[SPECULATION] How about another deal with New York?

I posted something about this in the Jerome James thread in the Dish, and I've put some more thought into it so I thought I'd bring it up here and see what everyone thinks. Now that the Knicks have overpaid Jerome James and just drafted David Lee and Channing Frye, they have 7 potentially serviceable big men on the roster. They have 17 players on the roster...obviously someone has to go. Usually I'm the last person to whip up a trade scenario out of the blue, but I felt this made sense for both teams.

While I optimistically hold out hope that Stromile chooses winning over money, I think each day that passes makes the chances worse and worse for landing him (without a sign and trade). I have a feeling the market for PF's is going to skyrocket just like SG's did, especially after James just got $5-6 million a year. I also don't want to see the Rockets sink the payroll by agreeing to a sign and trade that overpays for Swift, and makes us take on a guy like Jason Williams who is high risk or a headcase like Bonzi Wells (who really doesn't shoot well enough for our needs). We don't NEED a flashy player or a 20/10 guy at PF...we just need a serviceable guy that can get the job done, and we need some depth. On to my point...

How about a deal for Michael Sweetney? I honestly haven't seen him play much at all, so I was hoping someone could give us some insight about him.

'04/'05: 8.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .3 bpg, .522 fg%, .74 ft% (in 19.6 mpg)

His numbers aren't bad at all considering the minutes he's played, and he's still young. Obviously he doesn't have the upside that Stromile has, but his numbers are actually pretty close even though they are different types of PF. From what I can gather Sweetney is a big body, tough to stop in the paint (see the high FG%), and a solid rebounder (if he's better than Howard that's a plus). My only questions about him are his midrange jumper and his defense. He also doesn't seem to be very athletic, but if we don't get Swift or Marshall we start to run out of options...almost anything is better than what we have behind Howard.

Sweetney + Jerome Williams
FOR
Weatherspoon + Baker + #1 pick 2006

Yes the Knicks are getting their old garbage back, but they are more concerned about clearing salary and roster space than getting serviceable players. They can buyout Spoon and Baker to clear roster space. Jerome Williams is overpaid (3 seasons left on his deal, making more than Howard) but we're going to have to help them out to make it work. Williams has been a pretty decent player in his career as well, a good rebounder, and he offsets some of Sweetney's weaknesses, such as athleticism.

I really don't think Isaiah is going to find any takers for a package of Sweetney and Tim Thomas/Hardaway, so hopefully he'll look down at the contract of Jerome Williams, who only got 15 mpg last year, and take the expriring contracts and a pick to dump him off.

Not only do we solve our depth problems at PF, but we still have Wesley/Sura/James left if we want to change up the backcourt, not to mention the MLE leftover. If CD could pull it off, we could fill more than one hole now, instead of throwing everything in the pot for Stromile or 'Tione and limiting our options.

Thoughts?

 

Yes, but we aren't going to make it a whole season with just Juwan, not to mention his health problems. We need someone to at least back him up.

Don't get me wrong, I'd still take Stromile over this at the right price. I'd even take Walker or Marshall if they came at the MLE.

But if we don't land any of those guys I'd rather do this than go throw the MLE at someone who isn't close to being worth it (like a Brian Grant)...even though we are taking on a bad contract in Williams, at least we get a solid backup with it and a guy who could develop into a starter. Also keep in mind that this pick should be at least as high as it was this season...so we're talking late first round.

The Spurs, Lakers, and Rockets have all won championships with average frontcourt players next to an all-star guy. The Spurs just won with Nazr Mohammed and Robert Horry (clutch player, but not better than average when it comes to PF skills) next to Duncan.. The Lakers won with Samaki Walker and other low-budget guys. The Rockets of old won their second title with freakin Chucky Brown (no offense to his fans )and Robert Horry next to Dream. We don't need to go blow a bunch of cap space on big name guys is all I'm saying. Sweetney is just an option if we can't find anyone else affordable in free agency.

 

If you look at NY's team, they don't need players. They need cap room and roster space. Looking at my original post..."Yes the Knicks are getting their old garbage back, but they are more concerned about clearing salary and roster space than getting serviceable players. They can buyout Spoon and Baker to clear roster space". More than likely they'd buyout Spoon and Baker to clear the roster space...it's not like they are going to play anyway, and both of their contracts end after the season so it doesn't necessarily hurt NY to buyout. That first round pick would have to be at least lottery protected for the Rockets I would think.

I just don't want to see the Rockets end up with Spoon or Chris Andersen as a backup PF. There is no way we will improve with just Howard at the 4.