Knicks Next Move: Deal or No Deal?

By: Tommy Beer Last Updated: 6/25/08 8:43 AM ET |

As has been discussed in this space many, many times, the Knicks focus has to be on the future. Two years into the future to be exact - as the summer of 2010, also dubbed the 'Summer of LeBron,' promises to feature arguably the greatest collection of free-agent talent ever.

While the Knicks are slowly but surely starting to move in the right direction after ridding themselves of Isiah Thomas and bringing in Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni, they obviously still have a long, long ways to go. Fortunately for Knicks fans, it appears that Walsh understands the number one priority for New York is shedding salary and finding a way to get under the cap by 2010.

Being under the cap by no means guarantees the Knicks will acquire King James or any other player, but it allows them to be players in the game. And this is one game where, if they can play, the have a great shot at winning. All things being equal, New York is a desirable place to live and work. The endorsement dollars alone could significantly supplement a great player's annual income. And according to most accounts, NBA'ers seem to consider it a privilege to be able to play for Coach D'Antoni.

The question then becomes how Walsh will be able to get under the cap within 24 months. Looking at the Knicks current roster, the situation is grim. As it stands now, New York has four players (in non-rookie contracts) whose deals extend past 2010: Zach Randolph (owed $17.3 million in 2010/2011), Jared Jefferies (owed $6.9 million in 10/11), Eddy Curry (owed $11.3 million in 10/11), and Jamal Crawford ($10.1 million in 10/11). That is a total of $45.6 million committed to just four players.

Therefore, if the Knicks hope to have a prayer of offering max-money to a stud in 2010, they need to move at least one of these four. Both Curry and Crawford have early-termination options that they can choose to exercise, but it is unlikely either player would leave all that money on the table.

Thus, Walsh has to start working the phones to see if he can find a taker for one of these contracts. As discussed last week, the ideal situation would be shipping Zach Randolph out of NY. Randolph's game is clearly not suited for new coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo offensive system. Trading Zach would also give Eddy Curry more room to operate in the low post. Last season, Curry never found a comfort zone, as he was constantly competing with Randolph for touches. Furthermore, trading Z-Bo would clear up a starting spot for David Lee, who is more natural fit in Coach Mike D's run-and-gun attack.

Ridding Randolph from the Knicks roster would be a tremendous step in the right direction and would place New York on the path towards financial freedom. So, with this goal in mind, I decided to pour over the rosters and salaries of each NBA team and come up with a number of possible trade options. (All trades listed below work under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement.)

Again, the objective is to clear cap space. Thus, the Knicks may have to take two steps back in order to take one LeBron James-sized step forward.

Without further adieu, let's dig in.

Knicks send Zach Randolph and Renaldo Balkman to the
Cavs for Ben Wallace
This deal would work for the Knicks because Wallace has only two years left on his contract, meaning the Knicks would clear $14 million off the books once Big Ben's deal expired after the 2010 season. On the other hand, the Cavs would be a getting a low-post presence that would draw double-teams in the post, hopefully clearing some space for LeBron to operate. Clearly, the Cavs would get a talent upgrade, as Wallace's game has eroded rapidly since landing a huge contract from Chicago. Randolph's defense is a certainly a liability, but the problem in Cleveland has not been defense, it has been a stunningly stagnant offense. Yes, Z-Bo comes with some baggage, but he also a 20/10 threat every time he steps on the court. Danny Ferry would be taking a big risk, but Randolph does fit the Cavs needs. Cleveland might ask the Knicks to throw in their number one pick (#6 overall), but Walsh would prefer to include Balkman.

