Let's say we strike out on the Melo situation. We have just finished out the season slightly above .500 and having won a couple playoff games. Amare had a great year and both Gallo and AR showed a lot of promise. We will say AR averaged 13 pts, 8 rebs, and 2 blocks in 28 mins per, and Gallo averaged 19 ppg and improved all of his other numbers as well. By all accounts we had a very successful season.

Being under the cap, we decide to sign Tony Parker, probably the second best player on the market who is obtainable, and agree to a sign-and-trade of Felton and cash or something for Parker. The contract is a 4-year $50 mil contract that expires the same year as Amare's deal. First of all, is this a good move? We will say Felton had a good year as well, averaging 14 and 8 but still isn't an all-star caliber PG. Parker is a proven winner and has come off a very good year. People can say he is past his prime but i don't buy that. He is 28. He is still an all-star caliber PG for the next 3-4 years or more, given how PGs seems to play at a high level late into their careers more-so than wing players.

So we have a roster that includes Amare and Parker, both all-stars, and AR and Gallo, both players that have convinced us they are on the brink of stardom. We still have cap space of more than the mid-level for a SG such as Crawford or Richardson. Do we sign one of them for 7-8 mil per year or try to find a cheaper option at SG?

Given this situation, i guess my main question is, would this be a strong enough team (with minor upgrades along the way) to compete for a championship in the next year or two if AR and Gallo are both showing significant progress? The window may not be open for long, but i still feel it would be through the duration of Amare and Parker's contracts. Meaning Gallo and AR would have to get their acts together now and we would have about 3 or 4 years to compete for a championship. So is this a good move, or is it a waste for us? Also, let's say Chris Paul and D Williams aren't on the market either, so taking a chance on them is a big risk as well.

Also, for some of you who are against dealing all of our young talent for Melo, would you prefer to have a roster that includes Melo with Stoudemire, or one that has no Melo, but Parker and both young guys as well to play alongside Stoudemire?

I was just interested to see what the perspective of Parker was at this point, seeing how he seems like the most likely star signing going into next season. He seems content going into free agency and seems to really wants New York. Thoughts?

For us to be a legit threat, in addition to having Gallo and AR progress, we need a legit 5. If we don't have it on the team already, I'd much rather go after that in next summer's FA season. Felton is far more proven than Timo or Turiaf, so I think that's a more likely outcome.

Knixkik wrote:Since things are a little slow this time of year until training camp starts, i figured i would give a hypothetical situation.

Let's say we strike out on the Melo situation. We have just finished out the season slightly above .500 and having won a couple playoff games. Amare had a great year and both Gallo and AR showed a lot of promise. We will say AR averaged 13 pts, 8 rebs, and 2 blocks in 28 mins per, and Gallo averaged 19 ppg and improved all of his other numbers as well. By all accounts we had a very successful season.

Being under the cap, we decide to sign Tony Parker, probably the second best player on the market who is obtainable, and agree to a sign-and-trade of Felton and cash or something for Parker. The contract is a 4-year $50 mil contract that expires the same year as Amare's deal. First of all, is this a good move? We will say Felton had a good year as well, averaging 14 and 8 but still isn't an all-star caliber PG. Parker is a proven winner and has come off a very good year. People can say he is past his prime but i don't buy that. He is 28. He is still an all-star caliber PG for the next 3-4 years or more, given how PGs seems to play at a high level late into their careers more-so than wing players.

So we have a roster that includes Amare and Parker, both all-stars, and AR and Gallo, both players that have convinced us they are on the brink of stardom. We still have cap space of more than the mid-level for a SG such as Crawford or Richardson. Do we sign one of them for 7-8 mil per year or try to find a cheaper option at SG?

Given this situation, i guess my main question is, would this be a strong enough team (with minor upgrades along the way) to compete for a championship in the next year or two if AR and Gallo are both showing significant progress? The window may not be open for long, but i still feel it would be through the duration of Amare and Parker's contracts. Meaning Gallo and AR would have to get their acts together now and we would have about 3 or 4 years to compete for a championship. So is this a good move, or is it a waste for us? Also, let's say Chris Paul and D Williams aren't on the market either, so taking a chance on them is a big risk as well.

Also, for some of you who are against dealing all of our young talent for Melo, would you prefer to have a roster that includes Melo with Stoudemire, or one that has no Melo, but Parker and both young guys as well to play alongside Stoudemire?

I was just interested to see what the perspective of Parker was at this point, seeing how he seems like the most likely star signing going into next season. He seems content going into free agency and seems to really wants New York. Thoughts?

Knix---my main goal in the first half of the season is to win as many games as possible + to see where we are. IF I feel that the team has major components in place--I would look to try to improve the team at the deadline for the right player to see if we can really give it a serious go in the playoffs this year. To me first and foremost--this is no longer rebuilding--I want to win NOW and if we get a sense that we can--all attack mode to get better even if that means no fa this year. If it doesnt look as good or some pieces look out of place--I might be more in the mode of collecting #1 picks again for a couple of players. So lets sit back and see what is what. It might end up taking the whole season to see what we have--with no moves possible at the dl.