Knicks Roster Needs Trimming
Aug 29th, 2007 by Jason M. Williams
The Knicks currently hold the rights to 17 players for the upcoming 2007-08 season with 16 of them possessing fully guaranteed contracts. The League only allows a maximum of 15 players on the roster. The big question that remains for Isiah Thomas and the Knicks: which two guys won’t make the opening night roster?
Let’s first cancel out the obvious. The starting lineup will consist of Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Zach Randolph, and Eddy Curry. The first five guys off the bench will be David Lee, Renaldo Balkman, Nate Robinson, Jared Jeffries, and Mardy Collins. That leaves newcoming expiring contracts Fred Jones and Dan Dickau, veterans Malik Rose and Jerome James, and potential NBDL fixtures Wilson Chandler, Randolph Morris, and Demetris Nichols. Of course, Zeke would prefer to execute a three-for-one trade; that way, he wouldn’t have to squander two of his assets with buyouts in order to trim his roster to fit under the personnel maximum.
But who would they want to trade? And for whom?
The first name that comes to mind is Ron Artest. However, it is widely believed that the Kings refuse to deal with New York unless they include Lee or Balkman. It seems as if Geoff Petrie is overplaying his hand by expecting to get rising stars in exchange for the much maligned socialite with a pension for making the his organization look foolish - not to mention, Artest is already suspended for the first 7 games, which is nearly ten percent of the entire season. So why not trade the troubled Artest along with the remaining three years on Kenny Thomas’ exorbitant deal in exchange for the $6M in expiring contracts (Jones and Dickau), career starter Jared Jeffries, emerging playmaker Nate Robinson, and a 1st round pick?
That deal would rid the Kings of their primary cause for migrane headaches while immediately freeing up cap space, adding two young players and a potential lottery selection should New York fail to reach the postseason in the more competitve East. It would also bolster the New York starting five and give the fans a hometown hero known for his nasty defense - something the Downy-soft Knicks are currently lacking. This would also trim the Knick roster to a tidy 15 players, which is exactly Zeke’s final offseason mission.
Since it is unlikely the stubborn Petrie will find a deal he likes this summer, that leaves Isiah with the same problem: which two guys to dump? Nichols is still unsigned but is too talented to give up on. Jones and Dickau’s contracts could eventually be the key to a deadline deal that could propel New York into the postseason. Rose is the one guy in the locker room who brings heart and veteran leadership and winning experience. Chandler is Isiah’s latest claim to bolster his already gleaming draft resume. Morris is a youthful and talented big man who could become a very valuable trade chip. And finally, Jerome James - well, we’re not so sure Isiah is ready to admit defeat with the popular big fella.
If it were up to me, I’d shoot for a three-for-one or four-for-two trade. But given the unlikelyhood of Petrie realizing that the market value for his lunatic superstar is nowhere near the heights that he is telling himself, I’d be parting ways with Jerome James and Dan Dickau via buyout.
yea Knicks should trade for Artest, then Kobe will see they are serious about winning and they can trade for him w/o reservations on his part.
You have given many Knick fans further reason to pine over the potential acquistiton of Ron Ron myself included, I love David lee and Renaldo Balkman but i’m not greedy i understand that to get something you have to give something. I am willing to at the least include Balkman in some discussions with Petri in good faith he’s no idiot. Maybe he feels Isiah is lowballing him. I desperatly want artest on the knicks especially with Isiah coaching , Knicks make this happen please!!!
jerome james is as good as a sack of potatoes.
We all have our fantacsy and would like to get something for next to nothing. Getting Artest and having to give up valuable assets such as Balkman or Lee makes no sense from the Knicks point of view. Coupled with one or the other the Knick may have to give up a first round draft pick. What happens if Artest implodes during the season?
What would the Knicks have then? The best move is to wait out this season and then sign Artest when he becomes a free agent.
The other issue is Kobe. Do the Knicks realy need this guy based on what they will have to give up? A move for Kobe would leave the Knicks gutted. The cost of acquiring either of these guys, Kobe and Artest would be too expensive, leaving the team trying to put a nucleus together. Lee, Morris, Collins, Crawford and others would have to be included to get Kobe. The Knicks should not do that deal.
I understand how you can make that statement patrick but what you are asking knick fans to do is wait and see. I for one am a die hard fan who has waited patiently for many years and now realize that you have to gamble a little to be successful in NY sports. The Knicks gambled on Larry johnson and we enjoyed always made the post season, they gambled on Latrell Sprewell and we went to the finals. i belive that the competitive nature that Artest brings will be a shot in the arm for this team whose best defender is Quienten Richardson. I want MY Knicks in the post season Now. NY deserves this we have waited since 73 for the knicks to contend for a championship if the possibility to acquire Artest arises and the Knicks set by and allow him to go to Miama or New Jersey we will all be sorry. Regarding Kobe I totally agree you we will become an expansion team with all we would have to sacrifice to get him. That is not what we need besides I like the Idea of earning a Championship with a core group of guys who are not considered to win. Nobody thought Detroit would beat the lakers for the title they one a few years back with a bunch of second teir star players either.