No' you don't have to trade anyone! Why do some think we need to trade?

Keep the money tied up in what we have and WAIT two years. It's that simple. After the second season, move them, buy them out, trade them, do whatever to free up the money (millions) to go after LeBron and maybe even Paul. It can happen.

We have something just as valuable as a #! draft pick. We have one of the largest salaries and if managed correctly, we can offer any superstar a contract, who wants to play in NY.

This is the way it should have been done the last ten years. Look at the names we missed out on, because our money was tied up in long contracts of players that don't even come close to some of the biggest names in the NBA.

We finally have that chance. All we have to do is wait for LeBron and Paul to make a decision to leave their respective teams, after two more seasons.

Posted by TrueBlue:

I warmed to the idea of trading Lee once January rolled round. It's a no brainer if we want some serious cap flexibility.

We may have to consider that. That's if his agent is asking for something rediculous. But I think Lee would want to stay in NY (because change is here) and will settle for something reasonable. But the real money is tied up in guys like: suckbury, Z, curry, Q, Malik and Jerome.

I think if Lee continues to prove himself for the next two years, then I think if they ask for 6 to 8, then that may be possible.

I mean they thought:
suckbury - was worth 21 million
Z - was worth up to 17 million
curry - was worth up to 11 million
Q - was worth up to 9 million
Malik - was worth up to 7 million
Jerome was worth up to 6 million

And Lee's out performed most of these guys. So why wouldn't he be worth about the same, especially if he improves these next two seasons?

What's the difference between us and the other four teams that have the top five salaries in the league?

The other four made the playoffs. And we are second in salary. The ultimate example of mismanaged funds.

Posted by TMS:

Posted by nyk4ever:

I hate trading Lee but thats not a horrible plan, it definitely gives us some cap flexibility and a draftpick in 2010. Miller is a good player, he'd work well in D'Antoni's system as well.

i don't think B Miller would work great in D'Antoni's system actually, he's more of a halfcourt style player... he's a good passer & can shoot the midrange jumper but he's not exactly fleet of foot & overly athletic... he woulda been a nice complement to Curry/Zach & Steph had we continued w/the feeding the lowpost style of game... i wouldn't mind adding Miller if we could unload Zach but i wouldn't give up the pick to do it.

I don't think the idea is to get Brad to play in D'Antoni's system, it's becuase his contract expires after 2009.

Although, I think Brad Miller would play pretty decent in D'Antoni's system, he can shoot and he can rebound, he would add some toughness as well. I don't think he'd be a great fit, but I think he'd be a pretty good fit.

Lee is untradeable until he signs an extension or unless you trade him to a place that he wants to sign an extension with. I doubt that's Memphis.

D'Antoni type players.

1. Should be able to run all game.
2. shooter.
3. Can handle the ball in the open court.

Basically, an open court player.

Who are our open court players?
1. DLee
2. Balkman
3. Chandler
4. Nate
5. Crawford
6. JJSkinny
7. Q Rich
8. Mardy

I will consider Dinglebury in that list if he learns that an assist does not have to be him driving all the way to the basket then dumping it off. On second thought, just cut the focker.

Trade the other dead weight for expiring or just let them expire. We have to be strong on this and not waver.

Draft a tall multi-dimensional player in the mold of Diaw/Odom.

The starting five would be...

C-DLee
PF-Gallinari/Anthony Randolph
SF-Balkman
SG-Chandler
PG-Crawford

Bench-Nate, Mardy, JJSkinny, QRich

Don't let Zeddy get any playing time unless ZBo learns to share the ball and Curry loses some weight.

RUN, RUN, RUN.

Posted by TMS:

Lee is untradeable??? he's not exactly gonna be demanding max dollars, there will be teams out there that will want a kid like him on their team, extension or no extension... at the most he's gonna get Boris Diaw level dollars on a contract & that's optimistic IMO... that's not gonna break any team's cap structure.

So teams are going to be lining up to trade for Lee with no guarantee that he'll be there when he becomes unrestricted? What are you going to get back for a role playing rental player?

I will retract my statement somewhat. He's tradeable this summer but as we get closer to next summer, he becomes more and more untradeable without the extension. I'm already on record saying that and I want to stay consistent.

Posted by TMS:

Posted by nyk4ever:

Posted by TMS:

Posted by nyk4ever:

I hate trading Lee but thats not a horrible plan, it definitely gives us some cap flexibility and a draftpick in 2010. Miller is a good player, he'd work well in D'Antoni's system as well.

i don't think B Miller would work great in D'Antoni's system actually, he's more of a halfcourt style player... he's a good passer & can shoot the midrange jumper but he's not exactly fleet of foot & overly athletic... he woulda been a nice complement to Curry/Zach & Steph had we continued w/the feeding the lowpost style of game... i wouldn't mind adding Miller if we could unload Zach but i wouldn't give up the pick to do it.

I don't think the idea is to get Brad to play in D'Antoni's system, it's becuase his contract expires after 2009.

Although, I think Brad Miller would play pretty decent in D'Antoni's system, he can shoot and he can rebound, he would add some toughness as well. I don't think he'd be a great fit, but I think he'd be a pretty good fit.

i would trade the pick to unload Zach & fishlips if we could get back Miller & Artest's expirings... that would give us a ton of cap space over the longterm & a realistic shot to at least be in the bidding for Lebron, CP, Kobe, Bosh, etc. in a couple years & still be able to sign D Lee to an extension... it would also make us a better team next season & we'd have 2 nice expiring contracts to use in a trade for more assets later.

I'm sorry, I gotta ask again. 'Who's Fishlips'?