DRAFT

(1) Cash and the worse of the two 2010 2nd rounders to move up and take Sylven Landesberg. I like Landesberg and it appears he may declare for the draft. I think he's done with Virginia (apparently college just wasn't for him). That's ashame but regardless the kid can ball, I can tell you that. College isn't for everyone but that in no way makes him a criminal..His stock is way down now after the suspension however. It makes him the perfect guy for us to go after given our situation -- a potential star that will be available late in all likelyhood. I think this kid would've been a lottery pick next year or the year after. Easily. He's was outstanding his freshman year and he got even better this season (esp. his outside shooting). I just read a report where some scout offered up his bogus opinion where he stated that he's destined for the 2nd round and/or the D-League. Lol..I don't see that at all. I think this kid's a very advanced scorer already with a budding all-around game at 6'6". I think he's a star in the making. Even with Chandler already in place, Landesberg should be our #1 target in this draft. I'd guarantee Landesberg a 1st round pick, the highest one I could get my hands on. My 2nd choice for a wing in this draft (not necessarily my first pick if I can't get Landesberg): Quincy Pondexter.

(2) Cash and a future 2 to move up into the late first round and draft either Sherron Collins or Greivis Vasquez.

(3) With the higher 2 we still have left, take the best available big that's still on the board OR BETTER YET package that 2 & cash to move up enough to get the big they really covet - maybe Jarvis Varnado.

* It'll probably take a 2nd round pick along with $3 million a pop to execute these move-ups (I believe we parted with a future 2 in addition to the cash to get Douglas). There are a few teams in the lower part of the first round (some of which have multiple picks) that should be willing to trade a low 1 in the right deal.. Granted it sounds like a lot to ask of Dolan (I'm calling for approx. $9 million to be left at Donnie's disposal to allocate toward the draft here) but I just feel (hopefully most of you do as well) that Dolan has been raking it in for years on our backs (the Garden continues to sell out on a nightly basis despite the losing) and now's the time to strike and go all in (maximize the hell out of this draft AND go get the big FAs). Dolan needs to be convinced it'll be money well spent -- there's not one Isiah Thomas blunder move here - they're all sure things: LeBron, Bosh and about $9 mil. in cash to get 3 solid young rotation players in this draft to build a complete team with.. Dolan needs to give us long-time suffering fans (fans who have continued to support his team despite it being a monumentally sub-par product for years) a winner. No way can I accept playing anything cheap this summer on any front. Besides, this guy just saved a ton of money with the Mobley situation. I want that money pumped back into the team not in Dolan's bank account.

We'd address 3 key areas: we'd be adding an athletic scoring 6'6" wing with star potential imho, an upgrade at the point AND the best shot-blocker in the history of college basketball.

THE REST OF THE OFF-SEASON

(1) Add 2 stars through FA with the $30+ million in cap room we just cleared - LeBron & Bosh.

(2) Add 4 solid summer league invitees - guys with potential that fill needs. If we can't get Varnado in this draft, I like U-Conn's Gavin Edwards for that type of role on the ultra cheap. And I like Jon Diebler for summer ball as well if he doesn't get drafted. Check him out tonight at 7 on channel 2. As of right now Diebler isn't on any draft radar but if Ohio State continues to win and he continues to shine, he soon will be. Best shooter in the country imo at 6'6"...6'11" C Dwayne Jones from the NBDL's Austin Toros doesn't look overly skilled but he is a rebounding force (he's leading the D-League in double-doubles & rebounding at over 16 a game). If we're successful assembling all the talent I'm calling for here, I think we could get away with carrying a guy like Jones and just send him out there to do the dirty work inside and rebound the ball. He'd be a nice complement to play alongside all that talent and he'd come dirt cheap (you can't possibly have a star at every position, nor do you need it if you set things up properly)... I count 11 games to go. I'd waive either Eddie House or Sergio Rodriguez immediately and call up Dwayne Jones & PG Curtis Jerrells for the rest of the year on a tryout basis. At least gimmie one of these guys right now Donnie, we have the room!

