More Damn Rumors

[irish2u2]

First some facts...

The Knicks extended the contracts of David Lee and Nate Robinson putting them in play to be either, re-signed or signed and traded this summer. The move was expected and gives the Knicks maximum options with both which includes not matching an offer for either from another team.

Now the rumors...

Darko Milicic for Quentin Richardson in a straight trade. Both have expiring contracts but it does give the Knicks the unique honor of having two of the biggest center draft busts in recent history and the two leading candidates for Underachiever of the Year on the same team.

It's too much to hope Darko or Eddy Curry makes use of their talent but when all is said and done Darko has more skills, he is a legit 7 footer, he is in better shape and he'd be a better fit for the system than Curry. You keep wondering if the light will go on but so far no sign from Darko he gets it and if traded he would be on his 4th team. Hope fades.

Now Gerald Henderson, the 6'5, 215lb SG from Duke is the latest candidate for the #8 draft pick by the Knicks. Henderson is wildly athletic, smart, hard working and a high character guy with skills now and upside for later.

It's rumored the Knicks will try to buy the Timberwolves #28 pick. They already have picks #4,5 and 18 so the pick is in play. There should be some decent players available late in the first round and it's only money, right? ; )

The #5 pick is gone, the #2 pick is probably still in play and the phone is no doubt ringing off the hook in Donnie Walsh's office. A little over 1 day and we should know a lot about where the Knicks are headed.

[will1682]

I believe the amounts offered to David & Nate were 2.9 and 2.7 I do believe a sign & trade scenario with both is what Donnie is hoping and will attempt to dump Jeffries and/or Curry with them. That could prove to be difficult given the 2010 cap situation, who knows what teams could offer and if it would accomodate.

It does look like a "straight up" scenario with Memphis if the deal between Q and Darko does happen. Im sure Donnie is still trying to pry the second pick but I dont see it happening at this point. With the exception of Rudy Gay (whom I dont see the Grizzlies dealing) no other player besides Darko has a contract that accomodates 2010. Im sure the Grizzlies would rather have Mobley's contract rather than Q's, but such a chip isnt worth Darko alone. Also, it is pretty sad when you check the deal on RealGM's trade checker and see that we are in the minus columns with stats if this deal goes through, and that includes rebounds.

[jbaer10314]

<< Now the rumors...

Darko Milicic for Quentin Richardson in a straight trade. Both have expiring contracts but it does give the Knicks the unique honor of having two of the biggest center draft busts in recent history and the two leading candidates for Underachiever of the Year on the same team.

It's too much to hope Darko or Eddy Curry makes use of their talent but when all is said and done Darko has more skills, he is a legit 7 footer, he is in better shape and he'd be a better fit for the system than Curry. You keep wondering if the light will go on but so far no sign from Darko he gets it and if traded he would be on his 4th team. Hope fades.

Now Gerald Henderson, the 6'5, 215lb SG from Duke is the latest candidate for the #8 draft pick by the Knicks. Henderson is wildly athletic, smart, hard working and a high character guy with skills now and upside for later.

It's rumored the Knicks will try to buy the Timberwolves #28 pick. They already have picks #4,5 and 18 so the pick is in play. There should be some decent players available late in the first round and it's only money, right? ; )

The #5 pick is gone, the #2 pick is probably still in play and the phone is no doubt ringing off the hook in Donnie Walsh's office. A little over 1 day and we should know a lot about where the Knicks are headed. >>

I understand whu people post rumors on the board, but I still put no stock in them until these things actually happen.

I realize Milicic has been in the league for quite a whil already, but is he really a bust? Isn't it possible he simply didn't find his niche? Isn't it possible he could thrive under D'Antoni? Larry Brown treated him with kid gloves in Detroit simply because he couldn't speak English, and the Pistons fans hated Milicic simply because Brown was frustrated with the kid after one season.

Now that I think about it, D'Antoni could help Milicic reach a higher level of play. But I'm amazed at all the fans who won't give foreign players a chance to succeed simply because they're from overseas. Sheesh...

[irish2u2]

Jeff

Not once in my post did I mention "foreign" player. Milicic is a bust because he was drafted ahead of Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh and he has done nothing to justify not just being a #2 pick but picked ahead of those guys.

I agree that Milicic had a tough first year with Larry Brown but he has gotten opportunity after opportunity to succeed and he has failed. He has never averaged double figure points and when given minutes, by Orlando, his numbers were at the very best average. He did nothing with a Memphis team screaming for size on their front line.

Darko has talent. He has had opportunity. Injuries and conditioning are not major factors nor is there the big language barrier any more. It's upstairs or in his heart where Darko Milicic's problems are manifested. Five years in the league and he's averaging 5.5 ppg and 4.0 rpg.

