Now that everyone gave their expert opinion, especially BigRedJackass this is something I proposed that may not be reality but will help this team become a future championship contender.
It's amazing how everyone is so content on the Knicks being a 7th or 8th Seed and get knocked out of the first round, but at least Dolan gets to make some extra bucks in his pocket.
I'm not saying that the Knicks will get knocked out in the first round but I want a Championship, not a team that just makes the playoffs.
Trade #1
Kurt Thomas after the season is a Free Agent and is not worth 8-10 million a year. Allan Houston on his last legs, mid-30's is better suited to play the 3, but I don't want to get into that discussion or else someone will have a hissy fit.
I'll tell you what Portland wouldn't mind those players for Rasheed & Ruben because they'll wait out the season and let Rasheed walk, but they still have over-paid players like Derrick Anderson and Ruben Patterson signed to untradeable contracts.
Houston's outside game to compliment Randolph's inside game would be devastating - that's what Layden wanted in the the Houston/McDyess combo.
Kurt a tough player to match up against the 4's in the West.
Still Kurt's $ comes off books - Ruben Patterson's 3 year deal stays on.
Rasheed gives us not only a low post player but an athletic big man, who can play 3, 4, or 5 and be a dominant player at all 3 positions. I'll bring him in now and utlize him in this years playoffs not next years.
Ruben a tough slasher type player we haven't had since Spree except he has the weight to play the 3.
Both players have chips on their shoulders and will be very good for us.
Trade #2
I think Jamal Crawford is going to be a superstar, why not have your backcourt set for the next 5 years. (Remember Isiah & Dumars)
Crawford is still raw but being a 3rd option in NY as opposed to being a 1st option with the Bulls will make him a much better ball player.
I like what VanHorn has done for us this year but you have to give up something to get a future star, possibly superstar.
VanHorn has 2 years left on his contract, the same as Curry and Chandler. The Bulls could see what that front line does for them in the next 2 years and if it doesn't work they would have plenty of $ to try again. VanHorn would be a perfect player in spacing the Court and letting Curry and Chandler do their work on the inside.
Frankie Williams goes back home and may form a future backcourt with Henrich, who appears to be able to play either 1 or 2.
Big fella Othella can show those young guys a hard working vet who takes nothing for granted.
And of course the Bulls rid themselves of terrible contracts of players that we can use, especially Jerome Williams who brings a Rodman type game (looks like I'm forming the old Piston team - they did win a couple of Championships)
Hopefully we can get something out of Eddie Robinson (could be a poor man's Darius Miles - that's not saying much)
Finally Rick Brunson, who is not only a filler but one of Rasheed Wallace's best friends.
Trade # 3
Memphis will trade for Mutumbo because they need to get a big man to guard guys like Shaq and Yao Ming. Not that Mutumbo can stop them but may neutralize a bit. We know the potential of Swift whom I beieve can be another Star, so that is why we have to include our own #9 pick Mike Sweetney. To make the trade work we take Dante Jones and Ryan Humphrey who are both young, on the IR and not getting any playing time. Maybe one of these players can develop into a contributor for the knicks in the future. Both also have 3 years left on 1st round contracts that Memphis may want to get rid off.
Look Isiah got the Knicks a #1 option which is not easy to find, I do think a deal or two needs to happen to give this team a real chance to go far in the playoffs.
2/2/2004 4:52 PM
