I think its pretty clear we are at least going to try to acquire a legitimate center this offseason either through the draft, free agency, or the trade market. Personally I think the draft is the best way to get a big man this year because it looks like it is shaping up to be a big man draft, much like last year was a PG draft. There are a ton of big men coming out, just to name a few there is Demarcus Cousins, Derrick Favors, Ed Davis, Greg Monroe, Hassan Whiteside, Cole Aldrich, Dontas Montejuinas, Solomon Alabi, and Larry Sanders. There are a bunch of other young promising bigs coming out that I didnt mention (like that guy Orton from Kentucky that the people over at theknicksblog.com seem to like). There are some FA's such as Camby (I don't really know any others), and there is always the possibility of a trade (but let's be realistic, we aren't getting dwight howard or brook lopez so players like those arent even in the discussion). I know DW has said he will build through Free Agency but that could always change if he falls in love with someone in the draft. So if you were DW, how would you go about acquiring the next franchise center for the New York Knicks?
If we keep Lee at PF, I really like Hassan Whiteside at center. He is a legit 7 ft tall, very athletic, a very good shot blocker (I think he led the nation this year in blocks), has a average to above average jumpshot with some range on it (there is a youtube clip with him hitting in game three pointers), and he appears to have a very versatile game (or at least the potential to have a very versatile game). Right now he is ranked in the range of 10-20 in most mocks, but there is no way I can see him falling all the way to 20 after the scouts and GM's see his combine numbers and get to see him play more in person. In a way he is a safe pick. At the very least, he will be able to block shots and defend the rim at a high level in the NBA. But if he reaches his full potential, he could be one of the best (if not the best) centers in the league. Don't take this out of context and say that I think Hassan Whiteside is the next Hakeem, but I do think that his style of play COULD resemble Hakeem's because of the versatility Whiteside could one day have. I don't think he will ever come close to Hakeem's post offense/sky hook/dream shake but if he is even half of that he is still a damn good player. Again, I am not saying that Whiteside's potential is Hakeem, I am saying they play a similar style (like saying that Jordan Hill was comparable to Amare when the knicks drafted him). Then again, Whiteside could turn out to be the next Andray Blatche, the jack of all trades, but the master of none. He could just be average at everything and never excel at one facet of the game which would take him to the next level. Realistically, 5-7 years from now, I see Hassan Whiteside as a 7'0 260lb center averaging 16 ppg (%50FG and %70FT), 11 rpg, and 2-3 bpg. He may not have 16 ppg ability, but playing next to Lee (a superb passer) and hopefully a max type player in Dantoni's system should allow him to achieve numbers around those.
I also know a few people on this board are fond of some other players in this draft, but if we are going to draft a center in the first round, we need a draft pick in the first round. If we score big and sign Lebron, maybe we can work out a trade with Curry where we will take back some extra money next year in return for a high pick this year. If the Hornets are planning to keep both Paul and Collison, they are going to need to free up some money (its pretty well documented that they are having financial issues). Maybe a Curry and Wilson package for Posey (contract runs one more year than curry) and Songalia (expires with curry) and their #1 pick this year might be a viable option. Or maybe we can talk to the Wizards and offer up a package similar to Wilson, Giddens, and a future #1 for Blatche and their #1 pick this year. The Wizards almost traded their pick for Wilson last year, so hopefully not much has changed in their eyes. When its all said and done, if we are going to acquire a draft pick this year, its going to be because DW absolutely fell in love with a player and he thought that player is a perfect fit for the Knicks. Also, DW isn't going to make the trade for a pick unless he is %100 sure his guy will be there when the knicks are on the clock. So no matter what, the price we would pay for a pick is going to be pricey and probably will cost us a future 1st but hopefully by that time, we will be so good it won't even matter.
Also, when I was looking at the Hornets trade idea I had a crazy thought for the ultimate starphuch which I thought would be worth mentioning here. If the Hornets are set on Collison as their PG of the future and want to get rid of CP3, they would probably want cap relief and picks in return. If that is what they want, the Knicks could offer one of the best packages. Something like Curry, Harrington, Duhon, and some future firsts for CP3 and Okafor could be something DW looks into if the Hornets say CP3 isnt in their future plans. Again, this is just a crazy trade idea.
So how do you think DW will go about adding the next franchise center and who will it be?
My vote is drafting Hassan Whiteside, and based off my track record, he will probably be the biggest bust of all time just because I like him.
