How interesting are the Knicks now?

[Eric_Suede]

After all the hoopla of the trade deadline. I took some time and looked at the knicks roster. You know, not that they're world beaters or contenders but if Mcgrady is healthy (i'm going to be honest , I've all but forgotten about him since he's been out, but a friend of mine told me he was healthy just not playing cause of the rift he had with the Rockets) and he's somewhat back in his old form , then you have Gallinari & Harrington and Eddie sparking the bench..... Anyone else agree with me when I think that the knicks have improved and they're going to be kind of scrappy.
 By the way , I don't like the house for nate trade. Not just in the locker room but I think Eddie fit in better with our style of play. I hope i'm wrong but I wasn't thrilled about yesterdays trade.

[Cman]

The Knicks will be interesting if and only if they get a quality FA this summer -- LBJ, Wade, Bosh, Amare.

[JSD]

After all the hoopla of the trade deadline. I took some time and looked at the knicks roster. You know, not that they're world beaters or contenders but if Mcgrady is healthy (i'm going to be honest , I've all but forgotten about him since he's been out, but a friend of mine told me he was healthy just not playing cause of the rift he had with the Rockets) and he's somewhat back in his old form , then you have Gallinari & Harrington and Eddie sparking the bench..... Anyone else agree with me when I think that the knicks have improved and they're going to be kind of scrappy.
 By the way , I don't like the house for nate trade. Not just in the locker room but I think Eddie fit in better with our style of play. I hope i'm wrong but I wasn't thrilled about yesterdays trade.

The Knicks won't even sniff the playoffs and when the season ends McGrady and Harrington will be renounced and booted out the door.

The thing that most interests me about this team is what they do this upcoming offseason. Donny Walsh has done a pretty darn good job clearing space and setting his team up to make a splash this summer. Especially considering what he inherited from Isiah Thomas. Is it possible for a GM to win executive of the year with a 25 win team? 

[Eric_Suede]

I hear you, I agree One more marquee player would boost their standings. I still believe people need to let that Lebron thing go. The Cavs are going to do everything in their power to keep James. I've said this during the Iverson debates, this reminds me of that false hope the Clippers had when Kobe was a free agent. Best chance the Knicks have is to acquire Bosh. They'd also need a high quality pg. I still think Duhon is atrocious and AI would've been good for new york.  . AI,Mcgrady,House,Harrington with David lee in the middle... Wouldn't have been too shabby of a roster.

[ScoobyDoo]

New Yrok's stated goal over the summer is to sign two max contracts..

David Lee
Harrington
McGrady
Wilson Chandler
Duhon

One of Bosh or Amare and one of LeBron, Wade, or Joe Johnson?
Use your mid level on a decent free agent center?

I'm interested. They're swinging for the fences and if they get their two max guys, they could be right there next season.

Remains to be seen how it plays out for them.

[Donoghus]

I think they'll be lucky to get one max guy.

My gut tells me that they'll be scrambling and probably overpaying for lesser talent come offseason.

[Eric_Suede]

After all the hoopla of the trade deadline. I took some time and looked at the knicks roster. You know, not that they're world beaters or contenders but if Mcgrady is healthy (i'm going to be honest , I've all but forgotten about him since he's been out, but a friend of mine told me he was healthy just not playing cause of the rift he had with the Rockets) and he's somewhat back in his old form , then you have Gallinari & Harrington and Eddie sparking the bench..... Anyone else agree with me when I think that the knicks have improved and they're going to be kind of scrappy.
 By the way , I don't like the house for nate trade. Not just in the locker room but I think Eddie fit in better with our style of play. I hope i'm wrong but I wasn't thrilled about yesterdays trade.

The Knicks won't even sniff the playoffs and when the season ends McGrady and Harrington will be renounced and booted out the door.

The thing that most interests me about this team is what they do this upcoming offseason. Donny Walsh has done a pretty darn good job clearing space and setting his team up to make a splash this summer. Especially considering what he inherited from Isiah Thomas. Is it possible for a GM to win executive of the year with a 25 win team? 

