Deals between wayward franchises are always interesting because of the tantalizing prospect that one of them might actually win a trade. As a result, Thursday's sign-and-trade deal between the Knicks and Warriors raised hopes in both sides. The terms sent David Lee to Golden State on a six-year, $80 million contract, with the Knicks getting back Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, Kelenna Azubuike and a 2011 second-round pick.

In this case, I think it's the forlorn Warriors who got the short end of the stick. New York executed a perfect backup plan after its effort to get two superstar free agents fell one man short. The Knicks picked up a good young player and two reasonable role players, and basically get a do-over on the free-agent strategy next summer, when Carmelo Anthony (among others) could be on the market.

Obviously, the drawback is that it costs New York its best player from a season ago, but it's inconceivable that Lee and Amare Stoudemire could coexist in the same frontcourt, and of the two I'd much rather have Stoudemire -- they're similar offensively but Stoudemire is much better on defense.

This is damning with faint praise, of course -- Stoudemire is mediocre at best as a defender. Lee, however, is just flat-out awful.

And that's what makes this deal so baffling for Golden State. Already operating as almost a pure offensive outfit that showed little to no interest in defense (the Warriors were 29th in defensive efficiency a season ago), the Warriors have now committed six years and $80 million to one of the worst frontcourt defenders in the game.

Additionally, they sent out their two best defensive players in Randolph and Turiaf to complete the deal. Randolph has been inconsistent, but he's only 20 years old and his PER numbers from his first two seasons show him to already be a solid starter. Both players are accomplished shot-blockers, so between adding those two and losing Lee the Knicks -- who ranked 29th and 30th in blocks the past two seasons -- should move into the top half of the league in rejections.

Additionally, they sent out their two best defensive players in Randolph and Turiaf to complete the deal. Randolph has been inconsistent, but he's only 20 years old and his PER numbers from his first two seasons show him to already be a solid starter. Both players are accomplished shot-blockers, so between adding those two and losing Lee the Knicks -- who ranked 29th and 30th in blocks the past two seasons -- should move into the top half of the league in rejections.

Defensive additions:

Toney Douglas - defensive player of the year - ACC his senior year
Jerome Jordan - 3x defensive first string Center in his conference
Amar'e - better defensively than Lee
Anthony Randolph -outstanding blocks and runs the court extremely well. Plays hard at both ends.
Turiaf - 1.4 blocks/game career avg; playing 19 min/game
Felton - 1.4 steals/game career avg.

Markji wrote:

Additionally, they sent out their two best defensive players in Randolph and Turiaf to complete the deal. Randolph has been inconsistent, but he's only 20 years old and his PER numbers from his first two seasons show him to already be a solid starter. Both players are accomplished shot-blockers, so between adding those two and losing Lee the Knicks -- who ranked 29th and 30th in blocks the past two seasons -- should move into the top half of the league in rejections.

We are going to be a much better defensive team this year. Walsh has been adding defensive players who can also play offense.

Defensive additions:

Toney Douglas - defensive player of the year - ACC his senior year
Jerome Jordan - 3x defensive first string Center in his conference
Amar'e - better defensively than Lee
Anthony Randolph -outstanding blocks and runs the court extremely well. Plays hard at both ends.
Turiaf - 1.4 blocks/game career avg; playing 19 min/game
Felton - 1.4 steals/game career avg.

I've been harsh on DW for the 2010 plan but I think this trade that he executed was outstanding