I'm all about upgrading our level of talent on the team.

I'm kind of surprised we didn't just work out a trade with Dallas using KT as bait. He's still 27 (soon to be 28 in August) and while not nearly as athletic as Tim Thomas, he has a much higher basketball IQ and much more game.

Like most players in his generation, he's a big man with a remarkably low fg %. He's a career 41% shooter. Think that's low? Jermaine O'Neal shot a similiarly poor 43%, so he's not alone in this regard.

I think Rasheed Wallace is really what IT would love to get... but if that's not possible, I'd be okay acquiring Walker even if it meant giving up Sweetney. I'd say the jury is still out on him. I just don't get the feeling that undersized PFs age well in the NBA--- as wear and tear saps them of their above-the-rim game.

And just as reports have said, I wouldn't mind a return of Antonio McDyess--- his initial healthy return was very promising, adding untold depth to our bench. I also wouldn't mind a return for Doleac, whose perimeter game really added another element for us at center.

Posted by JayNYC:

Anybody here stop to think that, when Charlotte drafts Antoine Walker for us.. we will be setting ourselves up for another trade. Walker could be our means to getting Shaquille O'neal..

Don't laugh!!! It's not as far fetched as it seems.
His expiring contract.. plus a package of Dikembe Mutombo and Shandon Anderson could get it done.. Sweet'n the pot with next years #1 and we'd have a deal.. I'm almost certain!!

IMAGINE:

Shaq
K.Thomas/Sweetney
T.Thomas/D.Johnson
Houston/Hardaway
Marbury/F.Williams

Thats a CHIP right there!!! Just something to think about>

I dont see LA giving up shaq AND taking on shandon. miracles dont happen in 2s

I wonder if anyone would feel differently if the Walker was replaced with Mo Taylor....who the Rockets may have left unprotected. Still I'd rather develop Sweetney.

Mo Taylor is the rockets version of shandone anderson. i'm not sure why we would want more bad players with long term contracts who don't play defense. To compare him to antoine walker, a good player in the last year of his contract who doesn't play defense is like comparing a tomato and a red porche. they're both red...but that's about it.

thank god. No walker... good..

using the trade checker, just for the financial aspect of course :

Dallas trades: PF Antoine Walker (14.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 4.5 apg in 34.6 minutes)
Dallas receives: C Cezary Trybanski (0.1 ppg, 0.1 rpg, 0.0 apg in 2.1 minutes)
PF Othella Harrington (4.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.5 apg in 15.6 minutes)
C Dikembe Mutombo (5.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 0.4 apg in 23.0 minutes)
C Kurt Thomas (11.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.9 apg in 31.9 minutes)
Change in team outlook: +7.4 ppg, +10.0 rpg, and -1.7 apg.

New York trades: C Cezary Trybanski (0.1 ppg, 0.1 rpg, 0.0 apg in 2.1 minutes)
PF Othella Harrington (4.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.5 apg in 15.6 minutes)
C Dikembe Mutombo (5.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 0.4 apg in 23.0 minutes)
C Kurt Thomas (11.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.9 apg in 31.9 minutes)
New York receives: PF Antoine Walker (14.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 4.5 apg in 82 games)
Change in team outlook: -7.4 ppg, -10.0 rpg, and +1.7 apg.

TRADE ACCEPTED

Due to Dallas and New York being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Dallas and New York had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.


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You have been assigned Trade ID number 1677064

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/story/205093p-177036c.html

Walker-to-Knicks
rumors heat up

By FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Rumors of a trade that would bring Antoine Walker to New York are alive again. The Knicks and Charlotte Bobcats have had discussions about a deal for Walker, who was left unprotected by the Dallas Mavericks for tonight's expansion draft.

Walker's salary could preclude the Bobcats from selecting him, because if they were to deal Walker to the Knicks they would have to take back approximately $14 million in salary.

The Dallas Morning News reported that Walker's agent, Michael Higgins, confirmed that the Knicks and Bobcats were talking about a potential trade for Walker.

