The Knicks offer the full MLE to Grant Hill!

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

The Knicks will try to use their $5.7 million mid-level exception on Grant Hill, who accepted an invitation to New York Monday for a recruiting visit, according to a source.

"Hill's a class act," Mike D'Antoni said Wednesday. "He didn't miss a game last year. I think he's one of the best free agents out there."

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60275/20090702/knicks_recruiting_grant_hill/

Wow. I guess I didn't see that one coming... the Knicks are crazy to offer Hill the full MLE. He hasn't signed with them yet but I can't see him refusing this deal... bad news for us.

Random question: is G-Hill's wife Canadian?

[Jon Niednagel]

Happy to see Hill go elsewhere. Does anyone really believe he'll play the kind of D necessary to win a title? Same thing with Anthony Parker. The sooner they're both off the table, the happier I'll be.

And who would want to be Pierce's backup?

Fair question. Personally, I like Dahntay Jones IF the rest of our second unit has guys who can put the ball in the basket (Sheed, Marbury while not perfect, can score). Josh Childress will probably cost too much and have better options but I like him. And I haven't seen him play enough to know if he can guard the 3, but is Hakim Warrick fleet enough of foot to handle the job?

Failing all that, I wonder if we can pry someone lose with the Scal/TA contracts as the season progresses - some SF that's having a stellar defensive year.

I think Nocioni might be had for Scal and Tony, and he would fit nicely.

[D Dub]

Happy to see Hill go elsewhere. Does anyone really believe he'll play the kind of D necessary to win a title? Same thing with Anthony Parker. The sooner they're both off the table, the happier I'll be.

And who would want to be Pierce's backup?

Fair question. Personally, I like Dahntay Jones IF the rest of our second unit has guys who can put the ball in the basket (Sheed, Marbury while not perfect, can score). Josh Childress will probably cost too much and have better options but I like him. And I haven't seen him play enough to know if he can guard the 3, but is Hakim Warrick fleet enough of foot to handle the job?

Failing all that, I wonder if we can pry someone lose with the Scal/TA contracts as the season progresses - some SF that's having a stellar defensive year.

I gotta give you a TP, FallGuy - you and me are on the exact same page.  Jones and Chil are great options but might end up costing us too much (assuming our MLE goes to Sheed), and Hill and Parker are just injuries waiting to happen --- but Hakim Warrick continues to be a guy who really intrigues me.

He is a bit of a gamble considering he's only played in Memphis, but in four seasons now he has established himself as a quality rotation player who can play either forward position.  Were talking about a former NCAA champion who has put up 10pts 5reb for his career on 50% shooting, and at the age of 27 is about to enter the prime of his career.  

I can't see Memphis matching a longer term deal for him.  Their shopping for PF's in a PF rich market, and see Rudy Gay as their long term starter at SF.  A Scal-like 5yr/15mil deal might be enough to get Chris Wallace to let him go.  And with all the other FA's out there, who else is gonna make that offer?

In our system, Warrick could thrive just as Ariza has in LA off the bench.  And he shores up two needs nicely for us - a lengthy defensive minded backup for Pierce, and PF with shotblocking ability off the bench.  He'd really be a perfect fit for us now and in the future -- and at a bargain price, imho.

[Jon]

I wouldn't say it's in the bag yet.  With Hill's health, this could be his last shot at a title.  It certainly isn't coming with the Knicks 

[DJ Bento Box]

I don't understand how anyone expects to get some of the players you're talking about with a MLE.....

Ariza: 24, just coming off a championship season where he showed tremendous defensive upside and solid 3 point shooting.

Travis Outlaw: 24, with tremendous upside and coming off a season where he was able to play more minutes and show an ability to shoot a consistent 3.

Grant Hill: Your classic vet "glue guy" who despite his age has averaged 70 games the last two seasons at about 30 mpg and has been one of the Suns most consistent players.

These 2 players are either looking at big, multi-year contracts or in the case of Hill, the full MLE willingly given to him by either a young, up and coming team in need of a veteran presence or a contender looking for that last piece to put them over the top.

Barnes and Parker are legitimate vets and the only realistic options.

[FallGuy]

Happy to see Hill go elsewhere. Does anyone really believe he'll play the kind of D necessary to win a title? Same thing with Anthony Parker. The sooner they're both off the table, the happier I'll be.

And who would want to be Pierce's backup?

Fair question. Personally, I like Dahntay Jones IF the rest of our second unit has guys who can put the ball in the basket (Sheed, Marbury while not perfect, can score). Josh Childress will probably cost too much and have better options but I like him. And I haven't seen him play enough to know if he can guard the 3, but is Hakim Warrick fleet enough of foot to handle the job?

