Help the Knicks get back on track (Trade idea)

[Chris]

The Knicks seem on the edge of panicking, and with their current salary structure, it could be difficult for them to make any major moves without the help of a team like the C's.  So, maybe it's time to take advantage of that.

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=knefwsg

Boston gets Amare, and the right to swap 2015 picks with NY

NY gets Wallace, Jameer Nelson, Spencer Hawes, Courtney Lee

Philly gets Humphries and Shumpert

Orlando gets Hardaway Jr.

Why for Boston? - Clear the books in the summer of 2015, and get a potentially valuable asset from a desperate team (especially if Melo walks)

Why for NY?  Add a lot of veteran depth filling major needs at basically every position

Why for Philly? gets them over the salary minimum, gets them a nice young piece who could create a pretty dangerous backcourt in the future, while also strengthening their tanking abilities this year

Why for Orlando?  Salary relief, tanking, and a prospect

This deal would put the C's probably in more of a tanking position, and removes some flexibility financially the next two years, but puts them in a great position financially in the summer of 2015, which could be a critical time.  And who knows, Amare may actually help this team a bit, or at least make for some more fun basketball at times.

[gpap]

Meh, no thanks.

If the Celts continue to remain with the rest of the pack, I want nothing to do with helping other teams in trades except the Celtics.

The Sports Hub, WEEI crew and Gary Tanguay can keep dreaming about tanking 'til their blue in the face.

[Chris]

Meh, no thanks.

If the Celts continue to remain with the rest of the pack, I want nothing to do with helping other teams in trades except the Celtics.

The Sports Hub, WEEI crew and Gary Tanguay can keep dreaming about tanking 'til their blue in the face.

While this is framed as helping the Knicks, this deal is really about putting the C's in a great position for the future.  That Knicks pick could be absolute gold if Melo walks, because they would be going into the 2014-2015 season locked down by Wallace and Lee's contracts, along with Chandler, Smith and Felton, basically not allowing them to bring in reinforcements.  So the C's could actually try to turn things around quick for next season and STILL have a high lottery pick in 2015 to go along with a ton of cap space. 

[gpap]

Meh, no thanks.

If the Celts continue to remain with the rest of the pack, I want nothing to do with helping other teams in trades except the Celtics.

The Sports Hub, WEEI crew and Gary Tanguay can keep dreaming about tanking 'til their blue in the face.

While this is framed as helping the Knicks, this deal is really about putting the C's in a great position for the future.  That Knicks pick could be absolute gold if Melo walks, because they would be going into the 2014-2015 season locked down by Wallace and Lee's contracts, along with Chandler, Smith and Felton, basically not allowing them to bring in reinforcements.  So the C's could actually try to turn things around quick for next season and STILL have a high lottery pick in 2015 to go along with a ton of cap space.

No, I understand what you're saying. I figured as much when I saw Wallace and Lee outgoing.

However, if you're going to go that route, you probably don't even need Philly and Orlando.

Also, in addition to Amar'e, I'd personally like another player from the Knicks as well.

Something like Wallace, Humph OR Bass and Lee for Amar'e and either Hardaway or Shumpert.

Also, I thought the Knicks didn't have any more 1st round picks 'til 2018 or 2019?

[Kane3387]

Chris,

I like this trade. It's definitely feasible.

Nice job. Tp

[manl_lui]

Meh, no thanks.

If the Celts continue to remain with the rest of the pack, I want nothing to do with helping other teams in trades except the Celtics.

The Sports Hub, WEEI crew and Gary Tanguay can keep dreaming about tanking 'til their blue in the face.

While this is framed as helping the Knicks, this deal is really about putting the C's in a great position for the future.  That Knicks pick could be absolute gold if Melo walks, because they would be going into the 2014-2015 season locked down by Wallace and Lee's contracts, along with Chandler, Smith and Felton, basically not allowing them to bring in reinforcements.  So the C's could actually try to turn things around quick for next season and STILL have a high lottery pick in 2015 to go along with a ton of cap space.

No, I understand what you're saying. I figured as much when I saw Wallace and Lee outgoing.

However, if you're going to go that route, you probably don't even need Philly and Orlando.

Also, in addition to Amar'e, I'd personally like another player from the Knicks as well.

Something like Wallace, Humph OR Bass and Lee for Amar'e and either Hardaway or Shumpert.

Also, I thought the Knicks didn't have any more 1st round picks 'til 2018 or 2019?

actually I like it, we do it without trading Rondo, Sully, Bradley or Green

regardless of Melo walks or not, we still have their first. And if he does walk, we're golden...