Knicks send David Lee, Wilson Chandler, Zach Randolph, Malik Rose and the #6 pick
To Denver for Carmelo Anthony and Kenyon Martin
If the Knicks brass is nervous that they won't be able to land a stud via free-agency in 2010, they could take a shot at landing one this summer. While it remains unlikely the Nuggets would ever seriously consider moving 'Melo, if you are Donnie Walsh you have to throw an offer out there. In this proposed deal, the Knicks would tie up their cap room well into the future, but you cross your fingers and hope that Anthony (who is as talented as any player in the NBA), is able to settle down and blossom in New York. You assume Denver could get a better package if they were serious about shipping out Anthony. But the Knicks could offer to send the emerging Lee (great contract and many admirers around the league); Chandler, who has some potential at the small forward position; Randolph (Nuggets VP of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien played a role in drafting Randolph and is a fan of his game); Malik Rose's expiring contract; and their first-rounder. In return, New York would be taking Keyon Martin's bloated contract off the Nuggets books. Although he played well at times last season, Martin has a horrible contract ($46.1 million remaining over three years) that the Nuggets would love to get rid of. The Knicks would also certainly be willing to include Curry or Crawford in the deal if Denver would prefer either player over Z-Bo. Nonetheless, Denver would likely have to receive an offer that would knock their block off to even pick up the phone, and this likely wouldn't be enough

Knicks send Zach Randolph and their first-round pick
To the Bulls for Larry Hughes and Joakim Noah
Similar to the deal with Cleveland, the Knicks would take on Larry Hughes' terrible contract simply because it expires one year earlier than Randolph's. While the Bulls have a glut of big forwards, they don't have anyone who can put up 20 points a night. In fact, they haven't had anybody to feed in the post since they traded away Eddy Curry. If they acquired the #6 pick from the Knicks, it would give them two selections in the first half of the lottery. Assuming they take Derrick Rose at #1, that would be another young piece they could add to the mix. The question is whether or not they would want Zach Randolph around their kids….

Knicks send Z-Bo, Renaldo Balkman, and their 2009 first-round pick
To Detroit for Rasheed Wallace and Amir Johnson
There have been some rumors making the rounds that suggest Joe Dumars could be willing to the roll the dice and bring Randolph back to the state where he starred as a collegian. The Knicks would love it, as Rasheed has just one more year left on his deal and Johnson's contract expires after the 2010 season. Although Dumars and the Pistons are clearly frustrated with their inability to advance past the Conference Finals, it is very unlikely a shrewd GM like Dumars would risk taking on Randolph and his contract. Not much doing here…

Knicks send Zach Randolph, Malik Rose, and their 2009 first-round pick
To the Pacers for Jermaine O'Neal
Although the Pacers wouldn't mind moving JO, many of the rumors attached to O'Neal have the Pacers getting very little in return. While O'Neal has been decimated by injuries the last few seasons, he is still a talented big man who can score with his back to the basket. And despite being owed over $40 million, he has just two years left on his current pact. This is ideal for New York – they invest two years in O'Neal and if he bounces back and is able to stay healthy and play at an elite level, then they will have the opportunity to re-sign him. If he continues to regress and remains injured, then they let him walk and clear out all that cap space in 2010. However, there are a few major stumbling blocks in this deal. First, Walsh would have to pull off a blockbuster with his former team, which would be tricky. Also, although Z-Bo is originally from Indiana, the Pacers have had to deal with far too many off-the-court problems recently and would be very hesitant to trade for Randolph and his checkered past. In addition, the Pacers are trying to rebuild themselves and would prefer not to commit all that cash and further lock up their cap.

Knicks send Zach Randolph
To Milwaukee for Bobby Simmons and Dan Gadzuric
This deal was apparently very close to being consummated at the trade deadline last February, but Bucks owner Herb Kohl balked. This makes a lot of sense for Milwaukee, as they rid themselves of two of ugly contracts, but while the Knicks would clear a good amount of cap space in 2010, the benefits would be muted. Bobby Simmons is owed $20.5 million over the next two seasons, which New York can swallow. However, it is the contract of Dan Gadzuric that is the issue. The kicker is the $7.3 million that Gadzuric is owed for the 2010/2011 season. And once you take on that contract, it becomes impossible to move and would cut into the 2010 free-agent budget.