Walker, who will turn 28 in August, is entering the final year of his contract. His name is already being linked to trades with the Lakers, Magic and Bulls if Walker remains a Maverick after tonight.

Last season, the Knicks were prepared to send Latrell Sprewell and Michael Sweetney to Boston for Walker, but the Celtics rejected the proposal. Boston GM Danny Ainge swore he wouldn't trade Walker - only to deal him to Dallas.

The 6-9 Walker can play either forward position and is drawing plenty of interest around the league because he is in the final year of his pact. The Bobcats' projected salary cap for the 2004-05 season is approximately $32 million, which is why it wouldn't make financial sense for them to keep Walker.

Instead, they could select him and then attempt to trade him for several players, including some who are also in the final year of their contracts. For example, the contracts of both Dikembe Mutombo and Othella Harrington expire after next season. Other players would have to be included in the deal to match Walker's $14 million price tag.

If Dallas still owns Walker's rights, he could still be sent to the Knicks in a deal for Dallas product and former Maverick Kurt Thomas, who is a favorite of both owner Mark Cuban and coach Don Nelson.

One problem is that Walker and Tim Thomas are somewhat similar players. The Knicks would prefer to deal Tim Thomas, who lost credibility in the front office and in the locker room for sitting out the final three games of the Knicks' first-round series against New Jersey after challenging the Nets team and specifically Kenyon Martin. But with Thomas' value low and his contract high, he is difficult to move.



TRADE WINDS: Two players Isiah Thomas also knows very well, Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest, may both be on the move. McGrady could land in either Houston, Chicago, Indiana or with the Clippers.

The Pacers are trying desperately to trade Artest, a St. John's product from Queensbridge, who suffered several meltdowns in the playoffs. According to a league source, the Pacers spent an hour trying to convince Artest to get on the team plane after their Game 4 loss at Miami in the second round. Artest wanted to remain in Miami with his wife before finally boarding the plane.

In final minutes of the Pacers' Game 6 loss to Detroit, Artest picked up a costly flagrant foul when he forearmed Richard Hamilton in the face. After the series, Artest skipped his exit interview with Larry Bird.

BOBCAT BAIT: The Knicks left Allan Houston, Shandon Anderson, Penny Hardaway, Cezary Trybanski and Moochie Norris unprotected for tonight's expansion draft.

Originally published on June 22, 2004

when it comes down to it, everyone on the team is available except marbury and sweetney. it's a matter of what's best for the team. players like sheed, dampier, walker are the attainable ones. it's a matter of which one we can get.

i'm all for getting walker just for the mere fact that we can dump him at the deadline for some pretty good players. walker is a VERY valuable trade commodity.

but with all factors considered, the bobcats or dallas can get a better deal if they wait till the deadline. that's why i think this is just another tabloid story concocted by the newspapers. the knicks are nowhere near close to getting antoine.

And why would ANYONE take that pile of crap for Walker? Walker has fallen dramatically, but he's still better than say, Keith Van Horn and you don't just give him away. Then there's the added fact that his expiring deal is FAR more tradeable at the deadline. Now, why would any team give that up for Kurt and a bunch of fodder, expiring fodder or not?

The only chance was to make it work with Charlotte, which can't happen, apparently. Maybe if they can find a taker for Kurt (like Utah?) who would give them a number one pick or something and has the cap room to just absorb the salary it could work.

Bottom line: Walker is quality and he'd make the Knicks better, but he doesn't address the SERIOUS defensive needs this team has at the moment. They need a shotblocking PF or C. Putting Walker next to Nazr and TT in the front court would get ugly REALLY quickly. If you can add Walker and then give the MLE to someone like Chris Andersen, I say do it.

Also, can people please stop fantasizing about adding Stromile Swift, Erick Dampier or Rasheed Wallace for the Mid-Level? There's no way any of those guys will EVER come here for the MLE. It just won't happen.

The problem with Jamison is that his contract extends to 2007-08:

http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/dallas.htm