THE Plan for this year and next

[KnicksManiac]

I posted this earlier today in a random thread on the trade board but I figured I'd post it here too for some feedback.

1. Trade David Lee for Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, and Ronny Turiaf (that one already happened)
2. Sign Jordan Farmar to a 1 year, $4 million contract
3. Sign Shaquille O'Neal to a 1 year, $7 million contract

Go with this rotation:

Toney Douglas (25 mins) / Jordan Farmar (23 mins)
Wilson Chandler (33 mins) / Kelenna Azubuike (12 mins) / Bill Walker (3 mins)
Danilo Gallinari (33 mins) / Anthony Randolph (12 mins) / Bill Walker (3 mins)
Amare Stoudemire (35 mins) / Anthony Randolph (13 mins)
Shaquille O'Neal (25 mins) / Ronny Turiaf (20 mins) / Anthony Randolph (3 mins)

A. That is a team that would compete for one of the final playoff spots. I could see that rotation winning around 41 games, hovering around the .500 mark for the season.
B. We do not commit to giving anyone a long term contract.
C. Shaq would be very fun to see in NY for one season.
D. Farmar is a talented, young PG who never really got a chance to shine in LA.

After this season (and unfortunately, a probable first round exit), we would only have Amare, Gallo, Randolph, and Douglas on the books. Those guys add up to $25 million. If the salary cap is at $60 million next season, we could add Carmelo and Parker next year.

Carmelo: 5 year deal starting at $17 million
Parker: 5 year deal starting at $11 million

Go with a starting five of Parker/Carmelo/Gallo/Randolph/Amare

We'd still have about $7 million to work with. I know this is not ideal. LeBron James signing with us tonight would have been ideal. It could have solved all of our problems. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Rather than giving guys like Raymond Felton or Mike Miller large, multi-year deals, I would prefer a plan like this in order to create a championship contender next season. Thoughts?


Note: I do not think acquiring Paul in a trade is realistic which is why I left him out of this plan.

[bigball123]

1. Start Randolph! This guy would flourish in Pringles' system.
2. Maybe Shaq, but not Farmar. We need a vet PG. Bring back House for Vet. Min.?

[verrazano]

Shaq is going to Miami.

$4mill for Farmar? If we have to, but that sounds high for him.

Why do we need a veteran PG? Not like being old has ever been a benefit at the PG position?

[vinnie_vegas69]

The only problem is that Ronnie Turiaf is under contract for next year at $4.36 million, hence rendering your entire scenario invalid.

Also factoring in is that you have neglected Bill Walker's contract for next year, which is guaranteed for slightly less than $1 million, and you have us letting Wilson Chandler walk for nothing, which is a pretty dumb move.

Then there's the slightly more contentious point that Jordan Farmar wouldn't sign a one year $4 million deal when someone will almost certainly give him more years and much more guaranteed money, and the fact that D'Antoni wasn't exactly a huge fan of Shaq in his system two years ago, and certainly isn't going to love him now that he's older and slower.

But other than all that, good plan.

[boomann21]

Where does Shaq fit? Didn't D'antoni coach him in Phoenix? I don't think they work well together, but yet I heard the same thing about Stoudemire and he still signed on the dotted line. I'm not too hype on picking up Shaq though.

[KnicksManiac]

I'd probably prefer a guy like Ridnour but I don't think he could be had for $4 million. Farmar is still only 24 years old and he was a solid backup on a championship team. I'd like to see what he could do in a somewhat larger role.

As for Shaq, I don't think it's definite that he'd go to the Heat. If we offer him more money than anyone else (I read he's looking for around the MLE for a year or 2), he might want to spend a year of his life in NYC. He was born just down the road in Newark. He's also single again and might want to have some fun. He might be a guy who would really enjoy the celebrity scene in NY. I think he has enough juice left in the tank to be a 20-25 minute guy for us. I'd rather have him than Brad Miller or Big Z.

[SoCal Knicks]

Shaq is a ring chaser. He is probably breaking down Pat's door right now begging him to sign him.

[rickbrunson]

Shaq will NOT work in the D'a system (he can barely run anymore), though I do like the Carmelo move. We do need a pg that can run p/r, I'm just not sure TP has too many miles on him already and is not worth that salary. Remember, Rondo is making 10m/yr, and I don't think Parker is better. It may be time for us to draft/trade for a young developing pg to grow into his role in Mike's offense.
We also need a big that plays D and cleans the glass, but they must be able to run the floor.