I agree I don't think the Knicks are playoff bound but they'll HAVE to keep someone from the roster. (someone like Mcgrady).A big time free agent isn't interested in a losing situation. Again KG would NOT have wanted to come here to Boston if it weren't for the Ray Allen deal. I say the same is true, If the knicks let all their "name" players go (namely Mcgrady or some other big named player) , what would attract a big time FA. Why would lebron for example leave the a roster of SHaq,Jamison,Ilgauskus,Mo will, for the woeful non-playoff sniffing Knicks? Just for the "Joys" of playing in New York? I can't see it. For the Knicks to have a prayer to land a big time person they need some bait.

[JSD]

I think they'll be lucky to get one max guy.

My gut tells me that they'll be scrambling and probably overpaying for lesser talent come offseason.

I don't see that happening. If they can't sign any max guys they could explore  absorbing short term slightly overpaid guys from team's that need financial relief (ala Clippers acquiring Camby). Something like Darren Collison, Julian Wright and Stojakovic for a 2nd rounder? I'm sure those type of deals will be out there.

[JSD]

After all the hoopla of the trade deadline. I took some time and looked at the knicks roster. You know, not that they're world beaters or contenders but if Mcgrady is healthy (i'm going to be honest , I've all but forgotten about him since he's been out, but a friend of mine told me he was healthy just not playing cause of the rift he had with the Rockets) and he's somewhat back in his old form , then you have Gallinari & Harrington and Eddie sparking the bench..... Anyone else agree with me when I think that the knicks have improved and they're going to be kind of scrappy.
 By the way , I don't like the house for nate trade. Not just in the locker room but I think Eddie fit in better with our style of play. I hope i'm wrong but I wasn't thrilled about yesterdays trade.

The Knicks won't even sniff the playoffs and when the season ends McGrady and Harrington will be renounced and booted out the door.

The thing that most interests me about this team is what they do this upcoming offseason. Donny Walsh has done a pretty darn good job clearing space and setting his team up to make a splash this summer. Especially considering what he inherited from Isiah Thomas. Is it possible for a GM to win executive of the year with a 25 win team? 

I agree I don't think the Knicks are playoff bound but they'll HAVE to keep someone from the roster. (someone like Mcgrady).A big time free agent isn't interested in a losing situation. Again KG would NOT have wanted to come here to Boston if it weren't for the Ray Allen deal. I say the same is true, If the knicks let all their "name" players go (namely Mcgrady or some other big named player) , what would attract a big time FA. Why would lebron for example leave the a roster of SHaq,Jamison,Ilgauskus,Mo will, for the woeful non-playoff sniffing Knicks? Just for the "Joys" of playing in New York? I can't see it. For the Knicks to have a prayer to land a big time person they need some bait.

I think you are missing the money and market aspect that comes along with the bright lights of New York City. For the upcoming free agent class, the potential advertising earning power that comes with playing in the Mecca of the world more than substitutes the lack of an aging oft injured Tracy McGrady. Not to mention the fact that resigning McGrady would limit their free agent money and no longer allow them to go after two max guys.

He's out the door the moment the season ends.

[Cman]

I think they'll be lucky to get one max guy.

My gut tells me that they'll be scrambling and probably overpaying for lesser talent come offseason.

My guess is that they will get some relatively big name FAs, but not the guys they are hoping to get. 

I could see Tyson Chandler and Michael Redd (on the assumption both opt out).

PS: I really think LBJ will stay in Cleveland.

[Eric_Suede]

After all the hoopla of the trade deadline. I took some time and looked at the knicks roster. You know, not that they're world beaters or contenders but if Mcgrady is healthy (i'm going to be honest , I've all but forgotten about him since he's been out, but a friend of mine told me he was healthy just not playing cause of the rift he had with the Rockets) and he's somewhat back in his old form , then you have Gallinari & Harrington and Eddie sparking the bench..... Anyone else agree with me when I think that the knicks have improved and they're going to be kind of scrappy.
 By the way , I don't like the house for nate trade. Not just in the locker room but I think Eddie fit in better with our style of play. I hope i'm wrong but I wasn't thrilled about yesterdays trade.

The Knicks won't even sniff the playoffs and when the season ends McGrady and Harrington will be renounced and booted out the door.

