Knicks Want Free Agent Big Men

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Though Thomas will try to make a move by Feb. 24's trading deadline, he realizes he'll be in better position to do sign-and-trades during this summer's free agency when he has a host of expiring contracts as pawns, most notably Tim Thomas and Penny Hardaway.

Interesting big men free-agent targets will likely include, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Antoine Walker and centers Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Stromile Swift.

"We're positioned for the future," Isiah said. "We got young players, assets we could probably use in the summer if we wanted to do. But we do know we have a ways to go."

The Knick president knows more than anyone that trades are made nowadays based on contracts, not talent. That's how he got Jamal Crawford last August in a sign-and-trade, giving up four players with expiring contracts.

Moochie Norris', Vin Baker's and Nazr Mahammed's pacts also expire after next season.</div>
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This is no surprise. Even though Mohammed has been playing well we can still use help. On the defensive end especially. We really don't need Walker. We already have players with questionable shot selection and no defense. Walker might not be a good fit for us. Then we need some one with a defensive presence.

If we can some how magically steal Zydranaus Ilguaskas from Cleaveland, we will definitely be much improved. I doubt we can get him from the level of play from LeBron James and the improved team. Also with the Redd Cleaveland rumor, it will be extremely hard for us to get him. Little to none chance of getting him.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim I think will eat up Sweetney's burn. Abdur-Rahim is a 30+ minute guy and can't really play center. So, I don't no how they can co-exist. Especially if Kurt Thomas is still around.

Stromile Swift is a good young athletic guy and his athleticism makes up for his lack of size at the C spot. This guy also can easily get MSG rocking with his dunking ability. He can also run the floor very well. I like him a lot. However, he does sometimes make bad decisions on the court but, I really do like him. And the direction this team is going in he will be a good fit. What will Memphis want for him though? Maybe Kurt Thomas? He still is a young guy at 25 so I highly doubt we can sign him for the MLE.

The Knicks do have many pawns. They will also finally have their picks again. Teams want those huge expiring contracts like Penny and Tim Thomas. You know what. Let's keep'em. Let's try and sign someone legit. I have to quote you again Tribute:<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Then he traded away all those expiring contracts for Marbury and Penny. For all of that we could have improved the team more. Pheonix has used that money they freed up by getting rid of Marbury to sign up Steve Nash who is doing a great job</div> If you think about it, Phoenix signed all those great players in the summer and that's why they have the best record in the NBA so far. New York has become like a place where teams dump their players with bad contracts. TT, and Penny are great examples. New York has been more attractive now that Layden is gone so in addition to that we can have legit cap room to sign them. Knowing Isiah he wont do it

. I think he wants to be a decent team now while in all actuality sometimes you need to go backwards a bit, to go forward. Just like Phoenix.

Sorry for the rumors guys. We get them just about everyday and I know some of you are getting tired about the rumors that never happen. But, I guess that's what makes New York. Let's just be informed about all of them so if one of those 1/100 rumors come true it wont be too much of a surprise. Lol.

Btw, Happy Holidays to everyone at JustBBall. Especially to those in the Knick forum like Tribute to H2O, Knicks Analyst, Bobby Escobar, Penny aka Primetime, Ming637, Tha Knick, TNG Impact, and the rest of you guys. You have really made me feel welcome and at home. Thankyou

 

[Streetball2k5]

From a Knick point of view, I think that the best bet of the listed players in that article, is Stromile Swift. He is very athletic, can play both PF and Centre, and is still young. Also, it seems like he wants to test the free agent market at the end of the season.

I don't think the Knicks should go after either Walker, or Abdur-Rahim, because to me, they are both cancers, that take more shots than they should take. Walker wants the ball 80% of the time on the court, and even likes to play point every once in a while. I don't think the combination of Marbury and Crawford will be too pleased with someone like that. The only plus I see with Walker is, he can shoot, and can run the floor well.

Shareef, on the other hand, plays SF/PF, and that is a position I think the Knicks are doing pretty well in, especially for the future. Sweetney needs his minutes too, and I actually think he would develop into a solid starter if he got the minutes he wants/needs. We all know that Crawford and Marbury want the ball at all times, so I think at this point in time, the Knicks should build around them, and getting players who want the ball a lot, isn't going to work. A solid centre is what the Knicks need.

Ilgauskas would be a great addition, but the chances of signing him are minimal. He will want a long term contract that pays 40+ million, I would think. To me, he isn't worth that. He has aged over the last few years, and it shows, he has been hit by the injury bug a few times, and I don't think he will get any better than he already is. The only way I see him even leaving Cleveland, is if the Cavs are forced to pay a free agent big time money, say, Redd?

With TT, Mohammed, Baker, Hardaway and Norris's contracts all expiring after next season, I think that this off-season is the best time to start dealing these players in return for a big man, or some solid role players. Right now isn't exactly right time to start sending off expiring contracts to free up cap room, to me, because the Knicks are still contending in the East, and could easily end up with the 3rd seed in the playoffs.

I say, this offseason is the time to send away expiring contracts to free up cap room to go after a Stromile Swift. Unless they are making a deal that is freeing up cap room and bringing in a player in the last year of his contract, I don't think the Knicks should make a deal right now.