Following up on that Knicks-Wizards rumor involving the fifth overall pick:

There have been recent conversations between the teams about players, mainly ones the Wizards are interested in on the Knicks roster. But what may come as a surprise is that Wilson Chandler doesn't appear to be the main ingredient here. In fact, from multiple sources with knowledge of the Wizards' strategizing, they're the ones who have inquired about two former Wiz players, Larry Hughes and Jared Jeffries.


The Knicks are all ears.

Washington tried to trade for Hughes (for Mike James and Etan Thomas) during the past season, when he was still with Chicago and they asked about Jeffries before the trade deadline. Both were key members of the 2004-05 Washington team that reached the second round of the playoffs. Hughes and Gilbert Arenas were a strong backcourt and some within the Wizards braintrust feel they missed Jeffries more than they thought they would after he took that mid-level exception offer sheet from Isiah Thomas in 2006. The Wizards feel they have a small window of opportunity with their core of Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison and want to build a strong supporting cast of veterans to make a run.

The Knicks wouldn't mind shedding Hughes' contract, though it has one year left with a team-high $13.6M pricetag. They could consider th at same James/Thomas scenario because both players are also in expiring deals. James ($6.4M) is a shooter (and a Long Islander) whom the Knicks could use and the 6-10 Thomas ($7.3M) provides size, grit and rebounding depth in the frontcourt.

Jeffries, of course, is the big one to move, with $6.4M next season and a critical $6.8M against the salary cap in 2010-11. The Knicks almost moved him to the Kings at the trade deadline and, according to a source, recently were close to something with the Toronto Raptors that fell through when the Raps turned it down.

And, aware that the Wizards aren't that excited about anything they see at No. 5, the Knicks too the opportunity ask about the pick. It may have been suggested that Chandler is the only young asset the team could offer in return that may interest Ernie Grunfeld for the pick, but it was not something the Knicks offered. At this point, it doesn't appear to be anything more than a speculative scenario.

But that five-spot is valuable to the Knicks because, presumably, they would snatch Stephen Curry there before anyone else gets their grubby hands on him. But we're starting to get skeptical here, mainly because of Curry's quick about-face when it comes to workouts. Initially, after his workout with the Knicks, Curry's father said his son was shutting it down. Then within a day it was decided that he will, in fact, participate in more workouts.

Why the sudden change of mind? Did he not get the guarantee from the Knicks he had hoped to get? Perhaps without a guarantee at No. 8, Curry didn't want to give up potential opportunity -- and money -- from interested teams in the top five. So off to Sacramento he went this weekend.

Just bloggin.

As Starberman predicted, UCLA's Jrue Holiday will be back for his second workout with the Knicks on Monday, among a five-player group of second-round/summer league invite types. Instead of Curry, this time Holiday will go up against Miami senior Jack McClinton (6-1, 185). Others in the group include Gonzaga center Josh Heytfelt, Santa Clara center John Bryant and a pair of swingmen in Rodney Alexander (Oklahoma City University) and Lorrenzo Wade (San Diego State).

The second look at Holiday should be noted, because the Knicks were high on the 6-3 freshman, but he had an admittedly underwhelming workout on June 10. You generally bring a kid back to make sure you're ready to pass on him, in case you have to decide. And right now I would venture a guess that Tyreke Evans is ahead of Holiday on the Knicks draft board. Evans is solidly-build, should be able to defend and can play the pick-and-roll real well. One thing the Memphis guard did during his workout on June 15 was prove he can shoot the rock. If Holiday continues to struggle with his stroke and leaves enough doubt, Evans and Curry would be my best bets as favorites at No. 8.

I've consistently touted Curry as the best fit in this draft for the Knicks needs in the system Mike D'Antoni runs. While Evans has serious potential, he's just too ball-dominant. But perhaps as a two-guard, once he learns the philosophies of quick decisions, constant motion and catch-and-shoot mentality, he will fit well.

It is highly unlikely both he and Curry will be there and, of course, very possible neither will be available by the 8th pick. Another reason to give a second look to Holiday. And don't overlook Ty Lawson here. If neither Curry and Evans are there and Holiday continues to underwhelm, Lawson, the true floor general and proven winner who has scored so highly in the statistical analysis of all of the draftees, may be in play.

Ricky Rubio and his camp were reportedly finalizing a buyout agreement with his Spanish team, DKV Joventut, which places in bold letters Rubio's intention to play in the NBA next season. Very interesting development there, as he will be the focal point of some serious debates in the war rooms for Memphis, Oklahoma City and Sacramento.

Much more to come on Monday . . .

