Knick's Destroy-and-Rebuild Plan for 2010

[ecuhus1981]

The rumor mill is swirling this morning, with the Knicks looking to move Crawford to the Warriors for Harrington and Belinelli. They are also in serious discussions with LAC for Randolph, and seem open to S&T possibilities for Lee (who will need a pricey extension soon) now that he's fallen out of the starting lineup. It's clear that Donnie Walsh has his eyes set on becoming financially viable for the great

So, why am I bringing this conversation to the New Jersey messageboard, you ask?

Simply put, because although NYK has always expressed a desire to pursue LeBron James in 2010, they haven't actually made an effort to clear capspace for that summer... until now. In two years, LBJ can elicit a max extension offer from any team in the league that has the capspace to do it. But realistically, we hear rumblings from his inner circle that he really wants ot play in one of the two major markets: NY or LA. The Lakers are swimming in luxury tax territory though 2011, so it's safe to assume they are a longshot. The Clippers have plenty of capspace to make a splash, but somehow, I don't think Sterling can pull the trigger on a deal as large as James will command, even for the best player in the game. Look at how LAC has treated the Brand, Odom and Maggette situations, just to name a few examples. We have long been seen as having the pole position in this race, but a new threat may be emerging. LeBron is close friend with Jay_Z, which works in our favor, but he also has been an Knicks fan his entire life, and plays his best in Madison Square Garden.

My questions to fellow Nets fans is this:

How does this news impact our 2010 plan? Do we need to be IN Brooklyn by 2010 in order to secure James? IF we whiff on James, would you consider the rebuild a partial failure? There is no right or wrong answer, I'm just looking to spark discussion.

[deviljets7]

With a free agency class that potentially includes (as of now) Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Dirk Nowitzki, Stephen Jackson, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Dwyane Wade, Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson, Mike Miller, Tyson Chandler, David Lee, Amare Stoudamire, Steve Nash, Manu Ginobili, Chris Bosh, Jermaine O'Neal, Mehmet Okur, basing this 2010 plan solely on getting LeBron is unfair.

Obviously some of these guys are far from ideal selections, but it's important to remember that this class of FA is more than just LeBron. I think Brooklyn would be a big help to the chances of LeBron, but if the Knicks have the room, I think the Garden and the "history" would top Brooklyn and Jay-Z anyway.

[Revolutionistt]

With a free agency class that potentially includes (as of now) Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Dirk Nowitzki, Stephen Jackson, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Dwyane Wade, Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson, Mike Miller, Tyson Chandler, David Lee, Amare Stoudamire, Steve Nash, Manu Ginobili, Chris Bosh, Jermaine O'Neal, Mehmet Okur, basing this 2010 plan solely on getting LeBron is unfair.

Obviously some of these guys are far from ideal selections, but it's important to remember that this class of FA is more than just LeBron. I think Brooklyn would be a big help to the chances of LeBron, but if the Knicks have the room, I think the Garden and the "history" would top Brooklyn and Jay-Z anyway.

not if theyre winning 25 games a season. lebron sated hes gonna do what best for him to win MULTIPLE championships. unless the knicks or nets are planning on bringing in another big name free agent to go along with lebron i doubt he ends up in the tri state area.

[S.I.C. GM]

I think the Knicks are aiming to get two FA.

What players they put around these FA is where it gets shady. But Boston didnt have a problem winning a champtionship with 3 Stars and a bunch of shims.

[Rich Rane]

I'm not sure I get the Crawford for Harrington trade. Couldn't they terminate Crawford next season anyway? I also believe Harrington has a player option next season too.

[jeff1624]

^^Crawford had a Player Option which he would have picked up and would have ran to 2011.

Basically the knicks get cap space right in time for 2010 even if Harrington picks up his player option.

I like this move a lot for the knicks and if they could move randolph they'll become instant favorites for the Lebron sweepstakes AND have enough to sign another superstar.

[S.I.C. GM]

WoW!!

The rumor is Zack for Tim Thomas and Mobley.

Damn! I wanted to send VC for the Big Fugasy and the Franchise Sidekick.

Knicks making the moves we should be making if that DAMN arena was being built.

[Rich Rane]

^^Crawford had a Player Option which he would have picked up and would have ran to 2011.

Basically the knicks get cap space right in time for 2010 even if Harrington picks up his player option.

I like this move a lot for the knicks and if they could move randolph they'll become instant favorites for the Lebron sweepstakes AND have enough to sign another superstar.

Where are you looking? I was on shamsports.

[jeff1624]

^^Hoopshype..

[Stone]

There's no way were going to be in brooklyn by 2010. Even if they start building in 2009 like they said recently. There's always set backs and don't forget everything has to be inspected. I think were looking at 2012 if this gets off the ground next year.

I'm also starting to wonder with all this talk about teams losing money if teams are dumping salarys just to stay solvent. With the way Rich and Jeff destroyed the economy maybe the owners are thinking to themselves who's going to be buying tickets and merchindise? It's getting ugly out there!!!

[Rich Rane]

^^Hoopshype..

Eh...I'm not going to argue with you on which one is more accurate because I seriously don't know.

I'm also starting to wonder with all this talk about teams losing money if teams are dumping salarys just to stay solvent. With the way Rich and Jeff destroyed the economy maybe the owners are thinking to themselves who's going to be buying tickets and merchindise? It's getting ugly out there!!!

The way I see it, if my trickery under jeff's mind control (I repeat, jeff was the mastermind of this operation) on Nintendo worked and I get Super Mario RPG 2, it'll all be worth it.

...that and LeBron coming to the Nets, although that might have taken a hit with the Knicks cost cutting more than Circuit City today.

[jeff1624]

^^lol

Bosh is always a possibility

[S.I.C. GM]

Zach for Mobley and Thomas finalized. Damn!!!!!! That should have been us.

Now that is done. The Knicks might be able to get Lebron and work a way to get Bosh.

We are not going to get any top tier FA. i say we blow it up and let Lebron and Bosh have their dynasty while we rebuild with young guys.

I will go Nuts if Ratner sells the NETS.

[S.I.C. GM]

One more thing.

IF the Knicks find a way to get the top 3 picks in this draft. I think I will call FOUL.

I WANT RUBIO. If the knicks get him too.

I AM GOING TO GO F'N CRAZY.

[SpeedyG]

I said this in another thread. So long as this team is in New Jersey (Izod center specifically), NOBODY is coming here except for those that can't find a market out there and we're the only one willing to pay. Forget Lebron and that 2010 class.

[realfung]

their plan is off the hook.
Only the Knicks can do this. Why? Coz they will have full attendance even though they have no stars in the team.

[ecuhus1981]

Even our own Bobby Simmons can see that the Knicks' two deals have pushed them to the top of the heap in the LeBron chase:

"You know he's going... to play for the Knicks."