If we get players like LeBron and Bosh this summer, the need will be for a center who can anchor the defense. I know Bosh might play center and have Gallo at the 4, but it might be more important to have a quality defensive center in the line-up. We've talked about OK4, Biendris, T Chandler, and others, but one option might be Ronny Turiaf. He's not the same big name as some of these other guys, but he's good defensively both man to man and as a shot blocker, very energetic, good mid range shooter, and nice passer we can use in this offense. He also has a reasonable contract at about 4 million per year for the next 3 years. He might be an option because we can start him, or run a quicker lineup and bring him off the bench and play him big minutes down the stretch. Golden State will most definitely put a center on the block this summer because they have Biendris and Turiaf, but want to draft a post presence like Cousins or Monroe in the draft. He's probably one of the nice, cheap options this summer who isn't making 10 million per year on a long term contract, but solves some problems, and we can probably preserve Curry's contract to use elsewhere. Just a thought.

we're not using up cap space trading for Ronnie Turiaf unless we lose out on all the top names in free agency... in which case Lebron won't be here regardless

Gooden is a great option. Not a shotblocker but good defender and rebounder and pretty athletic. Maybe we can sign him to a cheap contract with one of those "unlikely bonuses" or something like that to make it make sense from a financial standpoint for him.

BRIGGS wrote:

Knixkik wrote:Gooden is a great option. Not a shotblocker but good defender and rebounder and pretty athletic. Maybe we can sign him to a cheap contract with one of those "unlikely bonuses" or something like that to make it make sense from a financial standpoint for him.

Drew Gooden is atleast a guy you know who is competitive against elite players and can put up some numbers. He usually gives D Lee a very tough battle. I would have to suspect that he will still command 5mm+ If the Knicks are going to get a quality big--my guess is through the trade of Curry's contract. That's not counting if we sign Bosh as a 4

Right it's as simple as getting the 2 max FAs and using Curry to get the right center for the mix.

The Knicks need a center but the coach has to be on board and agree to play him. Until that happens it doesn't matter who is acquired. I don't expect D'Antoni to play Curry no matter how healthy and in shape he is. The Knicks needs as a team are not the same as the coaches needs for his style/system so I don't anticipate any player with size and ability to be playing center next year.