Not all fans have a built in prejudice against foreign players (it's certainly a minority opinion here and on the old AOL board) least of all me who has been touting Ricky Rubio for the draft and who supports the prospects of Danilo Gallinari. ; )

BTW, I post "rumors" on the board because a) they are interesting to discuss and dissect b) because not all rumors are unfounded and c) because I want to and like to in order to promote discussion. If you wish to limit yourself to just concrete facts that is fine but that sort of cuts out most of the off season discussions, doesn't it?

[greatgates]

Jun 24, 2009 13:13:18 GMT -5 irish2u2 said:

First some facts...

The Knicks extended the contracts of David Lee and Nate Robinson putting them in play to be either, re-signed or signed and traded this summer. The move was expected and gives the Knicks maximum options with both which includes not matching an offer for either from another team.

Now the rumors...

Darko Milicic for Quentin Richardson in a straight trade. Both have expiring contracts but it does give the Knicks the unique honor of having two of the biggest center draft busts in recent history and the two leading candidates for Underachiever of the Year on the same team.

It's too much to hope Darko or Eddy Curry makes use of their talent but when all is said and done Darko has more skills, he is a legit 7 footer, he is in better shape and he'd be a better fit for the system than Curry. You keep wondering if the light will go on but so far no sign from Darko he gets it and if traded he would be on his 4th team. Hope fades.

Now Gerald Henderson, the 6'5, 215lb SG from Duke is the latest candidate for the #8 draft pick by the Knicks. Henderson is wildly athletic, smart, hard working and a high character guy with skills now and upside for later.

It's rumored the Knicks will try to buy the Timberwolves #28 pick. They already have picks #4,5 and 18 so the pick is in play. There should be some decent players available late in the first round and it's only money, right? ; )

The #5 pick is gone, the #2 pick is probably still in play and the phone is no doubt ringing off the hook in Donnie Walsh's office. A little over 1 day and we should know a lot about where the Knicks are headed.

I love the Q deal ; and love the idea of buying a pick in the late 20s. I don't like henderson; prefer DeRozen more but will still be sad if curry, hill, evans are all gone.

[kgooglog]

Bill...

I do like the idea of Darko for Q-tip, simply because we gain height, youth, and a player who may thrive in the D'Antoni system. I don't know about Darko's salary situation, but I assume it extends until 2010 and beyond. This is a concern, if we are talking LeBron. Are we sure his deal expires in 2010? If so, then Walsh needs to pull the trigger on this one, and I am 100% for getting rid of an overweight swing man who fills no need for NY whatsoever.

My dad told me about the Knicks doing "something" about Lee's and Robinson's contract situation. I understand, from what you wrote, that NY has covered their necessary bases with both players, but am a little confused about another team's ability to match or exceed what NY has offered them. Maybe this is a coup with Nate, who may not get the offers we know he is worth, but David is surely going to get at least a $8,000,000 per from another team. Do we have to match it?

To touch upon Will's point, I do think the Memphis pick is being dangled, and my notion is give them Cuttino's contract and our 8th pick or Nate and Cuttino's deal straight up for the second pick. I do not even want to hear Wilson Chandler's name mentioned, unless it is for Blake Griffin.

Money is nothing for Dolan. NY should buy one of Minny's picks, as there will be plenty of players who will be terrific in the lower end of the draft, plus we have squat next summer as it stands. If all else fails, we can offer Mobley's deal to a team who will be in the lottery next year. I have no problem with a top 5 pick for Cuttino's deal in 2010.

Damn, I cannot wait until tomorrow...

[irish2u2]

Ken

Darko Milicic has an expiring contract this season.

I would trade Wilson Chandler for a shot at Ricky Rubio. Obviously that is the viewpoint of a semi-astute amateur. ; )

One team can make a contract offer to David Lee meaning he has to approve them offering a contract. If Lee approves that offer and it's tendered the Knicks have 15 days to match the offer. At this point sometimes a sign and trade deal is negotiated if the parent team declares they will match the offer but are agreeable to getting something back in return for allowing the unrestricted free agent to leave.

That Memphis pick is very much in play. I like scenarios where maybe we keep the 8th pick but that may mean using Wilson Chandler as bait. Likely he could be bait even with our pick if we really are enamored of Rubio. To me losing Chandler hurts but gaining Rubio and either DeRozan, Henderson or even taking a chance on Earl Clark may be worth it. I could be very wrong.

[kgooglog]

Jun 24, 2009 16:31:29 GMT -5 irish2u2 said:

Ken

Darko Milicic has an expiring contract this season.

I would trade Wilson Chandler for a shot at Ricky Rubio. Obviously that is the viewpoint of a semi-astute amateur. ; )

One team can make a contract offer to David Lee meaning he has to approve them offering a contract. If Lee approves that offer and it's tendered the Knicks have 15 days to match the offer. At this point sometimes a sign and trade deal is negotiated if the parent team declares they will match the offer but are agreeable to getting something back in return for allowing the unrestricted free agent to leave.

