Walsh has to convince 2 premier free agents to give up $60 million.

Tmac was offered the max, it was all but a certainty that he would become a great player even at such a young age.

 

if lebron, for some reason, does sign with the knicks, it's a guarantee that another superstar is going to sign there. the knicks will harp that in lebron's ear all month long.

 

lol i cant buy that....if they wanted to rig it why havent the knicks won the lottery in last decade or so that they've been bumbling around? in let's say 2003 when you had lebron ,melo,wade, bosh, etc....knicks wasnt even close to the top and got.....mike sweetney i think

 

Any team can give you a max contract, but not every team can give you the largest basketball fanbase. Endorsement deals playing with NY or LA are a hell of a lot more than endorsement deals playing in Podunk, USA.

 

I heard Walsh say on a radio show that NY is one of those cities that players want to play in, so that's going heavily into his pitch to attract FAs. I think it's true, David Lee who is from St. Louis loves the city and Nate Robinson (Seattle) said NY was the place he wanted to play. They're going to have to do something real creative with Lebron, there was some mention of selling him his own TV station in NY awhile back so maybe thats how they attract him to NY.

 

Not least because they have an army of agents whispering in their ears and agents stand to lose millions of their own on such a contract. There may be some players who might have a desire to jump but no agent on earth is going to willingly give up millions like that

But Walsh must know something.

There's no way that he just gives away the next 3 Knicks draft classes plus all these trade assets. He must have some kind of assurance or backroom deal in place.

 

Does any player ever bad mouth cities? How many times did we hear players from McGrady to Mike James say "I love Houston"? New York is a desirable location but I doubt it's that much of a game changer. Sure, it has a lot over Cleveland or Memphis or Salt Lake City, but there are still LA, Miami, Houston, etc. all out there which have reputation as cities players like. Even if NYC is special, the Nets are also moving to Brooklyn and don't they have cap space, too?

 

Great thread OP!

I didn't catch this prior to your mentioning.

Here's another article speaking to this effect. Apologies if it's previously posted.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1154-Hous...one-era-ends-a-new-one-begins-for-the-Rockets

As one era ends, another begins for the Rockets

by David Harnett, Houston Examiner

With the three-team, nine-player deal that brought the Rockets Kevin Martin, Jordan Hill, Hilton Armstrong, Jared Jeffries with potentially two lottery picks from the New York Knicks, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey proved doubters wrong, and was able to pull off a high-profile deadline trade that dramatically alters the Rockets’ future.

By New Year's Eve, it was inevitable the Rockets would deal Tracy McGrady. But the idea that Carl Landry would be involved in any deal seemed outlandish. He was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, one of the top fourth quarter scorers in the league, and yet he was moved to acquire a talented scorer who can fix the Rockets' biggest weakeness.

There was a reason why Kevin Martin’s name was mentioned early on in possible trade scenarios involving the Rockets and McGrady — he would work well with the team. What you get with Martin is an efficient scorer (ask ESPN’s David Thorpe), who can move well off the ball, has a penchant for attacking the basket, and features an odd, yet effective shooting stroke (that is irrelevant, but his shooting mechanics are really quite unusual).

He’s equally potent from beyond the 3-point line, as he in shooting from 12-to-18 feet. When Yao comes back, and begins to demand double teams Martin will no doubt thrive.

As for the Landry departure, it will no doubt sting. It was unexpected, and it’s tough to replace such a talented post presence coming off the bench. Yet, there is a reason there is the saying “you have to give up something to get something”. And the idea that Morey sent Landry out when his value was at its highest, as it was unlikely Landry would replicate similar stats next year with a presumed Yao back in the rotation.

Considering the Rockets’ greatest strength was their depth at the power forward position, and was able to use that strength to compensate for their weakness at the shooting guard position, it makes the Rockets a better team. Not to mention if everything works out the way Morey possibly plans it to, then the Rockets have Landry's successor in Jordan Hill.