Preferred 3 to get:
C: Sign Kendrick Perkins in 2011
Pg: sign Farmar now, look to draft
SF: Melo
Great plug-in to Mike's system/6th man: sign Shane Battier in 2011 or Pietrus (FA in '11)

[mccannd]

I like your plan though the immediate LB followup appears to have already occurred. Don't add any expensive players except in one year deals; let our kids continue to develop and go for two max free agents. Sounds good to me.

[KnicksManiac]

The only problem is that Ronnie Turiaf is under contract for next year at $4.36 million, hence rendering your entire scenario invalid.

Also factoring in is that you have neglected Bill Walker's contract for next year, which is guaranteed for slightly less than $1 million, and you have us letting Wilson Chandler walk for nothing, which is a pretty dumb move.

Then there's the slightly more contentious point that Jordan Farmar wouldn't sign a one year $4 million deal when someone will almost certainly give him more years and much more guaranteed money, and the fact that D'Antoni wasn't exactly a huge fan of Shaq in his system two years ago, and certainly isn't going to love him now that he's older and slower.

But other than all that, good plan.

1. In my scenario, I did indeed assume that Turiaf would turn down his player option. I feel like if he proves he can be healthy this season, he may be able to get more on the open market. I could see someone giving him the MLE for a 3-4 year deal. However, even if he did pick up his player option, how would that render the whole scenario invalid? That $4 million would just cut into the extra $7 million set aside after Melo/Parker. Turiaf could actually be a good big man off the bench.

2. Bill Walker's contract is not guaranteed for 2011-2012. It is a team option for $$916,100 according to hoopshype. Again, we could still pick this up and it would not cut into Melo/Parker.

3. We would not necessarily be letting Chandler walk for nothing. We would make the qualifying offer for $3 million, making him a restricted free agent and then go from there. If we have to let him walk though, that is a sacrifice I would be willing to make in order to add guys like Melo/Parker. I think most on here would agree.

4. Can't really have an argument about Farmar when we don't know what it going to happen with him. I doubt he will be going back to the Lakers since they will re-sign Fisher and they already committed $16 million over four years to Steve Blake. Raymond Felton, Nate Robinson, Luke Ridnour, and Kyle Lowry are all similar poing guards still out there unsigned. We just don't know what he's going to get. I think he might agree to come for $4 million if he is guaranteed a lot of playing time. Could boost his value and get himself a bigger contract for next off-season.

5. Amare doesn't want to start at Center. Shaq is the best free agent center remaining. IIRC, Shaq and D'Antoni had a good relationship and I think he wouldn't have a problem playing 20-25 mpg in this system. Who else are we going to put out there? I guess Earl Barron is still an option but I'd rather go with Shaq. Would also be cool to see him in a Knicks uniform for a year.

[xxrainnn]

Our plan as a whole going forward should be to remain flexible, and only go hard for what we want. We must definitely stay consistent in staying clear of handing out long term contracts to guys who do not deserve them (ie. Felton). Going forward the only guys who should be locked up for considerable $ should be TP or Melo. Now that our main plan went astray our focus should be to stay young, and build. Our only power moves should be those that can definitely give us a chance to compete versus those bums in Miami.

We clearly need a PG who can create for our potentially explosive offense. TD is a nice young piece, but let's face it he's not your ideal distributor... he was brought here in hopes that we would land ourselves a versatile wingman this offseason. I like bringing in Farmar and Ridnour as stopgaps ala Duhon until we get somebody that we really want, like TP or Collison who would be my ideal choice (even CP3 who is a longshot though). If we could somehow showcase Chandler in the beginning season and sell him off to a desperate NO team trying to please a disgruntled CP3 that would be such an awesome move.

Honestly I don't think we need to go for a Center at all, especially an old and slowass Shaq who would just goofoff here in NY. Amare is more than capable of handling it in this system. Other than getting bullied by big men like Dwight and Bynum, we'll be more than fine. Three 6'10" guys in our frontcourt will definitely give us enough size to makeup for a true Center.

So yes we need to just chill out on signing longterm contracts... let these guys develop together... and make smart sensible moves going forward... I like where we're headed.

[Ron1]

The problem is Gallo and Chandler are free agents after this season.

[BLACKFEET 2010]

The problem is Gallo and Chandler are free agents after this season.

That isn't accurate.

[Hitman33]

Shaq is a ring chaser. He is probably breaking down Pat's door right now begging him to sign him.

