need, but I wonder about his ego. I kind of like the idea of what Portland has been doing. We need solid team oriented players. This team is so much better when it's sharing the ball and playing as a team, that it's shocking to see. They look much more like the team we expected to see. Just OK defensively, but really good on offense. Now with a guy like Artest we could move up to decent on defense and that could make a huge difference. On most nights we get killed at the SF spot and a guy like Artest would slow that down a lot. It's not his game that worries me it's his head. Perhaps it's just better to try and find a young kid in the draft who has a great defensive game and is solid on offense. That or maybe we look to get a guy like AK47. He can be emotional, but when you leave him alone he's pretty quiet and team oriented.

It's the wrong time to trade nate or crawford, especially nate.

With Marbury out, Curry seeing limited minutes, and Zach passing out of the post well, a lot more shots are available to our other guys, particularly the guys who can hit outside shots. I could easily see Robinson going on a stretch where he averages 20ppg. When you consider his better decision making lately, which has led to more assists and less turnovers, Robinson's trade value is sharply on the rise. He really has waited his turn with all the starphucks we have had in the backcourt, but I think that might be good, cause he seems to be really ready now. All that has to happen now is Isiah needs to give him more minutes.

If you read that article that Desai has linked to carefully - what you will read is that in ALL of these deals - it is Glen Grunwald - 'special assistant' who has been trying to put these deals together- not Isiah.

Of course- with friends like Grunwald - who needs enemies- I am sure I am going to read in the papers soon enough- about how stooopid Isiah was for turning down a deal for Michael Olakawandi, Troy Murphy and Wally Szerbiak for Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, Nate Robinson, David Lee and Balkan - of course the Knicks would have to throw in the expiring contracts of Marbury as well.

I don't know many GMS - who would have to put up with a 'special assistant' - that they didn't pick - and who would brazenly leak deals to the press- to make someone look bad- although it is quite clear - that all these deals is Grunwald. Back to the old days of getting Shandon Anderson, Weatherspoons, Kurt Thomas's of the world. It would be tuff to work in that environment - personally I would have quietly ladi a whooping on Grunwald's backstabbing ass - and prolly be out of a job by now.

Artest -would definitely be worth it at the mid-level exception - no doubt about it. Why would anyone want to give up on four draftees who combined make less than Jerome James- play sincere minutes, are getting better each year ?

I found it yesterday - but can't seem to find it today- but there was also an article on ESPN - which basically said that Dolan had asked Layden to put together a deal for Marbury-before Isiah came on board -but he didn't pull the trigger fast enough and was let go.

As I say repeatedly I definitely think Isiah is getting the shaft in a lot of things. If I can find that article again - I will post the link- but the point is - a guy who always tries to build through the draft and trade for younger players - would not give up two number one picks for a malcontent like Marbury - especially when h has been coaching in the league.

I am pretty confident I can find links regarding the Francis/Jalen Rose and possibly Jerome James connection to Larry Brown.

That being said - this is just one more brick in the wall to buttress my argument that IT has had a lot more interference in his 'job' than most GMs. Just because he keeps his mouth shut - and is determined to still make a go of it - despite all this interference - shouldn't mean that everything is attributed to him.

Finally - Danny Ainge has essentially given up 8 number one draft picks (Jefferson(2004 #15), J Green (2007-#5), Gerald Green (2005 #18), Marbury's cousin) and two future picks - as well as trading 2006(#7) pick for Theo Ratliffe . Plus the next two years of number one picks. In short- he essentially gave away every single draft pick of the last 5 years!!

Yeah Grunwald is his bosom buddy (is that the 2nd time I've used that term today). He's a smart guy with some good credentials outside of the NBA, but most of his BBall career has been tied with Isiah Thomas. What he's probably doing is Isiah's footwork, with Isiah having ultimate executive power to veto or approve since he doesn't have the time to negotiate these deals.

Hmm-didn't know that - sowwy

Damn MS, you almost had your hughes for Crawford deal...........LOL