Rotation:

1 - Douglas, Collins or Vasquez -- maybe even Curtis Jerrells provided we got our head out of our ass and signed this kid to a ten day contract right now
2 - Chandler, Landesberg or Pondexter, Jon Diebler, Giddens?
3 - LeBron, Gallinari, Walker, Landesberg or Pondexter, Diebler
4 - Bosh, Varnado or Gavin Edwards, Gallo
5 - Dwayne Jones, Bosh, Varnado or Gavin Edwards, Curry edit: hopefully Curry's bought out

This would be my blueprint going in until I was forced to change it. If we were somehow able to execute every move here, it'd make for one deep rotation with a ton of versatility and interchangeability. Most importantly, I think it may be a solid enough plan and enough of an overall upgrade to entice both LeBron & Bosh to sign here and forgo a 6th year (esp. if they each knew the other was prepared to come aboard with them along with being given a detailed explanation by whoever it may concern on how much endorsement money would potentially come their way once they turned this team into a perennial winner right away in year 1). It even might be enough quality depth to afford us the luxury to eventually shop Chandler and/or Gallo, possibly for an even better upgrade at the 5 spot (with LeBron & Bosh anchoring the whole thing & enough overall depth in place now, maybe we use Chandler & Gallo as bait to pull off a Pau Gasol type trade like the one the Lakers did a couple of years ago --- you figure any package starting with Chandler, Gallo or BOTH is a hell of a lot better than the package the Lakers gave up to get Gasol)...

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BTW, welcome aboard numero uno!

knicks1248 wrote: Pg- Rubio- Douglas
Sg- T-Mac - Walker - Douglas
Sf - Lebron ---- Dont matter who backs him up
Pf - Gallo - Bender
C- Amare - Curry

Rubio is so far fetch, benders is finish and there gonna off curry this summer through S&T or buy out.

Good call. I forgot about that. That's supposedly the little mystery chip Donnie has up his sleeve to free up a little more cap room.

-Sign LeBron to a max contract
-Trade Chandler for a 1st rounder saving 3 mil
-Resign Lee to a contract that pays 10-11 mil a year
-Sign Manu to a contract that pays 8 mil a year
-Re-sign McGrady to the vet minimum
-Trade Curry and 3 mil for Okafor and New Orleans 2010 1st rounder and a future 1st rounder (either 2012 or 2013)
-Trade the two second rounders and 3 mil for a 1st rounder

Next years lineup:

Douglas
Manu
LeBron
Lee
Okafor

Bench: Gallo, McGrady, 1st rounder, 1st rounder, 1st rounder, minimum vet, minimum vet

That team wins a championship next year.

i like ur plan except there's no way you're getting those picks back from NO for Eddy Curry & cash... just not gonna happen... unless of course Donnie Walsh takes over the New Orleans franchise this summer.

i would add drafting Greivis Vazquez to your list... he would make a perfect successor to Manu's role after a year or 2 at the NBA level & who better to learn from to play that role but the manu himself? would also look to draft Jarvis Varnado to play that Marcus Camby type role off the bench.

also think it's gonna take more than just a veteran's minimum to sign T-Mac but obviously if u can get him at that price it's a no brainer.

Nate
Hill
Jeffries
Darko
Fashenko
Balkman
Almond
Roberson
Nichols

Coach Lord Isiah Thomas.

...and no, the joke will NEVER get old.

Sign Lebron ($17mm max)
resign Lee 6 years ($74mm) starting at 9.5mm (he's going to get offers starting at $12mm)
Sign Tyrus Thomas 5 years $47mm (starting at $8mm)

starters:
Douglas
Lebron
Gallo
Lee
Tyrus
bench: Chandler, Walker, Giddens

MDA is most comfortable playing smaller guys. That starting lineup is a big athletic skilled bunch of guys and there is some solid defense there as well. The bench is excelled with 3 atlhetic wings. Chandler would get 30+ minutes off the bench and could literally come in for anyone in that lineup. Thats an elite team that will compete for a title for years IMO

The x-factor is Eddy. He either shows up hoping to salvage a career or he's a nice expiring contract we can use.

Also the team has a nice mix of players who stuck through some crappy times. I will be nice to see Lee, Gallo, Chandler and even Douglas on a team winning 60 games

umynot wrote:

Finestrg wrote:

knicks1248 wrote: Pg- Rubio- Douglas
Sg- T-Mac - Walker - Douglas
Sf - Lebron ---- Dont matter who backs him up
Pf - Gallo - Bender
C- Amare - Curry

Rubio is so far fetch, benders is finish and there gonna off curry this summer through S&T or buy out.

Good call. I forgot about that. That's supposedly the little mystery chip Donnie has up his sleeve to free up a little more cap room.

Hope him and Khan can figure something out.....

I can't even see curry wanting to be here next year, he would actual be a even bigger loser if he doesn't ask for a buy out or trade. He's had very little success here, and his luck has been almost creepy and scary, like he needs to take a bath in Garlic and holy water..