Post by kgooglog on Sept 30, 2009 8:45:54 GMT -5
Frank Isola (NY Daily News) pointed to a possibility that Eddy Curry, if he has a successful year this season, may actually consider opting out of his last contractual player-option deal in 2010, which would then pave the way for the Knicks to be able to sign two elite free agents next year.
Isola discussed that the threat of the oft-mentioned NBA Player lock-out as well as Curry possibly wanting and playing for a lucrative new contract, may, in fact, be a win-win situation for the slim and trim Knicks pivot. Barbara Baker of NY Newsday actually verified that Eddy has lost over 40 pounds and looks better than he did when he first came to NY.
In essence, Eddy has a lot riding on a successful season. He also was asked by reporters about the player-option in his last year, and spoke in terms of it being the Knicks decision if they want him back, which, of course, leaves a door open that Curry may actually follow an honorable course of what appears to be a new man. It doesn't hurt that Donnie Walsh isn't in love with Curry, and I cannot see even an in-shape Curry running at the pace that Mike D'Antoni expects.
Baker noted that Curry, still only 26 years of age, may be able to play another 10 years and it may behoove him to play his butt off in the hopes that another team that is in desperate need of a pivot man who is undeniably skilled, would sign him in the summer of splurge. Eddy, if inspired, and if he can return to his near-all star status of a 19.7 PPG 7RPG pivot would be an actual commodity in 2010, when many teams will have cap-room. The Knicks will have the most cap room at this time, and to gain an additional $12,000,000 virtually locks up 2 elite players and possibly a third star.
If Jared Jeffries can be dealt for any live body that has an expiring contract, the Knicks can go into the summer with close to $40,000,000 in cap-space. Talk about LeBron? He is a Knick, IMHO, in July 2010. Joe Johnson of Atlanta is not signing an extension and Portland's Aldrich is fed up with that organization's monkeying around with his future.
We also need to keep an eye on the upcoming qualifying status of Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler as well. The Knicks need to excise one of the two players whose contracts will truly impede Walsh's capacity to acquire that player who would fit like a glove next to LeBron. Jeffries or Curry or both. If Gallo emerges as that Pippen-like player for the King, awesome. Coupled with Chandler and if Donnie can get Lee to resign, the Knicks will be a force to be reckoned with in both conferences.
However, having that extra money to get a true, defensive center, perhaps Samuel Dalembert as well as Chris Paul for the PG spot in 2011, would be simply the icing on the cake for this fan.
Who knows what looms ahead for the Knicks in terms of the summers of 2010 and 2011. Why not dream of imminent titles with a line-up that can conceivably have LeBron next year, CP3 the following year, and whoever else is on the free agent entree list?
Isola discussed that the threat of the oft-mentioned NBA Player lock-out as well as Curry possibly wanting and playing for a lucrative new contract, may, in fact, be a win-win situation for the slim and trim Knicks pivot. Barbara Baker of NY Newsday actually verified that Eddy has lost over 40 pounds and looks better than he did when he first came to NY.
In essence, Eddy has a lot riding on a successful season. He also was asked by reporters about the player-option in his last year, and spoke in terms of it being the Knicks decision if they want him back, which, of course, leaves a door open that Curry may actually follow an honorable course of what appears to be a new man. It doesn't hurt that Donnie Walsh isn't in love with Curry, and I cannot see even an in-shape Curry running at the pace that Mike D'Antoni expects.
Baker noted that Curry, still only 26 years of age, may be able to play another 10 years and it may behoove him to play his butt off in the hopes that another team that is in desperate need of a pivot man who is undeniably skilled, would sign him in the summer of splurge. Eddy, if inspired, and if he can return to his near-all star status of a 19.7 PPG 7RPG pivot would be an actual commodity in 2010, when many teams will have cap-room. The Knicks will have the most cap room at this time, and to gain an additional $12,000,000 virtually locks up 2 elite players and possibly a third star.
If Jared Jeffries can be dealt for any live body that has an expiring contract, the Knicks can go into the summer with close to $40,000,000 in cap-space. Talk about LeBron? He is a Knick, IMHO, in July 2010. Joe Johnson of Atlanta is not signing an extension and Portland's Aldrich is fed up with that organization's monkeying around with his future.
We also need to keep an eye on the upcoming qualifying status of Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler as well. The Knicks need to excise one of the two players whose contracts will truly impede Walsh's capacity to acquire that player who would fit like a glove next to LeBron. Jeffries or Curry or both. If Gallo emerges as that Pippen-like player for the King, awesome. Coupled with Chandler and if Donnie can get Lee to resign, the Knicks will be a force to be reckoned with in both conferences.
However, having that extra money to get a true, defensive center, perhaps Samuel Dalembert as well as Chris Paul for the PG spot in 2011, would be simply the icing on the cake for this fan.
Who knows what looms ahead for the Knicks in terms of the summers of 2010 and 2011. Why not dream of imminent titles with a line-up that can conceivably have LeBron next year, CP3 the following year, and whoever else is on the free agent entree list?