Hill could prove to be a vital addition. Obviously, he’s not nearly as proficient of an offensive force as Landry. And while the idea that Hill wasn’t able to acquire many minutes in the Knicks’ rotation, it’s maybe a bit uncomforting. Yet there are few things to consider; Hill is only 22 years of age, he’s only played in 24 games this season, and is averaging a mere four points per game. But Kyle Lowry was sort of an outcast, and wasn’t seeing many minutes towards the end of his tenure with the Grizzlies. But fortunately for Houston he turned out to be a pretty good acquisition.

This notion Hill is a bust over halfway into one season seems unfounded. He may be underperforming thus far, and he’ll have to live up to the lofty expectations, but the Rockets have seemed to turn other team's trash into treasure before, no reason it can't happen again.

The other two pieces the Rockets acquired — Hilton Armstrong and Jared Jeffries — are nothing special. Armstrong is unlikely to be back next year, and Jeffries may see minutes, but more than likely see plenty of time sitting comfortably next to Brian Cook on the bench.

The draft picks were a nice touch, and when news broke the Rockets had agreed to a deal with Sacramento, it was uncertain if the Knicks would be willing to include the draft picks to make a three-team deal work. It was apparent New York Knicks' General Manager, Donnie Walsh, desperately needed to acquire the valuable cap space to offer two max contracts this upcoming free agent period, and seemed to say "future draft picks be damned".

Though for the Knicks, they’re risking the next five years on the impending free agent period. It’s as though they’re playing Texas Hold’Em, they have the Ace and King of spades, it’s the turn, and there are two spades out there with no chance of an opponent holding a full house or a four-of-a-kind. Meanwhile, they know somebody at the very least is holdingat least a pair, maybe even three-of-a-kind. Yet the Knicks are stilling pushing all their chips in the lone hope the river brings them a spade.

Essentially, the storied Knicks franchise is risking their future on the hope they can convince at least LeBron James, Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosh to play half of their games at Madison Square Garden. Yet, it’s an odd proposal if you’re the Knicks. They gave up future draft picks, have very few players anticipated to be on the roster next year, and the ones they will have are uninspiring to say the least — and without a sign-and-trade these key players are likely to miss out on around $30 million in terms of guaranteed salary.

Maybe the allure of Broadway or the marketing possibilities can lure one of them and make the reality of gutting the team worth it, but if you’re a Rockets fan you’re hoping the Knicks falter at acquiring any real talent this offseason and hope for the Knicks to play poorly enough to get either the second, third or fourth overall draft pick in 2011.

Though one name not made prevalent so far in this article has been Tracy McGrady. While the national media may put his names in the forefront of their headlines, for all intent and purpose he’s likely to make no real impact with the Knicks. And while his time with the Rockets is finished, he's likely to be remembered as someone who made a lot of money, irritatied a lot of fans and didn't win a playoff series. Conversely, while he’s been chastised by fans and yours truly in the past, he is a good man who did a lot of good off the court for noble causes such as Haiti relief efforts and the genocide in Darfur. And rather than leave with a metaphorical middle finger in the air, disparaging the organization and city he had called home for the last five and a half seasons, he left a nice goodbye message to those in Houston on his Facebook page and on his website.

A couple of excerpts from it:





Today, as I officially say good-bye to the Houston Rockets, one of my greatest regrets is that I was unable to bring Rocket fans a championship during my time here in Houston. This great city has been my home for over six years. Three of my kids were born here and this is where CleRenda and I will continue to raise our children. It is where we call home. Over the years, I have received so much support from the communities throughout the city, on a personal level and for my Foundation and Darfur School Programs. I have nothing but sincere gratitude for the city of Houston and the generous people who live in it.


I wish the current Rockets team nothing but success this season. They are a great group of guys, tremendous teammates, and very talented on the court. One of the highlights of my career has been playing alongside Yao, a truly exceptional player and human being. I have great respect for him as an athlete and as a friend, and will remember fondly our time playing together.

Yet as the McGrady/Ming era is officially finished, and Carl Landry had to sadly depart far too soon, Kevin Martin should soon dazzle and try to win over those hurt by Carl’s exodus. Nevertheless, while Martin is the future, it seems fitting to attach a couple of videos that highlight McGrady's and Landry's best moments as a member of the Houston Rockets.

theSAGE

 

There are a lot of Knick fans that are convinced that Lebron is coming because his star will burn brighter in NY than anywhere else. You're going to break their hearts saying it doesn't matter.