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Photo credit: dcprosportsreport.com
Share: E-mail Facebook Digg Buzz up!Delicious Tags:Etan Thomas, Jared Jeffries, Jrue Holiday, Larry Hughes, Mike James, Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry, Ty Lawson, Tyreke Evans, Wilson Chandler, (view all) Posted by Alan Hahn on June 21, 2009 10:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) Comments (2)
Posted by AG | June 21, 2009 23:54 Larru Hughes amd Jarred
http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/blog/2009/06/not_taking_the_fifth_but_perha.html

nothing about flynn here?

Am I the only one who had forgotten that Hughes was on our roster ?

I would not do a Hughes trade for same expiring contracts unless JJSkinny is involved in the trade. They do not have enough ending contracts for Hughes and JJSkinny. The only scenario is a straight-up trade between JJSkinny and Brendan Haywood or Mike James. I would take either trade but would prefer to have Haywood.

Posted by FrenchKnicks:

Am I the only one who had forgotten that Hughes was on our roster ?

The other day I was trying to come up with a hypothetical depth chart... and I blatantly forgot about him.

This team 2009-10 should be renamed to The 2010 Expiring Corpses

Wiz are right, they haven't been the same since JJeff left!

I also forgot Larry Hughes in employed by the New York Knickerbocker basketball club.

Posted by MS:

The hughes trade actually makes sense. Get's the team a little toughness and james can play a little pit. Two smaller type deals that may come in handy at the deadline.

No way anyone takes jefferies.

Seems like the Kings, Raptors and Wizards wanna have him on their teams. We should do everything in our power to help them.

Good point about Curry. If you received a promise from the Knicks and that's where you wanted to go why did you continue to workout for other teams? What, the Currys don't trust Walsh? Are they strapped for cash that $500,000 early in his career is that important.

Bynum wanted to play for the Lakers and didn't workout for any team including those ahead of the Lakers. Chandler did the same when Miami, Philly and Charlotte was surprised he stayed in and wanted to work him out.

Either there was no promise and Curry just lied or he didn't trust Walsh. Interesting either way.

Posted by Pharzeone:

Good point about Curry. If you received a promise from the Knicks and that's where you wanted to go why did you continue to workout for other teams? What, the Currys don't trust Walsh? Are they strapped for cash that $500,000 early in his career is that important.

Bynum wanted to play for the Lakers and didn't workout for any team including those ahead of the Lakers. Chandler did the same when Miami, Philly and Charlotte was surprised he stayed in and wanted to work him out.

Either there was no promise and Curry just lied or he didn't trust Walsh. Interesting either way.

It's not $500,000. The difference in salaries for a rookie draft fourth and eighth will come to about $4.5 million over four years.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9302

Sounds like this is really picking up steam and is likely to be a blockbuster..

from TommyD
http://www.theknicksblog.com/2009/06/22/hahn-knicks-looking-a-blockbuster-with-wiz/

“…The best opportunity may come with the Wizards’ pick at No. 5, though it would come at a very steep price. Multiple sources confirmed that the Knicks have discussed a potential blockbuster trade between the teams that would land the fifth overall pick and allow the Knicks to keep their spot at No. 8. The deal likely would have to include one of the team’s most valuable assets, swingman Wilson Chandler, which would be a difficult decision.

This scenario also might include Larry Hughes going back to Washington in exchange for guard Mike James, a Long Island product, and a big man such as Etan Thomas or Brendan Haywood. All of the players involved have expiring contracts.

The bold move by the Knicks, however, would not be to target Thabeet or even Spanish guard Ricky Rubio. It appears more likely that Davidson’s Stephen Curry or Memphis’ Tyreke Evans are the more coveted prospects.

The Knicks then could use their own pick at No. 8 to land Arizona power forward Jordan Hill, if he still is on the board. If not, there is Duke’s Gerald Henderson or USC’s DeMar DeRozan to consider as potential replacements for Chandler…”

Interesting. And Rubio could very well be there at 5, after what you heard from the blonde haired guy who’s always at Laker games for ESPN.

Haywood makes sense, (not Thomas if they are targeting Hill) as does Mike James and if the Knicks could bring both of them in AND pick 5 and 8 that would be the serious play I was expecting from Walsh. Guess it would be too much to include Jared Jefferies.

Let’s see. We’ll do some digging too, time to head down the Beltway to my old stomping grounds. See you Thursday!

Posted by Pharzeone:

Over four years? If Curry is what the Knicks claim him to be why wouldn't they give him top money after his 3rd year to make sure they lock him up like the Cavs did with Lebron, Miami did with Wade and the Raptors did with Bosh? You don't have to wait until the end of the rookie contract to offer and accept an extension. The Knicks are picking 8th not in the 20s.

[Edited by - pharzeone on 06-23-2009 07:54 AM]

so, if you are Curry's adviser, you tell him to forgo a locked in $4.5M over 4 years and cross your fingers that that your employer is gonna be generous? That makes sense.