Posted by 30andOverClub:

Watched it as well and I agree. He definitely has an NBA-ready boyd, great handle, can finish at the rim, and made some excellent passes. Between guys like Warren, Tyreke Evans, Lawson, who are all currently slated to be late lottery, I'm feeling better and better about getting a great rotation player even if we sneak into the playoffs.

Strong body--he's the most explosive scorer that I have seen as a freshmen but he is hidden behind Griffin. I don't know why they have Holiday and Derozen over him--he's been better than those guys all year. He gets a little out of control but he's going to be a good NBA player. He would be good in this style of play. I'm not big on Lawson for the Knicks with respect to Nate---he's a good player but we cant carry 2 guys that size[.. Evans reminds me of a slightly smaller Steven Jackson. The Knicks will[I should say should] get a good player if they stay out of the 6-10 range--they cant draft there. I would advise they stick to an American player with an athletic strong body this year. We cant take another soft body athlete after Gallinari.


My main guy is Mullens where we are[or should be]. I know he needs 2 years but I can live with that. I think that if we have any shot at him--we should pick him . I know he also isnt the best player for this style of play but I'm looking to the future with this guy. He's going to be a real good player in the league down the line. He has legs like David Lee and he's 7-1 with an excellent frame and good agility for his size. I cant see us passing on an athletic 7-1 275 pound player. You're still going to need a guy like that if you ultimately want to compete at the absolute top. Too many good teams have big C--we need to carry 1. At the end of the day we still have Nate Chandler Duhon who take up a lot of guard time. Mullens not likely to be there but if he is--just pick him.

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 02-22-2009 12:41 AM]

Posted by 30andOverClub:

I'm just working under MY assumption that neither Nate nor Duhon will be here past 2010. Mainly because, despite their performance, and really because of it, the Knicks will be looking for cheaper options to replace them. Therefore, we shouldn't discount drafting a guard. Anyway, that's not really the point of the thread, totally off-topic.

BRIGGS, do you have any thoughts about Cole Aldrich? According to Draft Express, he's not projected to come out this year, but he's strung together at least 3 big games. However, I've only seen one game of his. Might he project well into D'Antoni's system in your opinion?

The three C I like in this draft--well I don't know if you can call Jordan Hill a true 5 but he could play there on this team---Hill Thabeet and Mullens. Mullens projects well--he's a unique player and that's what I look for. He's going to be a good offensive C in the nBA. Were not sniffing Thabeet or Hill but we have a small chance at Mullens. In fact I'd be willing to give up a lottery protected 1 in 2012 or spend 3mm$ of Dolan's money if I could move up to 7-8 or so to get him. I just want to get what I believe is a high quality prospect at the 5--I think it's important for team building. I think you get Mullens this year 7-10--next year he's top 2. You get him at a discount this year. I don't like Aldrich for this team although I can see a team in the NBA taking him pretty high.

Posted by 30andOverClub:

Thanks for the insight, BRIGGS. I agree that I hope we move up in the draft. I also think that we have a number of assets to do so:

1. As you said, Dolan's money. It's why I wouldn't mind so much if Walsh can get Marbury to relent on enough money to buy him out. If Marbury gives back $3MM, which then saves another $3MM against the luxury tax (right?), then when the draft rolls around, it will be much easier for Walsh to ask Dolan for money to move up in the draft, buy a late pick, or both.

2. Wilcox's expiring. I THINK we can trade this before the draft to a team to give them immediate cap relief.

3. Nate's or Lee's rights. Again, I THINK we can trade them before the draft.

4. Mobley's expiring contract. This should be insured and, I would think, akin to Lafrentz's contract which was supposedly much sought after this trading deadline.

5. Any of the other $40MM or so that we have in expirings for next year.

I think we may need to invest money at the draft anyway because of the back end of the roster--i.e the bench will need to be replenished. There will be teams wanting the money this year. I don't know about Marbury giving in 3mm but even 1mm saves 2--at this point 2mm is better than nothing.

Posted by 30andOverClub:

Thanks for the insight, BRIGGS. I agree that I hope we move up in the draft. I also think that we have a number of assets to do so:

1. As you said, Dolan's money. It's why I wouldn't mind so much if Walsh can get Marbury to relent on enough money to buy him out. If Marbury gives back $3MM, which then saves another $3MM against the luxury tax (right?), then when the draft rolls around, it will be much easier for Walsh to ask Dolan for money to move up in the draft, buy a late pick, or both.

2. Wilcox's expiring. I THINK we can trade this before the draft to a team to give them immediate cap relief.

3. Nate's or Lee's rights. Again, I THINK we can trade them before the draft.

4. Mobley's expiring contract. This should be insured and, I would think, akin to Lafrentz's contract which was supposedly much sought after this trading deadline.

5. Any of the other $40MM or so that we have in expirings for next year.

We are past the deadline and Wilcox can no longer be traded - he is a free agent
Nate and Lee can't be traded until after July 1st -- which means they can't be traded for picks on draft night
Mobley's deal could be attractive since insurance pays something like 80% of it. So you could take back a $9M player or pick and the other team only pays 20% of $9M to Mobley (could be attractive to some folks). This could be particularly important if we try to sign and trade Nate or Lee (basically offsetting some of the cost the new team would have to pay in year 1.

The other $40M in expirings will probably carry more weight at next years trade deadline -- it's possible we could get a super star with these assets if a team knows they will lose the player in free agency.

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by 30andOverClub:

Thanks for the insight, BRIGGS. I agree that I hope we move up in the draft. I also think that we have a number of assets to do so:

1. As you said, Dolan's money. It's why I wouldn't mind so much if Walsh can get Marbury to relent on enough money to buy him out. If Marbury gives back $3MM, which then saves another $3MM against the luxury tax (right?), then when the draft rolls around, it will be much easier for Walsh to ask Dolan for money to move up in the draft, buy a late pick, or both.

2. Wilcox's expiring. I THINK we can trade this before the draft to a team to give them immediate cap relief.

3. Nate's or Lee's rights. Again, I THINK we can trade them before the draft.

4. Mobley's expiring contract. This should be insured and, I would think, akin to Lafrentz's contract which was supposedly much sought after this trading deadline.

5. Any of the other $40MM or so that we have in expirings for next year.

I think we may need to invest money at the draft anyway because of the back end of the roster--i.e the bench will need to be replenished. There will be teams wanting the money this year. I don't know about Marbury giving in 3mm but even 1mm saves 2--at this point 2mm is better than nothing.

That's going to create salary cap issues galore in 2010 if we buy more picks. Maybe we can buy picks and use that to get rid of Jeffries.