The thing that most interests me about this team is what they do this upcoming offseason. Donny Walsh has done a pretty darn good job clearing space and setting his team up to make a splash this summer. Especially considering what he inherited from Isiah Thomas. Is it possible for a GM to win executive of the year with a 25 win team? 

I agree I don't think the Knicks are playoff bound but they'll HAVE to keep someone from the roster. (someone like Mcgrady).A big time free agent isn't interested in a losing situation. Again KG would NOT have wanted to come here to Boston if it weren't for the Ray Allen deal. I say the same is true, If the knicks let all their "name" players go (namely Mcgrady or some other big named player) , what would attract a big time FA. Why would lebron for example leave the a roster of SHaq,Jamison,Ilgauskus,Mo will, for the woeful non-playoff sniffing Knicks? Just for the "Joys" of playing in New York? I can't see it. For the Knicks to have a prayer to land a big time person they need some bait.

I think you are missing the money and market aspect that comes along with the bright lights of New York City. For the upcoming free agent class, the potential advertising earning power that comes with playing in the Mecca of the world more than substitutes the lack of an aging oft injured Tracy McGrady. Not to mention the fact that resigning McGrady would limit their free agent money and no longer allow them to go after two max guys.

He's out the door the moment the season ends.

There's also a flipside to the money & market & bright lights of NYC. If a big time FA were to go there and they're STILL losers, that would be stress times 10. Cleveland has never won a title. If they don't win it this year, fans will be dissapointed but I still think they'll be in Lebrons corner. Now if he went to NY and they were to be losers... Think of all the media scrutiny and the baggage of dealing with , Crazed , spike lee-like Knick fans. Sorry I don't buy it. I can't see Lebron or Wade doing it. I'm of the opinion that the knicks are going to be scrambling and end up overpaying someone. Again Going after Bosh would be their best bet. Lebron will be in a cavs uniform until the final days of his career. (his last 1-2 years in the league)
  Don't get me wrong , it doesn't hurt to try but those fans who are just 100% sure that Lebron will be a knick soon and placing all their hopes & excitement for next season, I believe they'll be just as dissapointed as we were when we just NEW tim duncan was going to be in green.

[Eric_Suede]

As for wade, If i'm not mistaken isn't he from chi-town. His ex-wife & kids are there as well right? If that's correct I think that could be a factor as well for Wade to pick chicago over the knicks. I could be wrong though.

[Celtic]

I live in NYC and was listening to the radio after the trades went down. Once broadcaster finally did the job none of the others wanted to do. He broke down the salary cap and the Knick's payroll. Everyone here in NY seems to think that it is a lock that they are going to sign Lebron and Wade, of course this is an extreme long shot, but you have to look at the financial reality of it.

If the Knicks were to sign both James and Wade to max contracts they, that would leave them with a team of Wade, Lebron, Gallinari, Chandler and Toney Douglas, and they would be pretty much at the salary cap. The entire remainder of the team would have to be filled with minimum contract players. Is this a situation that would interest Wade and Lebron, sure they would be playing together, but the rest of team would be comprised of complete garbage.

However, look at Miami's situation. If they were to sign Lebron and Wade, they would be right around 40 million dollars, using this year's salary cap of 57.7 million (which is going to drop) they could field a very good team with the remaining cash.

Just imagine if Miami were to make these signings (I think these prices are mostly realistic).

Shaq - 8 mill
Udonis Haslem - 3 mill
Jason Williams - 2 mill
Raja Bell - 2 mill
Eddie House - 2 mill

This puts them at right about the salary cap.

Marcus Camby - 4-5 mill using the MLE

That's a line up of:

Jason Williams/Mario Chalmers
Dwyane Wade/Eddie House
Lebron James/Raja Bell
Michael Beasley/Udonis Haslem
Shaq O'Neal/Marcus Camby

I am sure there may be some flaws in my plan, this may not work in the salary cap structure, someone that knows more than me can correct me. However, if this situation could play out, Miami could be very, very scary. Don't forget, Miami has no income tax and it has South Beach, two things that players will find very desirable. If Lebron and Wade are really as interested in playing with each other as it seems, the rest of teams in the NBA could be in trouble.