Is it me or does the article kind miss the fact we have to fill out a roster with with the cap at $61mm.

If Melo and Stat are $38 mil of the cap, and adding another star at the same pay scale ($19mm) thats $57mm for just three players.

Not to be a "Debbie Downer" or anything, but $4mm to fill out the roster for 12 roster players seems a bit thin.

Will the cap be as such that we go over it even with super hyper tax? Its not my money, but is the three star system valid after the new CBA?

Knicks’ owner works to maintain size
By MARC BERMAN
Last Updated: 3:45 AM, November 1, 2011
Posted: 1:48 AM, November 1, 2011
Knicks owner James Dolan is frustrated the lockout rages on and the club’s season opener tomorrow against the Heat at the Garden has been wiped out. But Dolan, part of the owners’ negotiating committee, is content about one of the agreed-upon aspects of a new collective bargaining agreement: the size of the salary cap will not go down.

More than any team in the NBA, that will benefit Dolan’s big-market Knicks the most, ironically.

According to multiple sources, one of the resolved issues in a new CBA is the 2011 cap will remain at the level as it was in 2010 -- $58 million.

“That’s what we’ve been discussing, though the exact dollar amount is not set until the new deal is done,’’ said one league source, who added no new talks have yet been scheduled.

Economic projections from sources say the salary cap will then grow to about $60 to $61 million in 2012 -- when the Knicks will have the largest cap space in the league and have room to woo either Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Dwight Howard, who are slated to become free agents. The Knicks could be at least $20 million under the projected 2012 cap.

Ironically, Dolan has been seated across from Paul, who is the Knicks’ top priority, during many of the labor bargaining sessions because Paul is on the union’s negotiation committee.

According to a players source, Dolan has been the least combative of the owners and often serves as a mediator during contentious moments.

“He’s tried to keep the parties on point,’’ the source said. “He’s trying to make a deal, seeing a positive spin. He’s been, in a word, productive.’’

Early in the negotiations, the owners’ proposals had the cap set back to $45 million, which would have killed former Knicks president Donnie Walsh’s master plan of adding a third superstar to Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony in 2012.

Walsh is a consultant now, but his big defense for gutting the team for Anthony was that the blockbuster trade preserved the Knicks’ 2012 cap flexiblity.

The new CBA (whenever it’s agreed upon) will also clear more cap space for the Knicks in 2012 because of the agreed-upon amnesty clause.

Knicks interim general manager Glen Grunwald is expected to use the clause on Nuggets throw-in Renaldo Balkman, whom he once drafted. Balkman is to make $1.7M in 2012 and is not in Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni’s plans.

When Balkman, a former first-round pick in the Isiah Thomas Era, is sliced, his $1.7M salary won’t count toward the cap under the new provision.

Without Balkman taking up 2012 cap room, the Knicks may have only three players under a guaranteed contract after this season: Anthony ($19.4M ), Stoudemire (19.9), rookie Iman Shumpert (projected $1.4M).

Toney Douglas has a team option for $2.06M and may not be re-signed if Shumpert excels. If the Knicks don’t exercise the Douglas option, they could be at $40.3M entering that summer -- possibly $20-$21M million in cap space.

Yahoo! has reported the NBA and players are talking about bringing federal mediator George Cohen back to talks this week. ... Union president Derek Fisher sent a letter to the players yesterday, denying a report he has a rift with union director Billy Hunter.

marc.berman@nypost.com

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/dolan_thinking_cap_KYqiEAYeqYYk4xR4CJ3ApO#ixzz1cRynS6Gr

DOlan is a wack job and ultra loyal. Evidence to H20, Isiah and to Donnie............Or better put "the good, the bad, and the Ugly!"

Dolan loyal to Donnie thru his health problems and wanted to bring him back but on terms that perhaps castrated him a bit.

Seems Dolan can spend up to 100mm on salary as he has done in the past.

I just wish we'd be more patient at times!

I have always rooted for Dolan to do the right thing.

