Sac - NY - A new twist that could work better for both

[OhioKingsFan]

Ron Artest and Mikki Moore for David Lee, Malik Rose, Fred Jones AND '08 1st Round Pick?

The Knicks, with the Zach Randolf pick up, and with fans calling for Isaiah Thomas' head, should be looking for wins now. Their salary is too large to be in "rebuilding mode". Artest would help them with that from day 1. Mikki Moore sweetens the deal. The Knicks need something to change at the Center position, and adding Mikki Moore would give them a lot of flexibility if they decide to move Curry. The Kings would love to send Kenny Thomas instead, but Kenny's large salary and low production don't seem like they would get that much in return. The only pieces that the Knicks have that the Kings want are David Lee and that Draft Pick. New York gets a star and a solid player in return for Zach Randolph's back up and a draft pick.

For the Kings, they keep Kenny Thomas' contract, but actually come away with the pieces they want. NY's pick should be in the Lottery, and David Lee would be the right rebounding player to put beside Spencer Hawes in the future. Hawes could make up for Lee's offensive weakness in the post, and Lee would make up for Hawes weak rebounding.

One thing that could stop this deal is if NY doesn't realize that Lee, salary aside, is much less valuable to them if they have Randolph on their roster. Z Randolph will be the starting PF for NY for as long as he is there. NY can and should sacrifice a great bench player for a great starter. That is how you build a TEAM, instead of just trying to get as many good players as you can without thought of how they fit together. Right now, the Knicks have some good players, but are a lousy team. Their pieces simply do not fit together. This trade would help them dramatically.

Likewise, Artest is less valuable to the Kings while both Martin and Salmons are there (as well as Garcia). While Artest is currently their best player, this trade would give them another young building block, while also giving them 2 lottery picks in this years draft. Kings need to give up valuable pieces at 2 + 3 spots for a better 4. NY needs to give up strength at 4 for strength at either 1,3, or 5.

Artest and Moore are good fixes for the Knicks, and Lee and the Draft pick are exactly what Sac is looking for.

[gavran]

You know a trade suck bigtime when Mikki f****n Moore sweetens it....
You should be slapped to propose this deal.

[#1knickfan]

I see absolutely no reason whatsoever for the Knicks to include a first rounder in this deal. That is just insane.

[KF10]

Isiah said that he wont deal any draft pick... Without the draft pick, Kings decline...Or any deals from NY for the matter...

[OhioKingsFan]

Wow, strong language. I'll bet you're a smart person. I for one am grateful for the insights and thoughtful feedback you bring to the table.

At the beginning of the season I would have agreed with you. At the beginning of the season I also thought that the Knicks would at least be contending for the 8th seed in the East. The knicks need to get rid of Curry and need to get Artest, not a player like him, but HIM. Basketball is a business, and they will not continue to sell tickets to the Garden for such an awful team. The fans can't stand the team. They need a fan favorite like Artest not only to win games (which he would help them do) but to win back the fans, to give them a reason to cheer instead of boo.

Unfortunately, for as good as Curry was last year, as soon as Zach came to NY his production disappeared. Moore's production, very sadly, is about even with Eddy Curry. And Moore actually plays better defense. He will never be a star, but if the Knicks do decide to move Curry, which they should, Moore gives them some depth at Center and a back up PF so that they can be a little less specific in what types of players they bring back. This is very important whenever you trade large salaries.

Plus his salary is just a little over half of what Curry's is, and is for a year less. But Moore is not the focus of this trade, Artest is. If I were a team looking to get Artest, I would much rather take Moore as an "earmark" than Kenny Thomas.

I really don't see any other way for the Knicks to get Artest without picking him up in free agency and paying paying $20 mil or so for him a year (luxury tax) in addition to their already rediculous payroll. In my opinion it is this type of mentality that has gotten the Knicks into the horrible predicament they are in now. They have zero financial flexibility. And a draft pick, unless it is Rose, Mayo or Beasley, doesn't really help them move from being a bottom feeder in the East. The Knicks need players, not projects.

The Kings are okay with Projects instead of players at this point. No other package the Knicks can offer is any more appealing than what the Kings could get from the Heat.

