The Indiana Pacers are open to trading Al Harrington, a player Isiah Thomas coached and one that would fit in nicely with the Knicks. There is one small problem however. Does anyone truly believe that Larry Bird would open trade discussions with an old adversary?

"I would do business with Indiana," Thomas said yesterday. "I would have no problem making a trade or doing business with them."

What Thomas wants and what he will get this summer are shaping up to be two entirely different things. The Knicks president, who was honored at Fordham University yesterday where he was inducted into the Five Star Basketball Hall of Fame, conceded that the Knicks have neither the financial flexibility nor the assets to acquire some of the league's elite players. That means no money to sign either Kobe Bryant or Rasheed Wallace or enough talented players to trade for Shaquille O'Neal.

"Unfortunately for us, we inherited a situation that flexibility-wise we don't have the flexibility to go out on the market and play for these types of guys," Thomas said. "You can be in the conversation. Are you really in the game? Chances are you're probably not in the game unless you get really lucky. There are a lot of guys that want to come here and play for us and play in New York. But the way things are cap-wise and everything else, we're in a tough, inflexible situation."

Thomas' comments were not-so-subtle shots at former Knicks president Scott Layden. Of course, Thomas did use the assets Layden assembled to acquire point guard Stephon Marbury in a trade with Phoenix last January that included the Knicks' first-round draft pick this year, leaving them with just the 43rd overall selection.

Thomas has talked to several teams about buying his way into the first round, perhaps to draft a high-school player. But even if that scenario unfolds, it is unlikely that the draft pick would have much of an impact on the upcoming season. Instead, Thomas will have to be creative if he hopes to add an impact player, preferably an athletic power forward, to the roster.

The Mavs' Antoine Walker remains a strong possibility. The Charlotte Bobcats did not select Walker in last night's expansion draft, so in order for the Knicks to get him, they will have to negotiate directly with Dallas, which does have interest in Kurt Thomas.

"It's safe to say that there are players out there that we have interest in," Isiah Thomas said when asked specifically about Walker.

Harrington also interests the Knicks, but the long, bitter history between Bird and Thomas does not bode well for a trade. Of course, the Pacers are desperately trying to unload Ron Artest, who suffered several meltdowns at the end of the playoffs. But if the Pacers were willing to offer Artest to the Knicks, that should raise red flags. Or as one NBA executive said yesterday, "Ron has a lot of talent but he's a ticking time-bomb."

Malik Rose's deal was called a Shandon Anderson like deal by one of the papers today. We do not need him. We have a better version with more offensive potential (Sweetney). Its just not worth getting a very late first rounder and losing a better player like Kurt Thomas to get Rose, at a similar salary level. While his producitivity to dollars ratio would be better than Shandon's as a backup, it just doesnt make sense to take on that kind of dollars for a mediocre player and a pick with a very low chance of being a contributing player. IMO unless David Harrison is there, there really isnt much difference between picking in the late 20's then there is at picking at 43.

Posted by fishmike:

saying he inherited an inflexible situation is an understatement. He moved a lot of dead wood in a short time. As I recall several people were resigned to watching Spoon, Eisley, Anderson, Houston and KVH for the next 3 years. With Layden I knew I was.

I agree Nalod, to do his job and have any flexibility it was paramount for Isiah to instantly make the team competive. The Marbury/TT combo does that. Now it will take time to reshape the roster.

Give me Artest in a heartbeat... PLEASE. He's got a super long contract. I would even take Pollard back for an expiring deal if I could make it work. Nazr, Frank and Deke. They get a young PG better than any they have (yes I just dogged Tinsley), Nazr is MUCH better than Pollard and Deke expires in a year saving them about $30 mill. If they want to kick in their #1 I will give them $2 mill on top of it. With Artest, Tim Thomas and Penny you have 3 guys that can handle the ball and play 3 positions. Get Artest now, while his value is low.

Posted by TMS:

Malik Rose's deal was called a Shandon Anderson like deal by one of the papers today. We do not need him. We have a better version with more offensive potential (Sweetney). Its just not worth getting a very late first rounder and losing a better player like Kurt Thomas to get Rose, at a similar salary level. While his producitivity to dollars ratio would be better than Shandon's as a backup, it just doesnt make sense to take on that kind of dollars for a mediocre player and a pick with a very low chance of being a contributing player. IMO unless David Harrison is there, there really isnt much difference between picking in the late 20's then there is at picking at 43.

imo, having KT on this team only delays Sweetney's development even further...i'd rather start Sweetney, have Rose who's happy being a backup role (unlike Kurt who's a constant complainer everytime he's relegated to the bench), & a 1st round pick w/which Isiah can use his good judgement of young talent to get a diamond in the rough...i'd rather have 2 chances at getting a future player who can turn into something we want rather than 1 at #44 & an aging Kurt Thomas who won't have much value once he becomes a bench player when Sweetney is ready to take over as a starter...best to trade KT now while you can still get something decent for him in return...his contract runs the same amount of time as Malik Rose's does btw, & KT gets paid slightly more overall.