http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/27116.htm

ISIAH MAY WANT CARTER TO TEAM UP WITH BAKER

By ANDREW MARCHAND

August 19, 2004 -- After officially announcing the Knicks' re-signing of Vin Baker, GM Isiah Thomas vowed yesterday that he would continue working to make the Knicks more athletic.

"We'll always continue to try and upgrade our team," Thomas said.

With the Knicks' salary cap lacking flexibility, Thomas' job is difficult. The most appealing name out there is Vince Carter's. Asked specifically about the chances of Carter becoming a Knick, Thomas declined to rule it out.

"We have a lot of players that are interested in playing for our team," Thomas said. "I am not in a position where I can discuss players on other teams. However, we are flattered and honored that they would want to play for our team."

Could the Knicks, with their tight salary cap, even put together a package for a high-profile player?

"I've been known to be creative," Thomas said. "We definitely can put together creative deals here. Our owner gives us the flexibility to do that here. If we need to get creative in a package, we do have the means."

Thomas reiterated that he would not trade Stephon Marbury in such a deal.

Thomas said the Knicks didn't have the salary-cap space to land Erick Dampier, who was traded from Golden State to Dallas.

"He is a player who is going to make 11 or 12 million bucks a year," Thomas said. "Dallas gave up an awful lot to get him. I think it is a win-win for Dallas and for Dampier."

Thomas said it said a lot about where the Knicks are headed that Dampier even considered coming to the Garden for less than $5 million. The Knicks did not announce terms of Baker's contract.

I'll believe it when it's done.

there is no way the Knicks get Carter without trading Marbury!

I don't even think Toronto would want Marbury.

But, we have very few trade chips left.

How about Tim Thomas and Sweetney?

To me, that's not such a bad deal for Toronto.

Vince is hurt, getting slower and less of an all star- that might be the best deal they can ever hope to get for him.

One more injury and he looses another step and he becomes Penny Hardaway.

Isles... thats putting a new spin on things. I can believe this is what you thought.

I would agree that Isiah is spinning it nice, but its his job to hype the team. Free advertising!

I cannot see us giving up any size to get Vince. We have little to begin with.

ITs nice Vince wants to play here, and Isiah can use it to keep a buzz about. Buzz=tix sales. Nothing evil here, just the way of the world!

I also think we have to look at chemistry as a big issue with a team of Vince, Steph an vince. I assume Allan would need to be moved if at all possible.

The sum of the pieces must be greater than the individual value. Detroits success and Team USA struggles are reminders.

With that in mind, other than Starphuching the hell out of us, I see no reason Vince needs to be here unless Isiah has other moves to address size. I don't see how we could get even smaller from here no matter how fast we are.

no.. lots of people dont like Isiah and even more still hate the Knicks. Heck, one of the guys on ESPN radio yesterday said the Knicks wouldnt even be .500

Its just that every post you have ever made is to point out why Isiah is lousy, to prove why Isiah is lousy, to knock a player Isiah has brought in, or to agree with someone that doesnt like something Isiah has done, or to inform the forum that someone doesnt like something Isiah has done.

See the pattern?

On a side note I dont want Carter. His value is in selling tickets. I would rather see what we have in TT for a year then cash in chips trying to land Wince Carter.

"i just don't see any possibility of a trade there that makes sense for either team."

Good news.

You think I dont like Keon Clark dont get me started on Jalen Rose.

I agree with those who think that Isiah is just trying to keep the Knicks in the headlines.It wont get us Carter but trying to market the Knicks around the league as a "player" isnt a bad idea.Better that then Layden hiding from the press in his fortress of ineptitude.

Posted by fishmike:

no.. lots of people dont like Isiah and even more still hate the Knicks. Heck, one of the guys on ESPN radio yesterday said the Knicks wouldnt even be .500

That's nice but Benigno and those callers said they liked what Isiah has done with the Knicks so far but thought he was being ridiculous to suggest that things are so much better here that top players are considering coming here for a lot less than market value.

and dude, when you post something about how beningo or other knicks fans agree with you on the radio, you're freakin' stroking your own ego.

No, just trying to show that I'm not alone in my opinion that Isiah is drinking too much of his own Kool-Aid or as Benigno said "thinks that Knicks fans are that stupid" to believe what he was saying there.