Failing all that, I wonder if we can pry someone lose with the Scal/TA contracts as the season progresses - some SF that's having a stellar defensive year.

I think Nocioni might be had for Scal and Tony, and he would fit nicely.

I think he's definitely on Danny's list for an in-season move. I think he would become an expiring contract the summer KG expires too, so his contract would have trade value, even if he doesn't. That said, he's not my top choice.

[Jon Niednagel]

Happy to see Hill go elsewhere. Does anyone really believe he'll play the kind of D necessary to win a title? Same thing with Anthony Parker. The sooner they're both off the table, the happier I'll be.

And who would want to be Pierce's backup?

Fair question. Personally, I like Dahntay Jones IF the rest of our second unit has guys who can put the ball in the basket (Sheed, Marbury while not perfect, can score). Josh Childress will probably cost too much and have better options but I like him. And I haven't seen him play enough to know if he can guard the 3, but is Hakim Warrick fleet enough of foot to handle the job?

Failing all that, I wonder if we can pry someone lose with the Scal/TA contracts as the season progresses - some SF that's having a stellar defensive year.

I gotta give you a TP, FallGuy - you and me are on the exact same page.  Jones and Chil are great options but might end up costing us too much (assuming our MLE goes to Sheed), and Hill and Parker are just injuries waiting to happen --- but Hakim Warrick continues to be a guy who really intrigues me.

He is a bit of a gamble considering he's only played in Memphis, but in four seasons now he has established himself as a quality rotation player who can play either forward position.  Were talking about a former NCAA champion who has put up 10pts 5reb for his career on 50% shooting, and at the age of 27 is about to enter the prime of his career.  

I can't see Memphis matching a longer term deal for him.  Their shopping for PF's in a PF rich market, and see Rudy Gay as their long term starter at SF.  A Scal-like 5yr/15mil deal might be enough to get Chris Wallace to let him go.  And with all the other FA's out there, who else is gonna make that offer?

In our system, Warrick could thrive just as Ariza has in LA off the bench.  And he shores up two needs nicely for us - a lengthy defensive minded backup for Pierce, and PF with shotblocking ability off the bench.  He'd really be a perfect fit for us now and in the future -- and at a bargain price, imho.

I like Warrick, but I don't think he has ever been coveted for his defense. He is known for offense and would be a bad fit if you're looking for a defensive specialist to backup Paul. Also, Memphis will match any bargain price for him. I agree he could be had if we wanted to overpay a little, but I would rather look to use our expiring contracts to pick up a useful player in a trade.

*edited for a typo

[crownsy]

in my opinion hill's slightly too old.
we need an explosive SF off the bench.

Bill walker likes your idea's, and begs the celtics to subscribe to your newsletter

[celticinorlando]

i'm guessing that parker will be the big wing target

[crownsy]

i'm guessing that parker will be the big wing target

will parker come for the LLE though?

If rumors are true, we just locked up our MLE for sheed until he decides one way or another (come to boston sheed )

[SCBirdman]

What about Jamario Moon and Matt Barnes? I think these guys are better than Parker.

[RayRay4MVP]

The Knicks will try to use their $5.7 million mid-level exception on Grant Hill, who accepted an invitation to New York Monday for a recruiting visit, according to a source.

"Hill's a class act," Mike D'Antoni said Wednesday. "He didn't miss a game last year. I think he's one of the best free agents out there."

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60275/20090702/knicks_recruiting_grant_hill/

Wow. I guess I didn't see that one coming... the Knicks are crazy to offer Hill the full MLE. He hasn't signed with them yet but I can't see him refusing this deal... bad news for us.

Random question: is G-Hill's wife Canadian?

She is from Ontario.

[Evantime34]

Don't think he signs with the Knicks for 5.7 probably goes to a contender for half that. I think/hope he wants to win. If he does play for the Knicks the back up wing market is dwindling. I'm ok with D. Jones but I also wouldn't mind the winner of the Giddens, Walker battle to get some minutes.

[johnnyrondo]

Larry Hughes and Grant Hill as your shooters? I thought D'Antoni liked shooters?

[Prof. Clutch]

Love Grant Hill as a player and as the class act that he is.  I appreciate him being able to overcome what were said to be definitively career ending injuries.

I'll be sad to see him go to the knicks because I think their current franchise doesn't amount to much of anything.  I'd like to see him go to a big time contender.