Of this list I think Z is the best bet. If the Cavs renounce Z's bird rights to clear cap space, they wont be able to S/T him. I honestly don't see any of teams with cap space interested in him. If he isn't signed & traded he may be looking at a max MLE as his best offer.

I don't like Kwame, Curry scares me too, and I doubt we get Dalembert. These younger guys are full of potential (and question marks). Ther're also all RFA's These are the guys teams with cap room are gonna offer big contracts to and see if their teams match. (Watch Atlanta offer Dalembert 5 yrs 50mm) Chicago, Wash, Philly will match an MLE offer sheet for these guys without flinching. The players know this, that why they won't even bother. So you have to work out a S/T, similar to Craw's deal. Our best trading piece for this would've been KT, but he's gone now, so you likely have to part with Sweetney or Ariza. You could offer expiring contracts, but they don't save anything by themselves, the only incentive they have to deal with us is to offload even more terrible deals in addition to the player. Sorry but these guys aren't worth it.

That leaves the MLE candidates. Of these Z is head and shoulders above Hunter and James (and not just cause he's 3" taller) He's an overall better player, has a post game, a midrange game, blocks shots, clogs the lane, etc.

Honestly, If Kwame puts up Z's numbers next year (say 17, 9 and 2 blks)It's be seen as a breakout season for him. But when Z puts up those numbers, people just shrug?

Now, if Cleveland does not renounce Z and wants to S/T him to us while trying to saddle us with Snow's contract, then I pass. In that situation I prefer Hunter over James as an MLE candidate.

[Edited by - ctknicksfan on 06/23/2005 21:47:55]

[Edited by - ctknicksfan on 06/23/2005 21:49:06]

you left out Gadzuric and Chris Andersen. They aren't high profile, but they'd replace some of kurts grit

Posted by EwingsGlass:

Stro Swift. Damn. I'd give up a decent amount for him. I just don't think the numbers work. But he is the top choice of the bigs.

2 is Dalembert.

I don't like Z. I want a team that runs. Z has a bad big toe.

as much as i like stro, he's a pf. chris anderson is more of a backup (i'd love to have him off the bench though). i would'nt mind gadz. my choices are dalembert or james.oh, and i would'nt want z foking up this team we're trying to put together for the future.

Dalembert is going to get $8-10 million a year from Atlanta or Philly. There's no way we can afford him. We could afford Hunter for the MLE. We could afford Andersen for the MLE.

Isiah seems to have his eye on Phoenix, so maybe he noticed Hunter...

I agree that Z is the best player on that list, but Gadzuric is a clear 2nd. He's 2nd in the league in rebounds/48 minutes, 1st in the league in offensive rebounds/48 minutes and 18th in the league in blocks/48 minutes. I'd be very happy if we could get him.

Dalembert, Z, Hunter and Curry....


Z may cost us a little too much, but he is worth the risks

It was close for me between Dalembert and Kwame, but Kwame's so much stronger and better built that I think his upside is higher. So, I was that lone person who voted for Kwame.

Using the Dido, I was able to predict that the Knicks will sign Kwame Brown, that tampering charges will be discussed but not filed against the Knicks by the Wizards. May the Dido be with you.