No doubt I would love to add Dwight to this core and then use the rest of the cap wisely on good contracts for depth. First we would have to see who we would like to keep/resign from our roster,

Shawne Williams (this year, i don't see him taking another 1 year deal)

Brown (final year of his contract) we didn't see much of him but he seems to have some upside

Fields I know a lot of people love this kid and we would get another year to evaluate him. However, I don't think he can grow in to a solid defender. I think he has a better chance growing to a better offensive player and would have to have to maintain a solid 3 point shot if we decide to keep him. I would much rather spend the money on players like Ariza. To a lesser extent, players that have the role of a vet Battier, Tony Allen, Matt Barnes, or even a Marion type, basically a player that can be used vs Miami to guard Wade/Bron
1) play solid defense
2) being consistent on the 3pointer
3) anything more would be a bonus *not looking to break the bank, something about 2-3mill. A player like Ariza I would be around the 5mill area.

Jerome Jordan
Jorts

can these guys have a rotation on the roster and how much upside do they have?

Rautins it looks like he will be a goner, If we really can get Nash especially. My opinion would be a Matt Carol at best with a downside of a D league player. He hasn't shown the ability to play defense or handle the ball close to Hinrich. I think Hinrich is solid player, I thought he was going to be better but he does play hard on both ends which I like.
If he can actually be more consistent with his shots and 3 point shooting, he would be a very useful rotation player. He is also going to be a FA in 2012 and someone I would keep my eyes on if we acquire Dwight and lose out on Cp3, Deron, and Nash.

If we really can add Dwight and still have cap to spend to fill out the roster, some players I would look to fill out the roster with with GOOD contracts that are unrestricted FA's

Nash
Billups
Udrih
Sessions
Hinrich
Kenyon Dooling

Pietrus
Ray Allen
Delfino

Camby

these are players that I would look to for the veteran minimum and some of the above 2-3m.

Duncan
KG

Kaman
Wilson Chandler

I don't think Chandler and Kaman would sign for under the MLE type money. Duncan and KG have made a lot of money in their careers already, I can see them taking major pay cuts
if we show we can be legit and become the favorites in the East over Miami/Bulls.

These are just players I would look at, a lot of depends on what moves we make to our roster, how they look this seasons, and how our own core look/develop.

Nalod wrote:
I have long said that Dolan is better than a debt strapped owner and in this economy the guy has renovated the garden and is willing and ABLE to spend on the team, or in other words "becareful what you wish for!"

DOlan is a wack job and ultra loyal. Evidence to H20, Isiah and to Donnie............Or better put "the good, the bad, and the Ugly!"

Dolan loyal to Donnie thru his health problems and wanted to bring him back but on terms that perhaps castrated him a bit.

Not so much castration, I think it would be more about having IT around taking Donnie's rectal temperature on a regular basis, while holding his hand while on the phone.
Again, Dolan's loyal to those who cause the most destruction, or to those who don't deserve loyalty. Or just to those who cause the most pointless backpages.

Nalod wrote:
I have always rooted for Dolan to do the right thing.

And I have always hoped that they would serve ice water in hell. I liked the Melo trade, but having Dolan seem to usurp Donnie (even if it was vapor) for IT smacks of some genetic deficiency in Dolan. Thankfully though, his genetic sufficiency includes bottomless pockets...

Childs2Dudley wrote:

eViL wrote:if this lockout has done one thing, other than seriously irritate me, it's swayed my opinion on Dolan.

Dolan is still an idiot. Him wanting to play games to make money off his investment doesn't change that.

better than an idiot like donald sterling who's content to run his big market team on a budget. unfortunately, there's not enough mark cubans to go around.

don't get me wrong, i'm not a dolan fan per se. i just don't loathe him nearly as much as i did before he emerged as an owner who wants this thing over.

i just want bball. what the ****?? why do we lose games during the year the Knicks will actually be a good team???? the basketball gods hate the knicks.

Nalod wrote:
Or......

Dwight and Deron n Brooklyn is interesting too!

The Russian and his dwarf Giraffe will be formidable (as opposed to formatble) at some time.

I am so happy that I know (or care) so little about the Nyets that I have no idea who you're referring to.
Is that a code word for JayZ?