Knicks send Zach Randolph and their first-round pick (#6)
To Philadelphia for Reggie Evans and the Sixers first-rounder (#16)
I discussed this trade in depth a earlier this month. While it makes a lot of sense for the Sixers (addresses a key need at PF and they can take on the extra money because they are under the cap), it would be a dubious move for New York. Much like the Milwaukee deal, the Knicks get rid of Randolph but are forced to take on a bad contract that extends in 2011 – Evans is due to earn $5.1 in the last year of his deal.

Knicks send David Lee and Malik Rose
To Memphis for the Grizzlies first-round pick (#5) and Brian Cardinal
This trade rumor has picked up some steam over the last few days. The money doesn't match up in this deal, but Memphis is far enough under the cap that they can take on extra salary. This is a very interesting proposition. Apparently the Grizz want Kevin Love and if he is off the board then they will look to wheel and deal. Taking on Cardinal's awful contract (2 years and roughly $13 million) wouldn't be a problem for NY, as his deal expires in time. The predicament would be parting with David Lee. Lee is the type of hard-nosed player the Knicks need to build around, not trade away. However, Lee will up for a extension and a significant raise next summer. Thus, if Walsh inks him to a long-term lucrative contract, that money would eat into the 2010 cap room. Also, if the Knicks controlled the #5 and #6 picks in the draft, that could give them a few interesting options; including possibly trading up to #3 and grabbing O.J. Mayo. If Memphis did come knocking, Walsh would have to listen.

Knicks send Stephon Marbury and #6 pick
To Miami for Shawn Marion
Rumblings regarding a Marbury/Marion swap have cropped up within the last 24 hours, after Marion decided not to opt-out of the final year of his contract. However, this deal makes no sense Miami. First off, the salaries don't match up (Starbury makes $3 million more than Matrix), but more than that there is just no reason for the HEAT to make this move. Yes, Miami will be hesitant to give Marion the $60 million dollar extension he will be looking for next season, but holding onto Matrix gives them way more options than adding Marbury's dead weight. If the HEAT are looking to make a move at next season's trade deadline, Marion would obviously fetch far more on the open market than Stephon. And Miami could also use Marion in a sign-and-trade next summer to acquire a superstar more to their liking. Moreover, you think Pat Riley wants to bring Stephon Marbury in to hang around Michael Beasley and Dwyane Wade? Forget about it.

Posted by nyk4ever:

Posted by djsunyc:

does this tommy beer guy get paid to write that?

LOL I was thinking the samet hing.

I think only 2 trades have a chance of happening. The Cavs one and the Memphis one.

Posted by nyk4ever:

I'd do that Marion deal as long as we did that Lee to Memphis deal because we'd need a PG. Westbrook + Marion would be a pretty good offseason if you ask me.

Posted by Uptown:

Posted by nyk4ever:

I'd do that Marion deal as long as we did that Lee to Memphis deal because we'd need a PG. Westbrook + Marion would be a pretty good offseason if you ask me.

I would do that deal aswell and would follow it up with Zach to Cleveland or Detroit for either of the Wallace's.

Posted by TMS:

CLE will not want Zach, trust me... it would make a ton more sense for them to acquire someone who doesn't come w/the character issues if indeed they're even looking for another frontcourt player... someone like JO for instance... a backcourt mate for Lebron like Baron D. would make even more sense... they're lacking another perimeter scoring threat & could use an upgrade at the PG position.

Posted by izybx:

Posted by TMS:

CLE will not want Zach, trust me... it would make a ton more sense for them to acquire someone who doesn't come w/the character issues if indeed they're even looking for another frontcourt player... someone like JO for instance... a backcourt mate for Lebron like Baron D. would make even more sense... they're lacking another perimeter scoring threat & could use an upgrade at the PG position.

JO has already been traded. BWallace isnt exactly gold either, his contract is bloated and he barely produces anymore. I think Zach for Ben is a fair trade.