http://www.newsday.com/sports/baske...0223,0,1027030.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines 23rd February, 2006 - 12:35 am Greg Logan/Newsday - Executives and personnel experts around the league questioned the odd coupling of Stephon Marubry and Steve Francis, and said Larry Brown was not in favor and suggested yesterday's deal was part of a risky long-term strategy by Isiah Thomas to trade for superstar Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett this summer. One NBA general manager said Thomas sold Knicks owner James Dolan on a strategy to stockpile as many marketable assets as possible to make a play for Garnett, who has grown increasingly restless with the Timberwolves, who now might be ready to consider trading him. Brown is said to have favored trading Hardaway's contract to Portland for center Theo Ratliff and small forward Darius Miles to fill the Knicks' need for more defense, rebounding and shot-blocking. But Thomas gambled on Francis, a strategy that could blow up in his face if Minnesota refuses to trade Garnett. "Isiah has put a lot of talented players on their roster, but it remains to be seen if they fit together," the NBA GM said. "Chemistry is important. The Knicks have a lot of firepower, but Larry likes to play defense. Francis doesn't seem like his type. Larry wants hard-nosed players." [READ]
Word. Minny isn't going to want New York's "assets". If they're trading KG, they're going to want young players, draft picks, and cap relief to rebuild.
I agree with the second part, I'm not so sure about the first. New York just happens to have two great young prospects in Channing Frye and Nate Robinson. Granted, Nate Robinson may be a career scorer off the bench, but he'll always be a fan favorite. If the Knicks do pull off the rumored Jamal Crawford for Earl Watson swap, they'll have no need for Robinson at all. And while I'm sure they wouldn't be thrilled to part with Channing Frye, they'd certainly do it to bring in Kevin Garnett. A package of Frye, Robinson, a draft pick (I'm not sure what picks NY has left. I know they've moved a bunch of theirs but I think they've picked some up in trades too) and an expiring contract (I also haven't looked to see who is expiring next season), and I could see a rebuilding team considering it. Especially if KG has listed New York as one of the very few places he'd want to be traded to. I'm not saying it will happen, but I don't think it's as far removed from the realm of possibility as you guys seem to.
all of which NY could do w/o acquiring Francis. Unless they're contemplating sending Francis or Marbury to Minn as part of the trade. Perhaps Stevie will follow a Sammy's carrer arc, Peaked in Houston, traded for a star, NY area team, then Minnesota. Could the clippers be his last stop?
Francis to NY doesn't seem right since he could only go solo, and that's nowhere near enough for KG. Starbury seems a far more likely package centerpiece, especially given his bad relationship with Brown. Starbury, Crawford, and Frye would match a KG-Jaric package, though a future (2008) first would probably be needed to seal it up. Even then, it's not very attractive from the Wolves' side. Evan
Coming off the books in the summer of 2007: Rose - $17 Taylor - $10 (Houston -$20) But those contracts aren't really worth much in trading until next year's trade deadline. 9 times out of ten, teams only trade for expiring deals when there's only a couple months left in the season. No one wants to have a lame duck guy (Tim Thomas) eating up salary all year without playing. Looks bad to the fans. Evan
True, but if they were to somehow trade Starbury, Q, and Crawford for shorter deals, they might start to see a light at the end of the tunnel. More likely though, Isiah will completely screw their cap situation for the rest of the decade. At some point, Stern will have to remove him and make all New York players unrestricted FAs without Bird Rights in 2008. That or impose a $5 per $1 luxury tax for any teams above $90 million. Do something. My god. Evan
Nope. The Bulls got that with the Jamal Crawford trade. Even if the Knicks get the #1 overall this year, it belongs to the Bulls. lol
Actually, it's from the Eddy Curry trade, but what's the difference? They're both 14 and 6 guys. That pick can essentially turn out to be Adam Morrison. Another kicker in that deal is that the Bulls have the right to swap 1st rounders with the Knicks in 2007!
The only GM dumb enough to do a Marbury or Francis and dreck for KG trade would be ... well, Kevin McHale. Chicago owns New Yorks' pick this year. Chicago had the right to swap picks in 2007, and New York can't trade that pick (Stepien rule). They also owe a first-rounder to PHX by 2010. Isiah will have two lower rung first-rounders to work with (Denver and SAS') this June. I have the Knicks down for 72 million in 2008-09 alone, without the Frye/Lee/Robinson extensions, and not including the two first round pick salaries from this June. Or the other draft picks. And this is assuming that they don't keep trading. Amazing. 137-million buck payroll next season.
A rabid nets fan friend floated this idea but apparently it works: Kristic/Carter for Garnett Sounds like decent value for Minnesota that way - better than they'll get from the knicks.
