It seems the Knicks were a LOT closer to trading David Lee than anybody thought, so close the Nuggets players were told he was coming to Denver. No mention on who the trade involved other than Lee but it's interesting to say the least especially since some regulars liked Linas Kleiza a LOT and I would bet he was one of the main ingredients.
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/04/01/is-david-lee-on-the-block/
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It doesnt surprise me to hear of this, after all it seems Lee has been the most sought after Knick since basically coming into the league. I do believe the driving factor for the "almost deal" has to be the free agent issues this coming summer. Although Lee is a double/double machine, its plain to see that he is not all there when it comes to defense. But even so, one thing I would like to comment on. With the exception of riding Patrick Ewing's back for fifteen years, what other draft picks have we ever stayed the course with? Of course one can argue that we were competitive in the 90's and therefore we never needed lottery talent. But I do recall hearing many times that if not for this quick fix or that quick fix, the window was almost shut on New York. Here are a few names we had an opportunity to obtain in the draft in the late 90s: Z Ilgauskas in 96, we picked 18, 19, 21 that year, the Cavs got him at 20. Sure Ewing was still a force at that point, but it was his 11th season and only three years later we would get his french successor. More names are Derek Fisher, Cuttino Mobley (when he was able to play), Ron Artest, Andrei Kirilenko, Michael Redd, DeShawn Stevenson and Emmanuel Ginobli. Sure, other teams passed them up as well, especially in Ginobli's case. But I suppose my point is that New York has always went the quick fix route when trying to maintain or return to that top level. It seems right now we have a four core of draft picks that would be very nice to keep intact. There are those who feel people such as David Lee have already peaked and they could be right. But especially in Lee and Nate's case, if you think about it, this is the first year they have been with the team where the atmostphere has actually been positive and calm. No b.s. distractions behind the scenes rather it was Starbury, Zeke, or even Larry Brown. Could they yet improve more if given more time in Dantoni's system? It is somthing to think about. Dont get me wrong, the big cohona for us right now is indeed 2010 and somthing that will be strange to us all, CAP ROOM!
ReplyDeleteWill
ReplyDeleteYou make a valid point but the cap is a culprit too just like in pro football. At some point you run the risk of overpaying your own draftees which is where we are now. I'd love to keep Lee but two things need to happen to make that possible and to maximize his impact with the Knicks.
1) We need a defensive center so we can move him back to Power Forward. Lee gets beat off the dribble but that seems to be more the rule than the exception in the NBA. A good defensive center likely takes away 2-4 easy baskets opponents score per game. That's a lot of wins.
2) We can't pay 10 million a season for David Lee. That's way too high for a guy who is hitting the ceiling on his upside.
BTW, thanks for reminding me how many guys we missed out on. ; ) You forgot Andrew Bynum and Danny Grainger in 2005 when we took Channing Frye. ; )
I am one of the ones who like Klieza, but not for David Lee. I'd rather keep Lee. Only way I might do the deal is the Nuggets send us Klieza and Chris Anderson. Then if we draft Tyreke Evans, we have everything but a power forward. I'm not sure that makes sense, but it would open the door for Bosh. Is Anderson a center or a power forward?
ReplyDeleteHey whats up guys. Its strange blogging somewhere else but I am very thankful for the invite and to be here, fellas.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, to me we need to be the ones for a change to get the better part of a deal because if it was any other team that had David Lee and we wanted him we'd have to give up picks for the next two drafts and probably Nate or Wilson Chandler.
We have to get the upper hand in this deal and at the very least, if Utah were interested the worst case scenario is a sign and trade for David lee and Paul Millsap to be our PF of the future or at least until 2010.
Lots of possibilities but nonetheless we have to hit a home run.
The missed picks I listed were from the 95-00 era, but of course we could do the next nine drafts as well, lol! And I totally agree Bill, Lee is not worth 10 a year. And in a strange way, if Lee demands that, I believe this could work to our advantage. With the NBA already borrowing money to help franchises this season and the lackluster economy, I honestly dont see other clubs willing to pay Lee that amount either. I could be very well wrong, but I think many FA's this summer are going to be in for some surprises. As for your question ironman, I would classify Chris Anderson a PF myself. But then again with todays league, if your a PF you may as well be a center as well. And I completely agree with you as well jb, we do have to get the upper hands if any deal for David Lee comes to light.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Will, that a lot of 2009 FAs will be in for a rude awakening if they opt out of their existing contracts or if they want to extort their own teams for loads of money to resign.
ReplyDeleteI think that Lee hearing about this trade possibility from Nuggets' players, must have rattled him a bit. How do the Denver players know this information, anyway, and why are they violating tampering laws with our man? I think Ro Balkman is behind all of this, since he was spewing out all of this nonsense that Mike D and Walsh "regreted" trading him and then proceeds to have a zero game versus NY...
If Lee is on the block, than let be for a top flight guy. I don't want a third tier player who is over the hill or a fat scorer-type. Alan Hahn of Newsday did report that David Lee trade rumblings do exist, but in a sign and trade for Chris Bosh. That is a deal worth considering. Actually, tht is a deal I would do.
Ken
and then there were 8..
ReplyDeletehey kids..
this can't be the bill and ken show ALL the time.
mouse here, aka whensly...
if you watch Monty Python's cheeseshop sketch
the cheese shop owner is whenslydale, in the town of whenslydale
literally famous for their cheese, the poor angry customer
john cleese is Mr Mousebender.
I do not own a cheese shop but a big fan of the sketch
and cheese.
Now it's all on the table.
I posted this on another thread but is Gallinari a SF, PF or even a center? I think center is out for now because Gallinari needs some serious work getting stronger after he hopefully gets his back fixed.
ReplyDeleteIMHO Gallinari is the key. Where he plays is a huge consideration with what happens to Lee. Yes, the economics could be a factor with how much money Lee gets offered though it seems everybody wants the guy. ; )
Chris Anderson can play either PF or Center but he is barely 230lbs. His game is all athleticism and hustle. I wouldn't say he is a real smart ball player, he's anemic on offense and a bonafide flake. He does block a lot of shots though and in fact leads the NBA in per 40 minute blocks at almost 5 bpg. If Denver offered Anderson and Kleizas for Lee and we were seriously considering it I am concerned about Walsh. Seriously concerned. BTW, Denver has no first round pick this year so that wasn't a sweetner and they could not deal next year's pick because they traded this year's pick.
Seriously, I would consider trading Lee to Chicago for Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah and their first round draft choice.
My new dream deal for David Lee might seem as puzzling as the Denver deal but bear with me.
David Lee for Washington's Nick Young and JaVale McGee. Both are young and on their rookie deals, Both are amazingly athletic. Both fill future needs and have serious upside. Both are tall and McGee is a legitimate 7 footer with a Tyson Chandler/Sam Dalembert ability to block shots.
Good to see you Mouse. Let's spread the word and get some more folks here. ; )
Hey Mouse...
ReplyDeletePlease read my softer stance on Ring-Ding. I think you got to me, my empathetic comrade ; )
Bill, is the Washington deal based on the 2010 caponomics, per chance? I like your Chicago proposal much more. Unless Lee goes for Bosh, I want a first round pick coming back to us, either for this year or next.
I would never trade David Lee to Denver, unless Carmelo was the return. Keep the Birdman in Denver. He is a poor man's Dennis Rodman, and I mean, a really impoverished man's Rodman. He does have more stylish tattoos than the Worm, though.
hey ken where would I find your tome on Curry?
ReplyDeleteI am a bit confused by the board,
is it just one page one thread?
yikes!