Kings' Dalembert could fill Knicks' void in middle
Knicks Blog
Berman on Twitter
By MARC BERMAN
Last Updated: 3:16 AM, May 4, 2011
Posted: 1:41 AM, May 4, 2011

With the chances slim of adding a quality center with the 17th pick in the draft slim and with an unkind salary cap situation in 2011, sources close to Knicks president Donnie Walsh say he has targeted Kings 6-foot-11 shotblocker Samuel Dalembert as the likeliest free-agent catch this summer.
Walsh's old-school principles have made adding a big, bruising starting defensive center to play alongside power forward Amar'e Stoudemire as his No. 1 priority. It might be a strong enough urge to sacrifice what could be maximum cap room in 2012, essentially sacrificing a shot at point guard Chris Paul.

The Knicks realize some top free agents likely will stay put or be out of their financial range. Memphis' Marc Gasol and Dallas' Tyson Chandler are expected to re-sign, and the Clippers probably will match an offer to the young DeAndre Jordan.
That's where Dalembert comes in. According to a source, Dalembert likely would choose the Knicks if their offer is comparable with any others.
Dalembert has strong New York-area ties. He played his senior year in high school at St. Patrick's in Elizabeth, N.J., before heading to Seton Hall. An avid fundraiser for Haiti's economic plight, he also likes the visibility of being a voice for New York's large Haitian population.
If the new labor agreement still contains the $6 million mid-level exception, the Knicks will be in the ballgame. The Kings have two young big men in DeMarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson and may not pay big for Dalembert.
With the craters in the Knicks' roster as far as size, Walsh is mulling whether to change course and risk his potential maximum cap space for 2012 by offering a solid center such as Dalembert a long-term mid-level deal.
In that scenario, the club would use its 2012 cap space on depth pieces and not a third superstar such as Paul to play with Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire. And the Knicks would draft a point guard at No. 17 -- with Boston College's Reggie Jackson and Georgia Tech's Iman Shumpert on their radar. The Knicks will scout Jackson and Shumpert at the Nets' combine draft workout this weekend.
There are fears the new CBA won't allow the Knicks enough 2012 cap space to sign a max player anyway. Walsh also has said he does not need to use his 2012 cap space on just one star player such as Paul or Dwight Howard. The Knicks, who severely lack depth since the trade for Anthony, may not have the luxury of spending all of it on one player.
Howard also has given the impression he does not want to play in New York City.
Walsh has not ruled out current point guard Chauncey Billups returning beyond next season. Walsh has said Billups could be like Jason Kidd and play into his late 30s.
Dalembert would be the perfect fit for a roster that does not contain a legit starting center. Dalembert, who turns 30 this week, averaged 8.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks this season for the troubled Kings, who have threatened to move to Anaheim but appear ready to stay in Sacramento at least one more year.
In the first-round sweep, coach Mike D'Antoni started injury-prone Ronny Turiaf at center, and Jared Jeffries, who will be a free agent, was the backup.

also, re: capspace for next year.. we still would have chauncey's 14 mill to play with this year and could try and make a trade that way. if we do get dalembert, center would be taken care of and we can then focus on getting a PG or a scoring 2 in the draft. then use chauncey's expiring to get whatever we don't get.

nyk4ever wrote:

grillco wrote:Just further reviewed his stats. I gotta say no unless he can be had significantly less than the $12.2 million he made this last season. For someone his age and the numbers he puts up, I'd rather not go too much above the mid-level. I love what Donnie's done, but I'd disagree with this move if it was done. I'd rather the money to get Wilson back in NY.

i think the only way dalembert gets here is via the MLE

If he comes, that's my hope as well.

BigSm00th wrote:if dalembert signs it will be for the MLE.

this guy played 82 games a year for 4 years in a row. then went to the kings and only played 25 minutes a game last year in a crowded front court.

as a knick he'd played probably in the neighborhood of 33 minutes a game. i'd expect 10 points 10 boards 2 blocks from him, and always taking the harder defensive assignment which frees up STAT.

this is not jerome james LOL big snacks had a weight problem and a motivation problem. dalembert's a consistent guy -- shows up every day, hits the glass, blocks shots. i think he's pretty much the ideal front court complement to STAT

How is Sam consistent? It's the lack of consistency that lessens his appeal. I've not heard of any real reliability game after game as it relates to Sam. Check his game stats. He has quite a few games where he's scoring 15-20 points and then another patch where he's good for 2-4 ppg. Same with boards, as he's got a buch of games where he's +/-15 rpg and then a bunch where he's lucky to get 4 or 5 (sometimes less). He's the epitome of inconsistency. He gets his 8 and 8 super ugly...truly grim.

Pass.

grillco wrote:

BigSm00th wrote:if dalembert signs it will be for the MLE.

this guy played 82 games a year for 4 years in a row. then went to the kings and only played 25 minutes a game last year in a crowded front court.

as a knick he'd played probably in the neighborhood of 33 minutes a game. i'd expect 10 points 10 boards 2 blocks from him, and always taking the harder defensive assignment which frees up STAT.

this is not jerome james LOL big snacks had a weight problem and a motivation problem. dalembert's a consistent guy -- shows up every day, hits the glass, blocks shots. i think he's pretty much the ideal front court complement to STAT

How is Sam consistent? It's the lack of consistency that lessens his appeal. I've not heard of any real reliability game after game as it relates to Sam.

I'm not sure what you've "heard" but here's what i see:

2006-07: 82 games, 82 starts. 31 minutes per game: 11 points 9 rebounds 2 blocks
2007-08: 82 games, 82 starts. 33 minutes per game: 11 points 10 rebounds 2 blocks
2008-09: 82 games, 82 starts. 25 minutes per game. 6 points 9 rebounds 2 blocks
2009-10: 82 games, 80 starts. 26 minutes per game. 8 points 10 rebounds 2 blocks
2010-11: 80 games, 46 starts. 24 minutes per game. 8 points 8 rebounds 1.5 blocks

first 4 with philly, last yr was in sactown splitting time with demarcus cousins and jason thompson. i think the stats show that when he is starting and playing over 30 mintues hes a 10/10/2 guy on 55% from the field. he has no injury history, will get 10 rebounds and 2 blocks if given 30 minutes, and will guard the other team's best post player every night.

who is better than him that is a plausible FA option? this guy solves a few HUGE needs (rebound help, shotblocking, putting someone at the 5 which allows STAT and melo to play at their natural positions, size).

Panos wrote:I just want D'Antoni and Walsh to be on the same page and not lock up any salary in a guy that will not get playing time.
COMMUNICATE PLEASE!

Why wouldn't Mike play Dalembert??? If he played Jared and Turiaf I see no reason to think he won't
Play guys Donnie brings in. This whole thing is so overblown. No coach plays everyone! We may not agree with Mike all the time but he's trying to win and playing the guys he thinks will help do that.

If Jared played I see no reason why Reggie Evans wouldn't play! Why do fans not see the similarity in that. Mike does play kids and he does play defensive players with no offense!