I'd do this, and I think Amar'e could be a low risk high reward. When his contract ends, we can offer him something small. I like to bet if Amar'e is healthy he can really help a contending team

[LooseCannon]

Also, I thought the Knicks didn't have any more 1st round picks 'til 2018 or 2019?

You have to have a first round pick every other year, but it doesn't have to be your own.  In years when they are not allowed to give away their pick, they can still agree to give the other team the right to swap picks.

[wdleehi]

If Boston can replace Humphries for another piece, I am ok with the idea. 



Humphries as an expiring contract should be able to bring back an actual 1st for a bad contract like Amare.  (not just the swap)

[Chris]

If Boston can replace Humphries for another piece, I am ok with the idea. 



Humphries as an expiring contract should be able to bring back an actual 1st for a bad contract like Amare.  (not just the swap)

But they are also getting rid of Wallace, and Lee (although Lee shouldnt be that hard to get rid of).

[nostar]

Philly would jump at this deal. Hawes for a huge expiring and Shump...Every GM in the league makes this trade.

Orlando is also doing well here by getting a younger, higher upside PG in Hardaway while moving salary with Nelson. No downside there.

We consolidate our bad contracts and get a maybe asset in a NY swap pick (which I think will be still be better than ours so we wouldn't swap).

NY gets absolutely leveled in this trade. They tie up their cap, they give away both of their young trade assets and they get old, expensive role players in return. I'm not even sure NY gets better after this trade. It would be a total panic button move. GM-firing move I think.

I think a Shump/Amare for Wallace/Hump is more plausible and weeds out helping Philly or Orlando out-tank us. I'd also rather have Shump than a 2015 swap, at least right now because I think Melo is staying in NY.

[connor]

If Boston can replace Humphries for another piece, I am ok with the idea. 



Humphries as an expiring contract should be able to bring back an actual 1st for a bad contract like Amare.  (not just the swap)

But they are also getting rid of Wallace, and Lee (although Lee shouldnt be that hard to get rid of).

I think it comes down to what you think the chances Melo resigns with the Knicks are. If he resigns they'll have a better record than us next year and we only get rid of Wallace's contract in this deal (which is nothing to scoff at).

If he doesn't resign, then the Knicks could be pretty [dang] awful and depending on how their summer goes, we could be getting a serious steal.

It's the trade equivalent of buying a scratch ticket. I'm a firm believer that Melo is staying in New York, so I think I'd rather try and get a guy like Hardaway Jr. instead of swapping picks. It's a safer bet, and we still can dump Wallace's 3rd year.

[Chris]

Philly would jump at this deal. Hawes for a huge expiring and Shump...Every GM in the league makes this trade.

Actually, I think Philly could be one of the bigger hold-ups in the deal.  Hawes has been arguably the best center in the East this season.  He's averaging 17 points, 10 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, while shooting 53%/49%/74%.

He is an expiring contract himself, and a very reasonable (and easy to trade for) cap number.  If he keeps this up much longer could cause a bidding war by contenders.

[Bankshot]

I don't get why we should help the Knicks get back on track.

[connor]

Philly would jump at this deal. Hawes for a huge expiring and Shump...Every GM in the league makes this trade.

Actually, I think Philly could be one of the bigger hold-ups in the deal.  Hawes has been arguably the best center in the East this season.  He's averaging 17 points, 10 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, while shooting 53%/49%/74%.

He is an expiring contract himself, and a very reasonable (and easy to trade for) cap number.  If he keeps this up much longer could cause a bidding war by contenders.

I completely agree. At first blush, Hawes for Shump and Hump doesn't sound like a great deal for the Knicks, but when you look past the names and actually look at the numbers Hawes is killing it this season. 17 and 10, shooting +50% from the floor is ridiculous.

I'm not sure if he can keep it up, but if he does he should be able to net a lot more around the deadline.

[wdleehi]

If Boston can replace Humphries for another piece, I am ok with the idea. 



Humphries as an expiring contract should be able to bring back an actual 1st for a bad contract like Amare.  (not just the swap)

But they are also getting rid of Wallace, and Lee (although Lee shouldnt be that hard to get rid of).

I think the Celtics can get a better return for Humphries expiring contract (or possible cap space) then the chance they may be able to get a good pick in a swap with the Knicks and unload Wallace.



Take Humphries out, add bass going to NY,

Take Nelson out and send Moore to 76ers.



It would work.