Knicks trade Randolph and Collins to Clippers

[Run BJM]

The Knicks completed a wild day of trading on Friday when they sent Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins to the Clippers for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley. The deal comes less than two hours after Donnie Walsh traded Jamal Crawford to the Warriors for Al Harrington.

Both deals were made to clear salary cap space for the summer of 2010 for when LeBron James becomes a free agent. The contracts of Harrington, Thomas and Mobley all expire in two years which will put the Knicks in position to make a run at James, the most coveted free agent since Shaquille O'Neal left the Orlando Magic to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Harrington, who was originally drafted by then-Pacers president Donnie Walsh, is not expected to be available for Saturday's home game against Washington. He will likely play, coincidentally enough, in Tuesday's game against James and Cleveland.

Crawford was the Knicks leading scorer and is well liked by his teammates and coaches. But his contract runs through 2011 and Walsh has made it clear that his goal is to get the Knicks under the salary cap by 2010.

"It's always going to be a possibility that one day the face of this franchise is going to change," Mike D'Antoni said early Friday. "(Walsh's) plan is pretty clear... In a couple of years we're going to be under the cap. Everything he will do will lead us to being under the cap in two years. And I'll deal with making sure the team is competitive and we'll try to make the playoffs this year."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...knicks_trade_jamal_crawford_for_al_harri.html

Crazy day for the Knicks, who've greatly helped their cap situation, albeit at the cost of potential wins/playoffs. Meanwhile they trade two somewhat significant players to the western conference.

 

[Chutney]

D'Antoni's system was probably the best suited to showcasing these two players. I'm sure it helped Walsh in getting rid of both (I think that was his plan all along).

 

[Shapecity]

Let's see if they can unload Eddy Curry now.

 

[Moo2K4]

This wasn't a shock after they traded away Crawford. Next up should be Curry, but to who?

 

[Run BJM]

Let's see if they can unload Eddy Curry now.

Curry for Gerald Wallace? For some reason I keep reading that Larry Brown liked Curry in NY. I guess that doesn't help them in 2010 but both Curry and Wallace go past 2010 so at least they get a better player who fits with D'Antoni.

Duhon/Mobely/Wallace/Harrington/Lee with Chandler, Thomas, Q-Rich, Nate Robinson off the bench?

 

[Mr. J]

I can't express this verbally, but I'm very excited.

 

[JE]

If the Knicks trade Curry, it will just be for another soon-to-expire deal. They won't get (and probably don't really want) a long term piece for him.

 

[MikeDC]

The Knicks new salary structure.

They look set for 2010, although they also look pretty iffy for the rest of the year.
1- Duhon, Nate
2- Mobley, Roberson
3- Chandler, Q
4- Harrington, Lee, Thomas, Gallinari
5- Jeffries, Curry, James

They could really stand to get another guard in there and move out some PFs.

 

[Moo2K4]

The Knicks new salary structure.

They look set for 2010, although they also look pretty iffy for the rest of the year.
1- Duhon, Nate
2- Mobley, Roberson
3- Chandler, Q
4- Harrington, Lee, Thomas, Gallinari
5- Jeffries, Curry, James

They could really stand to get another guard in there and move out some PFs.

I don't think the Knicks care about this year, regardless of whether or not they think they can still compete. All these moves were made with 2010 in mind. A lot of fans might not like it, but these guys are going to struggle for the rest of the year and probably next year too. However, they could get a hell of a reward out of all this in a tandem of LeBron and some other max contract guy (Bosh, Wade, etc.).

 

[DynastYWarrioR6]

I'm trying to figure out how the Clippers shuffle three big men in ZBo, Kaman, and Camby....does this mean Kaman is on the way out?

 

[Moo2K4]

This would leave me to believe Kaman is out. There have been trade rumors surrounding his name, so I wouldn't doubt that he's gone by the end of the month. He's got the longest deal out the three too, and at the moment, he's the only one that's immediately tradeable if I'm correct.

 

[DynastYWarrioR6]

This would leave me to believe Kaman is out. There have been trade rumors surrounding his name, so I wouldn't doubt that he's gone by the end of the month. He's got the longest deal out the three too, and at the moment, he's the only one that's immediately tradeable if I'm correct.

I'm still thinking theres gonna be a Kaman-Gerald Wallace swap.

I mean imagine Okarfor next to Kaman, Okafor won't have to face bigger centers anymore. Morrison will get his minutes. Then Wallace can run with BDiddy in LA. Plus Wallace can help on the defensive end.

Again, my NBA Live mind takes over.

 

[Moo2K4]

That swap would make sense for both teams though.

Wallace would fit in perfectly with what the Clippers *need* to do. With Baron Davis...they need to run. That's when he's at his best, and operating out of the half court is just moronic as long as he's the PG.

As for the 'Cats...they FINALLY get a legit center and can officially move Okafor to his true spot at the PF. Plus, that'd be a damn scary frontcourt tandem, especially in the East. I'd venture to say that they might be able to push the 'Cats into the playoffs...who knows.

 

[DynastYWarrioR6]

See TheraFlu works wonders!

 

[Mr. J]

If the Knicks trade Curry, it will just be for another soon-to-expire deal. They won't get (and probably don't really want) a long term piece for him.

We have so much room for 2010 that I can see Walsh using Eddy and someone else (probably Lee) to acquire decent help so FAs won't feel they are coming into a losing situation.

 

[J_Ray]

Curry for Gerald Wallace? For some reason I keep reading that Larry Brown liked Curry in NY. I guess that doesn't help them in 2010 but both Curry and Wallace go past 2010 so at least they get a better player who fits with D'Antoni.

Duhon/Mobely/Wallace/Harrington/Lee with Chandler, Thomas, Q-Rich, Nate Robinson off the bench?

Curry actually has player option for the next 2 years, but I doubt he'll opt out of them. I actually think they have an 8 seed playoff team in the East probably. They're now full of 3 poitn shooters and are athletic. This team is very similar to the Suns when Amare was hurt IMO. If they can gel, they might be pretty decent....I hope they suck next year though

We have so much room for 2010 that I can see Walsh using Eddy and someone else (probably Lee) to acquire decent help so FAs won't feel they are coming into a losing situation.

They're going to have to get someone or else this team looks horrible on paper going into that free agency period IMO

 

[JE]

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/

One league executive said the Knicks' chances of signing LeBron James will hinge on whether they can add another star player before the summer of 2010 or a attract a second free agent in 2010 as a package. Carlos Boozer is a free agent this summer and the Knicks would have room if they trade Eddy Curry by February for an expiring contract.

lol good luck