That Memphis pick is very much in play. I like scenarios where maybe we keep the 8th pick but that may mean using Wilson Chandler as bait. Likely he could be bait even with our pick if we really are enamored of Rubio. To me losing Chandler hurts but gaining Rubio and either DeRozan, Henderson or even taking a chance on Earl Clark may be worth it. I could be very wrong.

Bill...

You are not an amateur, my friend, although I go with Thabeet at #2. You know far more than I do about Rubio, and if he can be a potential superstar PG, or eliminate the need for an expensive upgrade via Nash or Kidd at the point, I will be happy with the outcome. You, as well as all the people here, know I love Hasheem, and I do believe that if NY can acquire the #2, Thabeet will be ours.

Knowing that Darko's deal expires this season makes me now want to pay his airfare to be, at the very least, an active, in shape, center, who may or may not work out for NY. That said, he is a center or PF, and Q is just an expensive, out of conditioned so-called player, who, IMHO, has not fit on this year's team, or any Knicks' team. If this deal is actually on the table, I cannot see how Walsh can resist adding a younger, taller player to our team.

I have a huge player-crush on Wilson Chandler, and he is the last player I want involved in any trade. Conversely, LeBron James is the best player in the NBA and his arrival can make WC a fifth wheel. I think Wilson would be an excellent fit playing with LeBron and Bosh, but, if we can get a stellar PG, even an 18 year kid who plays the position, I suppose I must reluctantly consider the master plan.

Thanks for clearing up the David Lee/Nate Robinson status. I need as much information as possible going into tomorrow's agonizing, yet thrilling event!

[irish2u2]

Ken

25 hours or so and counting. ; ) Seems like a lifetime though.

I like Wilson Chandler a lot. He's got physical ability, skills, a great attitude and he plays both ends of the court. I'd hate to see him go but facing facts if I can get my loyalties around Lee leaving then Chandler being traded isn't that hard a concept to get over especially if we replace him with LeBron James. ; )

[ReneNYG1]

I like Darko because his length gives us defense,Miss Q is a nice guy but it worth the shot,we might be able to turn this kid around,DA has this as his project and you never know.

[ReneNYG1]

What I want to know is does Wash, have any guys they want to trade for Jeffries and Hughes,I would except anything in return that doesn't hurt my cap.

[ReneNYG1]

Jeffries for Haywood get it done.

[irish2u2]

Jefferies for Mike James works too and his contract expires next year. At this point any warm body with an expiring deal works for JJ.

[pearl]

Ken:

My friend, I am with you regarding Thabeet. I have watched Rubio and although he is impressive, (looks like a mini Pete Maravich), the Knicks need a Center who will send shots back and clog the middle. Hasheem would provide much needed defense and in my opininon would be more beneficial than Rubio.
Of course, the Knicks need to get a top two pick to have a chance to land Thabeet.

I also don't want to give up Chandler, he has the right work ethic, talent level and overall game to be a keeper. Build around Gallo, Chandler and Thabeet and you have the makings of a very nice future. Get LeBron in here for 2010-1011 and the Knicks will be important once again. I do miss that playoff-springtime sound of a raging MSG crowd. There is nothing like it in sports. I had gone to a Knick-Celtic playoff game in Bernard King's heyday and the MSG crowd almost blew the roof off. That feeling cannot be duplicated anywhere.

Pearl

[kgooglog]

Jun 24, 2009 21:19:25 GMT -5 pearl said:

Ken:

My friend, I am with you regarding Thabeet. I have watched Rubio and although he is impressive, (looks like a mini Pete Maravich), the Knicks need a Center who will send shots back and clog the middle. Hasheem would provide much needed defense and in my opininon would be more beneficial than Rubio.
Of course, the Knicks need to get a top two pick to have a chance to land Thabeet.

I also don't want to give up Chandler, he has the right work ethic, talent level and overall game to be a keeper. Build around Gallo, Chandler and Thabeet and you have the makings of a very nice future. Get LeBron in here for 2010-1011 and the Knicks will be important once again. I do miss that playoff-springtime sound of a raging MSG crowd. There is nothing like it in sports. I had gone to a Knick-Celtic playoff game in Bernard King's heyday and the MSG crowd almost blew the roof off. That feeling cannot be duplicated anywhere.

Pearl

Beautifully said, Pearl. BTW, ESPN is reporting that Q-Tip and cash for Darko is just about a done deal. Now, with an expanded version, me thinks we can snag the #2 pick for the Grizzlies, perhaps with an exchange of picks.

I remember that Bernard King performance in what was the Joe Lewis or Cobo arena, and that place was rocking! This next 18 hours or so, is possibly going to be the most exciting ones of the summer...