Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Grant Hill

[kgooglog]

The Knicks have reportedly been one of 5 teams interested in "Big Baby" Davis (Take off Boston as they signed Rasheed Wallace to a two year pact, Detroit since they signed Charlie V, and Memphis because they have Big Z). It would probably take the entire mid-level exception yet, according to Comcast SportsNet New England. com., "Baby" would benefit from the unbelievable exposure/endorsements he would receive from playing in New York. What is most interesting about this article, which is available to be read on HoopsHype, is that I have not read anything about this in any NY area newspaper.

I admit that I was a bit surprised when I read about New York's entry into the "Big Baby" "mini sweepstakes", but then I started thinking that Donnie Walsh may be preparing for a sign and trade involving David Lee. If Lee left, Davis would probably start as New York's PF with Jordan Hill coming off the bench--at least, initially. This is simply my speculation, of course. Orlando and San Antonio are also rumored to be interested in BB; Orlando needs a back-up to D-Howard and San Antonio cannot keep running on Kurt Thomas' incredible engine plus Tim Duncan will need to rest more and more as Father Time begins to effect the Spur's big man.

I love this guy and he really stepped it up in the play-offs. He is a young player who still needs to develop, but Davis gave Lee fits when the Celtics and Knicks played. The kid has some terrific post moves, can shoot the mid-range jumper, board, and is one of the beloved players of the NBA. If Donnie Walsh can acquire Davis for the MLE and no other PGs are on our radar, I would be more than happy with our off-season. Having the Big Baby on the Knicks affords the team yet another PF/C who will come cheaper than David Lee, can play spot minutes at center, and Jordan Hill will get more minutes.

I still think NY must explore other PG options, and I admittedly have Ramon Sessions, or Andre Miller on my mind if it comes to a sign and trade with the General. Again, trying to get Andre Miller for less than $10,000,000 will be an extreme long-shot for New York, but I would be very comfortable having Miller run this team in 2010-11. I also like Sessions very much, but he is only 23. However, I think he can be a wonderful fit on this rebuilding Knicks team and we may be able to secure him via a sign and trade (Nate Robinson), if NY uses the MLE on Davis.

Today the Knicks meet with FA SF Grant Hill, 36 years old, and are reportedly competing against the Celtics and perhaps another contending team or two, for his services. The Knicks still have their bi-annual veteran's exception which I think is around $1.6 million dollars. Once again, this may be a move predicated on a future trade, and I am hoping Wilson Chandler is not part of this future trade. However, Harrington is in his last year, may be traded, and Hill is obviously or was obviously a better passer than any current Knick. Grant Hill, like Jason Kidd, provides the Knicks with leadership, assists, and the possibility of connecting the dots when it comes to next summer's FA party.

[jbnewyork162]

Why dont we look for bibby for the midlevel. Atlanta really doesnt want to sign him and really not too many teams have been barking up his tree. dony get me wrong, bibby is the B team compared to Kidd or Miller but he could have really no choice left at this point.

Then since David Lee is looking for a certain amount and we want to get rid of Jeffries a sign and trade deal for Tyson Chandler for an extra year to be added with our young core could do our Knick team pretty good this year and the next IF/WHEN Bosh comes here. Then I'd aggresively pursue THE McGrady deal for Curry/Mobley's insured roster spot.

You can nab Bibby or Big Baby with the midlevel, Tyson Chandler, a half year McGrady, to go with a healthy Gallo, Jordan Hill, an even hungrier Nate(he will be unrestricted next year if he takes the tender) plus Toney Douglas and possibly sign and trade David Lee and/or the aforementioned Nate to Philly for Andre Miller.

Then you fill out the roster with low risk, high reward glue guys like Almond, Ewing Jr and we could easily be as high as the 5th seed if you get everything done and chemistry is good all year

If you are clever enough and have the swagger to sell water to a whale then Donnie could make all these fair deals happen while still keeping cap space intact andd keeping us competitive and having depth.