[contract]

Shaq is going to Miami.

Shaq already blew through Miami once and burned every bridge on the way out.

[can o peas]

Our plan as a whole going forward should be to remain flexible, and only go hard for what we want. We must definitely stay consistent in staying clear of handing out long term contracts to guys who do not deserve them (ie. Felton). Going forward the only guys who should be locked up for considerable $ should be TP or Melo. Now that our main plan went astray our focus should be to stay young, and build. Our only power moves should be those that can definitely give us a chance to compete versus those bums in Miami.

We clearly need a PG who can create for our potentially explosive offense. TD is a nice young piece, but let's face it he's not your ideal distributor... he was brought here in hopes that we would land ourselves a versatile wingman this offseason. I like bringing in Farmar and Ridnour as stopgaps ala Duhon until we get somebody that we really want, like TP or Collison who would be my ideal choice (even CP3 who is a longshot though). If we could somehow showcase Chandler in the beginning season and sell him off to a desperate NO team trying to please a disgruntled CP3 that would be such an awesome move.

Honestly I don't think we need to go for a Center at all, especially an old and slowass Shaq who would just goofoff here in NY. Amare is more than capable of handling it in this system. Other than getting bullied by big men like Dwight and Bynum, we'll be more than fine. Three 6'10" guys in our frontcourt will definitely give us enough size to makeup for a true Center.

So yes we need to just chill out on signing longterm contracts... let these guys develop together... and make smart sensible moves going forward... I like where we're headed.

did you say something? sorry, I got distracted there for a second by something in your avatar, can't figure out what it was though.

[Neutral 123]

Shaq ain't going to the Knicks. Hopefully they have the rest of their picks going forward. They'll continue to be bad, draft a stud hopefully, and sign a guy here and there to fill out their roster. I say they need a minimum 3 more years to really be taken seriously again.

[can o peas]

Shaq ain't going to the Knicks. Hopefully they have the rest of their picks going forward. They'll continue to be bad, draft a stud hopefully, and sign a guy here and there to fill out their roster. I say they need a minimum 3 more years to really be taken seriously again.

I agree Shaq isn't coming to the Knicks. But otherwise kindly STFU & GTFO.



(In case you weren't trolling, no, the Knicks do not have their picks you azzhole.) I think they'll be improved though, hopefully enough to be a playoff team but we'll see.

[Neutral 123]

Shaq ain't going to the Knicks. Hopefully they have the rest of their picks going forward. They'll continue to be bad, draft a stud hopefully, and sign a guy here and there to fill out their roster. I say they need a minimum 3 more years to really be taken seriously again.

I agree Shaq isn't coming to the Knicks. But otherwise kindly STFU & GTFO.



(In case you weren't trolling, no, the Knicks do not have their picks you azzhole.) I think they'll be improved though, hopefully enough to be a playoff team but we'll see.

LOL, nothing like some NY hospitality. I was being serious about asking about the picks. They STILL don't get their picks? How many more did they give away?


I hear a lot of talk about Lebron taking the easy way out, so I'd expect the fans here saying that to not want their city to do the same. A proper rebuild through the draft and signing of role players sounds like the equivalent of not taking the easy way out, no?

[can o peas]

Shaq ain't going to the Knicks. Hopefully they have the rest of their picks going forward. They'll continue to be bad, draft a stud hopefully, and sign a guy here and there to fill out their roster. I say they need a minimum 3 more years to really be taken seriously again.

I agree Shaq isn't coming to the Knicks. But otherwise kindly STFU & GTFO.



(In case you weren't trolling, no, the Knicks do not have their picks you azzhole.) I think they'll be improved though, hopefully enough to be a playoff team but we'll see.

LOL, nothing like some NY hospitality. I was being serious about asking about the picks. They STILL don't get their picks? How many more did they give away?


I hear a lot of talk about Lebron taking the easy way out, so I'd expect the fans here saying that to not want their city to do the same. A proper rebuild through the draft and signing of role players sounds like the equivalent of not taking the easy way out, no?

well yeah it sucks about the picks, but we've already put our chips in the free agency basket. a lot of us did want a traditional rebuild but it's too late for that now. and signing one or two free agents is different from signing on with three superstars. it's considered the easy way out only because it doesn't seem like much of a challenge for them- kind of like picking the 'easy' setting on a videogame because you want to make sure you win. even I thought it was overkill when people were considering signing amare/bosh, lebron and then melo.