 

Its called going over the cap, they have the money to afford it.

 

Listen to what Magic has to say about it...

I am not saying I know this but NY would have to be foolish to do this trade if they didn't at least have an idea that Lebron would consider NY if they brought in another star. hence the desperation to clear cap room.

Think about it Houston and New york have a deal but NY plays hardball and tries to bluff houston saying they want to lottery protect the picks and they don't want to give up hill and then Morey says forget it and calls SAC. Sac says yeah okay, will do it but we want Landry for Martin. And Morey says okay.

Now NY hears this and Dolan calls walsh and says hey we got to get this done. Call him back and give him the picks without protection just get it done.

So Walsh gets on the phone and says Hey my boss changed his mind and wants to give you what you want. And that's why we raped them. Because not doing the deal was never an option. They must believe they have a serious possibillity to sign Lebron if they can get either get Amare or bosh to sign.

They really have to believe that or else they or a little stupid to take such a risk. If it was Isiah I would say okay he is just stupid but Walsh is a shrewd GM who has a good track record. They gave away too much for a hope.

 

I know I'm getting waaaaaaay ahead of myself here, but how awesome would it be if Houston and New York met in the Finals in the near future.

Morey would basically be responsible for getting both teams there.

 

Time will Tell

I hate to say it, but I think any player, T-Mac included, is going to be set up to fail in NY. And for that reason, I hope for all the best for T-Mac despite what became a difficult exit from H-Town.

If you think about it, the way NY is setting itself up for the FA market and max players like LeBron, there's no hiding the fact that they have HUGE and I mean HUGE expectations going into this offseason and ultimately the '10-'11 season. I mean, assuming it is their goal to sign not one but two huge MAX players, how could their expectations be any less than top seed in the East? Let alone top 5? A borderline .500 season, and trust me (an ex-New Yorker), the media and fans will be all over Walsh AND the players.

Unless I'm one of those true journeymen Max players looking for the money, care little for the media scrutiny, and care less for winning championships, I don't see why any sensible player would consider going to NY under these circumstances. The bar of expectations is just too high... and this is even BEFORE reaching the offseason.

Despite this trade, the Knicks remain in sorry shape. Their moves reek of desparation and unfortunately, Walsh inherited a hand that is nothing short of terrible. And perhaps he is doing the most logical and sensible thing by blowinng up the team, ridding itself of toxic contracts, and essentially approaching this like massive surgery instead of working in small incremental steps. It's like gangrene. Once the leg is dead, sometimes the best move is to cut it off.

I fear that should T-Mac fail to perform, or worse still, get re-injured, the NY media will have a field day. The flip side is if T-Mac somehow miraculously leads the Knicks to the playoffs, he will not only earn himself major props, but he just might be able to rid himself of the 1st round monkey, by ironically, getting INTO the first round with a lousy team that everyone has written off His legacy will be intact, but he'll be lauded for his on court leadership. And this too would bode well for the Knicks in either signing T-Mac for longer term, or attracting FAs to the team this summer.

It's a gamble Walsh is making. Perhaps a smart gamble. Time will tell. But I think T-mac's success in these remaining months will be telling. There is truly something for the Knicks to play for over and above the playoffs this year. Otherwise, why not just tank outright and raise their chances of getting John Wall? Given this trade, I think the most likely outcomes are:

High Probability - Knicks end the season much like where they are now. They sign FAs in the offseason but little improvement next year. As 0.500 team, pressure builds, and every player on the team is back on the block. Intermediate term future looks bleak as team is cantankerous, big egos are unhappy, and Knicks are locked in.

Lo Probability Knicks play well for rest of season with T-Mac. They are able to sign great FAs in the offseason - perhaps even a rejuvenated T-Mac. Next year proves a top 5 seed - enough to keep the media at bay. Intermediate term future looks secure.

Suffice it to say, I think we got the better of this deal. Objectively speaking, we gave up little while maintaining great present and future flexibility. Our expectations may have increased some after this move, but it's in keeping with, at least on paper, a wonderful looking roster.



theSAGE