Antawn Jamison to DC (for Stackhouse, Laettner, and No. 5) is a done deal…is T-Mac to Houston next? Or will the Diesel do Dallas? Last year’s NBA Draft Day was a bit of a dud as far as big trades go, but I have high hopes for tonight’s festivities, even if the Knicks don’t have a first-rounder and will probably stand pat.
Tag: NBA Trades
Heed Rasheed.
According to his friends, his agent, and everyone else, Rasheed Wallace really wants to be a Knick, either by the trading deadline later today or as a free agent this summer. Well, I say let him. And, heck, let’s get Doleac back while we’re at it. Update: The Pistons get Wallace…for now.
Wheelin’ and Dealin’.
Removing the last vestiges of the Layden era, Knicks GM Isiah Thomas makes another big trade, sending Keith Van Horn to Milwaukee for Tim Thomas and Atlanta’s Nazr Mohammed. (We also gave up Michael Doleac and a second-round pick.) Hmm. True, Van Horn is inconsistent, but he’s been playing well lately…and better than Thomas. Still, Thomas and Mohammed are both athletic players, and this might end up turning out for the best if Isiah can light a fire under ’em. (As for reports that we’ll pick up a troubled Vin Baker off waivers, all I can say is, I hope not.)
Blockbuster!
Ok, let me apologize again to Isiah Thomas. While I’m a bit concerned about all the draft picks locked up here (to say nothing of losing Macej Lampe and Milos Vujanic, two possible big-time players in the not-so-distant future), the Marbury/Penny for McDyess/Ward/Eisley trade today has to go down as another impressive move by our new GM. Starbury has been a bit of a hit-or-miss head case on his first three teams, but it’s been his dream to play for his hometown Knicks, so hopefully he’ll make the most of it. Penny ain’t what he used to be, but I’d expect him to score points in bunches off the bench every fifth game or so. As for what we gave up, it’s kinda sad that the McDyess experiment never amounted to much…but it already seems clear that it’s going to take at least the rest of the year for him to play to form again. Charlie Ward had a good decade with the Knicks, but he’s been trade bait for so long that I doubt he’s surprised. And the sheer fact that Isaiah found a taker for Howard Eisley and his glutted contract is amazing to me. So all in all, a great trade here for New York, even if we may get burned in the long-run by all the disappearing draft picks and projects. Update: Aldridge weighs in.
Knicks Resurgent.
Ok, clearly I owe Isiah Thomas an apology. In the past week, the revitalized Knickerbockers have won four in a row, and three of ’em were extended garbage-time blowouts (20, 28, and 29 points respectively.) Moreover, Thomas somehow convinced the Rockets to take Clarence Weatherspoon for Moochie Norris, which is a great deal for NY any way you cut it. Of course, the real test will come against real opponents (not just Miami and Orlando) early next month…but still, I’m quite surprised by the way Thomas has engineered this turnaround so quickly. Let’s hope it lasts.
‘Toine Gone.
The NBA world is abuzz over the trading of Celtics PF Antoine Walker for Mavs C Raef La Frentz yesterday. While my Celts-fan friends are currently aghast, I actually think this not all that bad a trade for Boston. Yes, Walker is a much better player than La Frentz. Still, ‘Toine’s not the type of guy to lead you to the Finals…if anything, he’s more likely to shoot you out of the first round. The Celts are basically taking the hit now to rebuild a contender around Paul Pierce, and I think in the long run that makes sense. As for the Mavs, I know Walker’s an All-Star, but his weaknesses — soft D and undisciplined O — are the Mavs’ weaknesses. If I were them, I’d have looked for a more tenacious defender and rebounder…I like Danny Fortson, but frankly he ain’t gonna cut it in the West.
Mutombo to MSG?
The Sixers appear to pass on Mutombo, meaning he’s probably Knicks-bound as rumored. Well, since the Post thinks this will actually facilitate the Van Exel trade, I’m all for it. Update: It’s official…Deke’s a Knick.
October Surprise.
Congrats to the Red Sox on their comeback win over the Chokeland A’s last night (and to the Cubs for breaking their 95-year losing streak the night previously.) As y’all know, I don’t normally talk baseball in this space, but Sox-Yankees is one of the classic rivalries in sports. And just in case anyone got the wrong idea from my love for the Knicks, I think Yankee fans are Laker fans are 90’s Cowboys fans are Jordan-era Bulls fans are Man. U fans…i.e, some of the most aggravating, bandwagon-jumping, fair-weather-only hordes in all of sportsdom. Go BoSox all the way. Update: Speaking of the Lake Show, Phil Jackson hints at signing Jordan to replace Kobe for the duration of his trial. Ugh…how bad would that be?
Seeking Deke.
With their earlier designs on Nick Van Exel apparently stalled, the Knicks plan (once again) to try for Dikembe Mutombo. Hmm. I guess having Mutombo around would help the height-challenged Knicks…but if we were looking for a 40-something center, why’d we ever trade Patrick Ewing in the first place?
Knick the Quick.
Word is from Frank Isola that the Knicks are Warriors are discussing a trade that would bring Nick Van Exel to NY. As y’all know, I’ve been really down on this incarnation of the Knickerbockers, particularly with Spree gone for (ugh) Van Horn. But this proposed trade – Van Exel for Thomas and Ward – might turn me around right quick. To my mind, Nick Van Exel is the clutchest guy in the league. There’s nobody – nobody – I’d rather have shooting a last-second fadeaway 3 to win the game. Look at the playoffs last year – he single-handedly willed the Mavs past Portland and Sacramento. Dallas were idiots to trade him…At any rate, I very much hope this goes through – it sounds like such a great trade for NY that I have my doubts.