Again, realistically nothing less than this will get Artest from the Kings, and if you don't see how your team would benefit from this, then by all means continue to enjoy the rest of this stellar NY Knicks season.

[loserX]

The Knicks, barring a miracle, are going to be a lotto team this year.

Lotto teams do not give up picks for rentals.

[Smills91]

I see absolutely no reason whatsoever for the Knicks to include a first rounder in this deal. That is just insane.

I see absolutely NO reason whatsoever for the Kings to consider moving Artest to NY without a Kenny Thomas dump, David Lee, a 1st rounder and Mardy Collins.

[loserX]

I see absolutely NO reason whatsoever for the Kings to consider moving Artest to NY without a Kenny Thomas dump, David Lee, a 1st rounder and Mardy Collins.

Fair enough. Of course, no GM in his right mind would ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER do that in the Knicks' current position.

(Cue the "Isaiah? in his right mind?" jokes, but keep in mind Isaiah's not doing this either )

[OGSactownballer]

This is why Geoff Petrie doesen't hang up instantly, he is laughing so hard that he falls off his chair.

[Starksfor3]

:falloff:
This is why Geoff Petrie doesen't hang up instantly, he is laughing so hard that he falls off his chair.

Are you calling Geoff Petrie (Please Use More Appropriate Word)?

[KnicksManiac]

LMAO. Sure...Let's give a top 3 pick, David Lee, an expiring contract, and a two year contract for Artest and a TERRIBLE contract. No ****ing way. Welcome to the site but if you propose trades like this, you are gonna get trashed. Mikki Moore does not sweeten ANY trade. For taking Mikki Moore, we should have to give less, not more.

[LPKingsFan]

Mikki Moore is no worse/better contract than Rose. He's only partially guaranteed in 09-10, and makes almost $2 million less.

But I agree that the pick and Lee would be a hard pill for the Knicks to swallow. I'd imagine it would be either Lee or a pick/Balkman combo package. But please do not conflate the contracts of Moore and Kenny Thomas.

[moocow007]

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Are you calling Geoff Petrie (Please Use More Appropriate Word)?

If he thinks he can get Lee, an expiring AND a likely top 3-5 pick for an injured (and always unstable) Artest who'll be a free agent at the end of the year, then yes, Petrie most definitely is (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

[moocow007]

Mikki Moore is no worse/better contract than Rose. He's only partially guaranteed in 09-10, and makes almost $2 million less.

But I agree that the pick and Lee would be a hard pill for the Knicks to swallow. I'd imagine it would be either Lee or a pick/Balkman combo package. But please do not conflate the contracts of Moore and Kenny Thomas.

Thank you for at least trying to be impartial.

[mugzi]

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I see absolutely NO reason whatsoever for the Kings to consider moving Artest to NY without a Kenny Thomas dump, David Lee, a 1st rounder and Mardy Collins.

Still up to your old tricks I see. So I take it that comes "without lube."

[moocow007]

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Still up to your old tricks I see. So I take it that comes "without lube."

If you take all of Kings players positives and none of their negatives and then take all of the Knicks players negatives and none of their positives then he's right.

But then again, that potential top 3 overall pick might be better than anybody in this deal down the road (and considering that they aren't Knicks), he's still wrong.

[#1knickfan]

:falloff:
This is why Geoff Petrie doesen't hang up instantly, he is laughing so hard that he falls off his chair.

I think your opinion is completely bull$hit but I do give you credit for making me laugh.

[#1knickfan]

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I see absolutely NO reason whatsoever for the Kings to consider moving Artest to NY without a Kenny Thomas dump, David Lee, a 1st rounder and Mardy Collins.

Well considering your political stance and your views on any Kings trade I would say that you definately have a problem with your vision amongst other things.

[Mission Man]

This deal is killer for the Knicks. I don't think you are asking enuf for Ron Ron. Maybe we can also throw in Balk & a second #1 - unprotected, of course to make it worth your while !!!

[LPKingsFan]

Say what you want about Smills misguided politics, but maaan, are you watching this game? When is Isiah going to try to save his job? Does he even care?