-Jason

[greatgates]

Jul 6, 2009 10:56:55 GMT -5 jbnewyork162 said:

Why dont we look for bibby for the midlevel. Atlanta really doesnt want to sign him and really not too many teams have been barking up his tree. dony get me wrong, bibby is the B team compared to Kidd or Miller but he could have really no choice left at this point.

Then since David Lee is looking for a certain amount and we want to get rid of Jeffries a sign and trade deal for Tyson Chandler for an extra year to be added with our young core could do our Knick team pretty good this year and the next IF/WHEN Bosh comes here. Then I'd aggresively pursue THE McGrady deal for Curry/Mobley's insured roster spot.

You can nab Bibby or Big Baby with the midlevel, Tyson Chandler, a half year McGrady, to go with a healthy Gallo, Jordan Hill, an even hungrier Nate(he will be unrestricted next year if he takes the tender) plus Toney Douglas and possibly sign and trade David Lee and/or the aforementioned Nate to Philly for Andre Miller.

Then you fill out the roster with low risk, high reward glue guys like Almond, Ewing Jr and we could easily be as high as the 5th seed if you get everything done and chemistry is good all year

If you are clever enough and have the swagger to sell water to a whale then Donnie could make all these fair deals happen while still keeping cap space intact andd keeping us competitive and having depth.

-Jason

I'm not a big baby fan. he's not long on defense and not a good rebounder. And bibby is as bad as crawford defensively.

[kgooglog]

Jason and GG...

I am not a big fan of Mike Bibby, to be honest with you. Although I do like Big Baby, I've thought about it and really do not see a spot on the current roster for him, unless David Lee is signed and traded, which I don't see happening.

I do like the notion of Tyson Chandler coming here, Jason, and this is one David Lee sign and trade scenario which I would seriously think about. This substantially bolsters the Knicks five spot, and three legitimate centers (Darko, Ty, and Sene) would be on our roster. The problem I do have is Chandler's contract, which, like Jeffries' and Fatso's, runs into 2010-2011, thus effectively eliminating a James/Bosh or a James/D-Wade FA signing unless the Curry/Mobley deal is proposed and accepted. The impact that the Blob has on our future cannot be underscored enough. I wish that Donnie Walsh would just buy him out, and, I think that, if push comes to shove, Walsh would just do this, as a last resort.

What I like about Tyson Chandler is that he is a superb athlete with freak athletic prowess. He is still young, he runs the floor, boards, blocks shots, and is very, very long. He is also a versatile player, who can play on the floor with another one of the Knicks "bigs". He is also an excellent finisher on the fast break. If you had to make a center according to Mike D's system, Ty would be the prototype, IMHO.

Here is my final thought. I would like to see Donnie Walsh first get rid of Curry in any which way possible, so that he is no threat to our cap in 2010. I would want to see Nate and Jeffries packaged together for the "on the table" Kenny Thomas Sacramento Kings trade, with the contingency that we do get a 2010 first round pick in return. I think that the Kings, in this hypothetical trade, are basically gaining two young players who can actually improve their lousy squad for an old, rusty, cantankerous "Malik Rose" type of player, who sits and whines about PT. At the very best, he can be a reserve, reserve forward. At the very worst, he could be a locker-room cancer or simply a pain in the ass.

[kgooglog]

One last thought about the PG spot which, as of this writing, remains a bit frightening to me. I am really high on Ramon Sessions, the 23 year old Bucks RFA, who the Knicks are definitely interested in.

I think if Grant Hill gives New York an answer, he would be signed for probably one year with a portion of the MLE. For some reason, Milwaukee simply let Charlie Villanueva bolt without any compensation whatsoever. I think the Bucks want the kid Sessions to remain on their squad; however, NY would need to seriously think about how much $$$ to give an aging superstar who can make more money in NY than in Boston, but can also stay in Phoenix.

I love Sessions and think that at age 23, he will develop into an above average PG who would fit in like a glove on a team featuring LeBron James/Bosh or Wade. He is 10 times better than Chris Duhon and has great court vision. Most importantly, I believe it wouldn't cost the Knicks the entire MLE but the Bucks may match. Perhaps this is why NY first saw J-Kidd, then Grant Hill, and hopefully Ramon is next on the list.