I think GS would rather have Pietrus than Richardson. I would too if I'm the Knicks.

I'm just not a big fan of Dampier. If he signs for the MLE when Thomas and Jackson have already signed elsewhere then I'm fine with it, it's just another big contract the Knicks have with a guy in his 30s, though this situation is a little different since it's a guy in his 30s who has had 1 good year and is lazy. I just don't want a guy like that.

GS wants to get rid of Richardson for two reasons and they are: cap space, Pietrus' development, and because they want to jump at Kobe. They will do the damn trade if it is offered.

Posted by BigSm00th:

I think GS would rather have Pietrus than Richardson. I would too if I'm the Knicks.

I'm just not a big fan of Dampier. If he signs for the MLE when Thomas and Jackson have already signed elsewhere then I'm fine with it, it's just another big contract the Knicks have with a guy in his 30s, though this situation is a little different since it's a guy in his 30s who has had 1 good year and is lazy. I just don't want a guy like that.

I agree, they almost traded Dampier and another player to the Knicks. Why not now.

Damp is the perfect fit for the Knicks. The hell with those of you that think that Shaq will come and play for us next year.

I have been saying this for awhile but a lot of people here think that somehow we are gonna land Sheed, Tracy, or Kobe, etc. Dampier would be a very nice addition to our team, he would lock up the C position for a few years and we would be able to trade Nazr (for the first round pick that many of you guys want). I agree with whoever said that Dampier would dominate in the East because its true. He has put up good numbers in the West and he would put up even better numbers in the East (especially with Marbury). He gives us a good low post game and a defensive presence that we need badly. If we can also get Richardson for a good price then I say do that too but getting Dampier alone would be a solid addition to this team.

Posted by fishmike:

I think we could make Dampier work at the MLE. If you offer him the full 6 years he has good security if he were ever to get hurt, but you could make the 3rd year a PO. We wouldnt have his full Bird rights, but we could then offer him a contract starting at about $9 mill starting year 3, if he were to blow up in the East. He's a good player on both sides of the ball but BRIGGS is right when he says Dampier would be a dominating big in the East.

a 36 year old Dampier is just not imaginable. If he is leaving 17 mil on the table over 2 years mightnot be all that smart. Camby wants 10mil a year for 6 years. WHat is the market for these guys anyway??? Sounds crazy.

Damp just had a career year and has a history of not being all that motivated. He rose to the occasion this year, but is it a trend, or his agent "starPhuching" his client. Remember, if the player gets more money, so does the agent.

I'd rather take a risk on a guy with upside, like Nazr. Can we resign Baker? I think he is better than Damp anyway. When Sober.

And we keep Frank Williams.

In the worst case scenario, let's say Damp plays very well for 4 years (until he's 33) and then starts to decline. And in the last 1 or maybe 2 years of his contract he's another Shandon Anderson. I think it's worthwhile to have those 4 good years to have 2 years of a Shandon Anderson type player. During those two years, he sits on the bench. So what? The Knicks are not trying to get under the salary cap anyway.

[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 05/19/2004 10:31:11]

I like Dampier. But I feel he is almost as unrealistic as Sheed. How coveted is Damps around the league? How much would Memphis or Seattle kill for Dampier? Would Seattle trade Ray Allen for JRich and Damps? Would Memphis trade Stromile and Bonzi? Realize how these packages are much better than anything NYK can offer? It's not realistic. Damps is the most coveted available center. We saw the deals Brad Miller and Rasho got last year, Damps is better than them (well, maybe not Miller, but Miller practically got a max).

I'm beginning to feel that Stephen Jackson may not even be realistic anymore. How many teams are going to come at him with the max MLE? Probably most teams that do that will promise him the starting job. And, obviously, we won't be doing that (how's that knee feeling, Al?).

Sigh. I have faith in Isiah, but let's be realistic about the things he can and cannot do. He can't magically make the GSW make a stupid trade just because Damps wants NYC. If Damps REALLY wants NYC, he'll take the MLE, right? Exactly. We all know he ain't taking the damn stinky ole MLE.