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New York Knicks (Last Year: 32-50)
Depth Chart:
C: Eddy Curry/Darko Milicic/David Lee?
PF: Al Harrington/Jordan Hill/Jared Jefferies
SF: Wilson Chandler/Danilo Gallinari/Chris Hunter
SG: Larry Hughes/Toney Douglas/Joe Crawford
PG: Chris Duhon/Nate
Robinson?
Head Coach: Mike D’Antoni
(2nd year)
2009-2010 Team Salary: $73.0 million
Projected 2010-2011 Team
Salary: approximately $27.2 million
Off-Season Grade: Barely Pass
Since Donnie Walsh has taken
over the general managerial duties from Isiah Thomas, Walsh has been
progressively undoing the mess Thomas made in New York. He has avoided
taking on bad contracts, tried to unload the crop of terrible contracts
plaguing his roster, and avoided overpaying free agents. This
summer was more of the same.
The Knicks’ only real trade
was swapping the expiring contracts of Quentin Richardson for Darko
Milicic. Walsh let Chris Wilcox walk and signed Jason Williams
to a 1-year deal in hopes of adding some depth at point guard.
The biggest moves however, have involved restricted free agents David
Lee and Nate Robinson. Walsh has held firm on his belief of not
overpaying either player while no team has stepped up to the plate to
try and steal them away. Sure Lee and Robinson are unhappy about
the situation, but now they will enter this season in the final year
of their rookie contracts and will have something to play for: a big
contract next offseason.
Drafting Jordan Hill at No. 8 could be a steal as he appears to be a great fit in Mike D’Antoni’s
up-tempo offense and could potentially develop into a role similar to
the one Amare Stoudamire held for D’Antoni in Phoenix. Buying
the 29th pick from the Lakers and selecting Toney Douglas
gives New York a combo-guard who can score and play defense.
2009-2010 Outlook:
Like last year, expect a lot
of offense and very little defense. But the Knicks franchise can
finally start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Yes,
this upcoming season should be the final year of a string of dismal
years in the Big Apple. In no way should New York compete for a
playoff spot in the East, but the future is looking brighter and brighter.
Keep an eye on Eddy Curry’s
situation. He has two years at almost $22 million left on his
contract, but only played in three games last season. If Curry
can stay healthy and in shape, and have a rebirth type of season for
the Knicks, he could be an attractive trading piece to bring in some more
expiring contracts from a team in need of a big body. Walsh would
love nothing more than to find a suitor and clear more cap space.
Looking Ahead to the Summer of 2010:
LeBron or D-Wade. It’s
that simple. Walsh has put the franchise in a great financial
situation as the Knicks should have at least $25 million to spend next
summer since Darko, Duhon, Harrington, Hughes, Lee and Robinson will
all be unrestricted free agents. There will be plenty of talented
free agents hitting the market and New York is always an enticing place
to play, not only because of its rich basketball history, but because
of the advertising opportunities that become available in the big city.
Landing one of the two aforementioned
Redeem Teamers will be the ultimate prize. Consider this though:
LeBron or Wade will take up a majority of the cap space the Knicks will
have available, leaving little flexibility to bring in a No. 2 type option.
Would LeBron leave a Cleveland team that can compete for an NBA title
for the allure of playing under the bright lights of Madison Square
Garden and have to fight every inch to make the postseason?
If Curry and/or Jared Jefferies can be dealt for expiring deals, the Knicks would then be in a situation to land a LeBron or Wade, AND a guy like Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudamire. Needless to say the Knicks and the summer of 2010 should be entertaining to watch.
2009-10 NBA Power Ranking: 27th
Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]
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