I saved this calculation from one poster month ago:This the the Knicks 2011-2010 committed guaranteed salaries (in millions)
1. Stat 18.2
2. Felton 7.6
3. Turiaf 4.4
4. Mozgov 3.3
5. Gallinari 4.2
6. Randolph 2.9
7. Douglas 1.1
8. Walker .9
That's $42.6m
Now 9.) Fields is non-guaranteed, but that's a moot point. Let's add his $800k. We'll leave off Rautins $800k (also non--guaranteed) and consider him a minor casualty.
$43.4m
Shawne Williams will be an UFA and the Knicks will have no Bird Rights for him. They'd need pure cap space or use of the MLE (we'll get to that) to sign him (unless for another minimum contract). If he shows anything worth more than the minimum (think Earl Baron last year), he's your second casualty.
Knicks have a 10.) 2011 1st round draft pick, and assuming it's between 15 (around $1.5m) and 23rd (about $1m), we're split the difference and add $1.25m
You're up to $44.65m for 10 players
Azubuike has a $6.6m cap hold. He's gone too.
Teams under the cap effectively loose use of the MLE, so that's about $5.8m the Knicks can't spend on the MLE.
Likewise the bi-annual exception (valued at $2.18m next year).
So we're already cut loose Rautins, and Azubuike, use of two exceptions worth $5.8m and $2.18m, which effectively cuts loose Williams.
Which bring us to 11.) Wilson Chandler.
$3.1m qualifying offer, $6.4m cap hold (the $6.4m is his cap figure until he either signs his QO, signs an contract with another team or is renounced by the Knicks).
But let's be (extreme) optimists and say he agrees to the QO.
Knicks cap figure is now $47.75m.
The 2010-11 cap is $58m. Let's assume it goes up to $60m in 2011-12.
Knicks would now have $12.25m to sign Carmelo Anthony, who as things stand right now, would be eligible for an $18m starting salary.
Assuming he wants it, Knicks are $5.75m short.
So if you want to keep Chandler (assuming he sighs for QO) you got to trade away at least $5.75m of salary, but only to teams with cap room that don't have to send any salary back.
And even IF you're willing to let Chandler go and renounce him, you're still $2.65m short.
So in re-summary, getting 'Melo for "nothing" likely costs you Chandler, Azubuike, Rautins, Williams, and two free agents exceptions worth $5.8m and $2.18, plus ANOTHER $2.65m in salary from somewhere(?)
As it stands, Randolph, Mozgov or Turiaf is really the only contracts that can come from (Walker AND Douglas perhaps if Anthony is willing to take a little less).
So who here thinks you can still get Anthony for "nothing"?
I think it is simple:
Walsh will now offer the players(contracts) NY would lose anyway in summer if wanted to make enough room($16m to $18m) to sign Carmelo as FA.Following the calculation NY would be at $44.65m for 10 players, add to that 0,5m for one cap hold.
So the final number is $45,15m for 11 players. So if Randolph is traded for pick (the best 2012 pick) you have $2,4m more room ($2,9m Randolph - $0,5m cap hold). So
the final number is $42,75m meaning there is $15,25 to $17,25m left for Carmelo depending if the cap will be $58m or $60m. Enough!!!
So that why I think Chandler + Randolph pick (Curry+others) is the right offer.
But because NY signing Carmelo as FA loses MLE and bi-annual exception Walsh must add something in trade now. That is why NY 2011 pick and probably Field would be in.
MLE,bi-annual exception
Vs. 2011 pick, Fields
For both sides IMO...
Chandler OR Gallinari
Randolph OR pick
2011 NY pick
Fields
...is a fair offer.
No need for Walsh to overpay.