I would love to have Francis back. BUT, as others have pointed out, MJ and SF are almost interchangable. It doesn't make much sense to have both of them. Even if we decide to have two similar type guards, we still have Alston taking up playing time. I'm just hoping that Morey sees something I don't or decides to just go for Steve for the talent. A guard rotation of Mike James, Steve Francis, Tracy McGrady, Bonzi Wells, and Brooks would be absolutely sick as far as scoring and rebounding goes. Francis/James/Brooks McGrady/Francis/Wells Battier/McGrady/Novak (new PF)/Hayes/Landry Yao/Deke? That leaves us with Sura's and VSpan's contracts, Alston, Snyder, and/or Head as trade bait.
Francis reportedly to become free agent ESPN.com news services Updated: July 11, 2007, 2:12 AM ET The Knicks were happy to get Zach Randolph. The Trail Blazers were happy to clear space for Greg Oden. Steve Francis might be the happiest of all. Multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday night that the Blazers had agreed to buy out Francis' contract -- for almost the full amount. Portland sent Randolph, along with Fred Jones and Dan Dickau, to the Knicks for Francis and Channing Frye in a draft night trade on June 28. Almost immediately word surfaced that the Blazers would try to buy out Francis' deal. The Washington Post and Newsday reported on Tuesday that Portland will pay more than $30 million of the $33.6 million that the former All-Star guard is due. "This was the definition of a win-win situation with Isiah and the Knicks getting Zach Randolph and Steve being the ultimate beneficiary in being bought out," Francis' agent Jeff Fried said on Tuesday, according to Newsday. According to the paper, Francis will go on the waiver wire at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday. Another team could claim him, but that franchise would be responsible for his contract. Most likely, Francis will become an unrestricted free agent in seven days. The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers have been rumored to be interested in signing Francis. The guard's longtime friend and former Rockets teammate Cuttino Mobley plays for the Clippers. According to the Post, Fried said that the buyout allows his client to find the "right fit as opposed to the most money. He doesn't need much to be made whole." Francis averaged a career-low 11.3 points per game last year, his first full season in New York. He has career averages of 18.4 points and 6.1 assists per game. Francis made the All-Star Game from 2002-04 while with Houston.
I honestly wouldn't mind losing him to the Clips. He'll be happy there, and he'll get to contribute. Just as long as he doesn't go to the Mavs I'm satisfied. IMO, getting Francis would be icing on the cake for our guard situation right now. It'll allow us to get rid of alot of the crap on the bench (JLIII, Snyder, Head). And don't give me flak for calling Snyder and Head crap. Yes, they have potential, but aren't exactly all-star caliber talent.
Honestly I've never been that huge a fan of Francis since his second year. Despite having all the physical gifts a player could ask for, he has never even been a solid defender, much less the lockdown guy you'd think he could become. Despite that, I'm all for the Rockets making a run for Stevie, we have a nebulous roster around Yao and T-Mac with the new coach. Francis could come in and play a variety of roles. The only problem is that it will be hard to top what the Clippers offer, a starting job, and Mobley's hot breath on the back of Stevie's neck.
with SF onboard, we can get rid of Alston, Span, and JL3. Or keep Alston and use Head in trade bait. Alston/SF/tmac/PF/Yao, or SF/tmac/Battier/PF/Yao
Steve Francis Tracy McGrady Shane Battier A Power Forward Yao Ming That is dangerous... no matter what you think about Steve.. that would be a nightmare for other teams coaches and there chalkboard
yes, get stevie back, trade alston and luther for a solid PF that can put up double doubles, Francis coming back is more mature and ready to start winning again
SF here would play more minutes at the 2 than the 1. BTW, I don't see SF getting more minutes with the Clips versus the Rox.
I voted no, just because I think we'll have to overpay, but damn: Franchise T-Mac Battier PF Yao Bench: James, Deke, Hayes, Landry, Novak, Snyder (assuming we are trading Alston/Head for the PF) It won't get much better than that...
except for that lack of PF.... but yeah, I'd love Blake on this team, but we have too many guards as it is (although they seem to be dropping like flys)
Why stop there, maybe we can get chucky atkins to sign for the vet minimum and get milwaukee to do a s/t for mo williams. That might make smush parker want to sign an unguaranteed 2 year contract with us.
