In the days leading up to this year's NBA Draft, the rumor surrounding the New York Knicks was that they were looking for a point guard of the future.
With Stephon Marbury clearly past his prime, Mike D'Antoni has supposedly been in search of a player to run the engine of his offense. His uptempo offensive style definitely needs an adequate starter at the point guard position. That could be the difference between the Knicks becoming contenders or staying in the cellar yet again.
Many were surprised—including myself—when Jerryd Bayless and D.J. Augustin were passed up by the Knicks in favor of combo forward Danilo Gallinari, but maybe Donnie Walsh has something up his sleeve after all. With the addition of Gallinari, it seems as though the once-coveted David Lee might become an expendable piece in trade talks.
Numerous rumors emerged shortly after the draft, mainly focusing on addressing the need for a point guard. Raymond Felton's name was thrown around, especially after the Bobcats decided to go with D.J. Augustin in the draft. That might have signified that Felton has become available—and he would undoubtedly be a nice, young floor leader for the Knicks.
Felton has been misused in Charlotte, as the coaching staff would play him off the ball for long stretches during the season. He is a pass-first type player with outstanding quickness and can thrive if put into the right system and situation.
A more interesting option is Monta Ellis, who was brought up recently in a possible sign and trade. Ellis is a sleek combo guard who also loves the transition game and has already stated he is a fan of D'Antoni's style of play.
If Walsh would be able to bring in such a young talent at this point in his rising career, that would be an absolute steal for the Knicks. A back court of Ellis and Crawford would be a good tandem to build upon.
Being that the Knicks did not address the point guard situation via the draft, it seems as though a deal is imminent that would bring a new floor leader to a team in desperate search for one. Let's face it, Marbury is a dead man walking in New York. He just can't be counted on to perform at a high level anymore.
It will be interesting to see what moves are made from here on out by Donnie Walsh. As a fan, I am excited and hopeful that he will make a move towards taking positive steps forward for a franchise that hasn't seen many in years.
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3 months ago
Great stuff. I think that Ellis would be a great fit in New York. Well, anybody would be a great fit in New York.
3 months ago
Why in the world would Golden State give up Monta Ellis?
LOL
from 3 months ago
The only thing I could imagine what would be very possible them being the Knicks is offering Monte Ellis a ridiculous contract perhaps 15 to 20 mil a year. Golden State would either have to match it or a sign and trade deal. However, the Knicks don't have that type of flexibility to pull off such an extreme move.
The Knicks are stuck right now. I can't see a trade happening until February when the Knicks can offer Stephon Marbury's expiring contract.
3 months ago
Golden State would be absolutely illogical in giving up Monta Ellis. He is one of the most exciting players in years and if Baron Davis is traded (as it has been rumored at times), that kid will be their bread and butter in terms of ticket sales, exposures, and most importantly, on the court. Monta is a player that has improved greatly each season and if not for winning Most Improved Player in 2007 and Hedo Turkoglu's career rebirth, he could have been a candidate for it this year! Extremely bright future for Ellis whether he stays or goes. Marbury is either going to stop being a team cancer and play or be benched for the season until the Knicks trade him (if anyone wants him).
3 months ago
The only person GS would take in a sign and trade for Monte would be Crawford. I'm not against it since Monte is younger, has more athleticism, and might develop into a point.. might. Doesn't really solve the Knicks problems, but it is a move that could be done. You don't think GS wants Eddie Curry do ya?
I think the knicks could pic up a good solid shooting guard and let crawford and Nate man the point this year... and maybe pic up earl Boykins to play some back up point and veteran.
Also Trade: Marbury and Lee to Utan for AK47 and that #1 pic that the knicks already owe Utah in 2009 or 2010. It isn't a great Salary move, putting th4e Knicks in a position to remove both Randolph and Curry(or Jefferies) in order to be under the cap in 2010.. but AK is the perfect 4 (next to Marion) in D'Antoni's office, and as a 4, AK is 3-4 shot blocks a game.. gives Galinari time to develop, and muscle up to cover 4's if he ever can.
Utah does it b/c they get rid of AK's contract, so they can extend Williams and Boozer... they get Marbury to play shooting guard for a year.. maybe it works and maybe it doesn't... or they wave him.. and they get David Lee, who would fit in excellent in there roation will Milsap getting some minutes at the 3 and lee getting minutes at all 3 front court spots. and of course.. Lee is white which would make the crazy Utah fans happy(Or so I've heard about them)
Last.. I don't know that the Knicks have to be under the cap to get Lebron.. but as long as a few teams are, and the threat of loosing Lebron to a team as a FA with no compensation comes up, then the knicks step in with the sign and trade.. which nets lebron more money... and eases his guilt about leaving clevland high and dry(as grant hill did when he left detroit.. netting them Ben Wallace.) I'm not against the idea of getting under the cap, but Lebron to NY is no guarentee, and giving up two years to get him may not be the smartest move.
3 months ago
I like your thoughts about Monta Ellis and definitely think its possible. Golden State isn't as in love with him as other people are and many label Ellis as a system player. I don't think it would take and obscene offere from the Knicks to take away Ellis from the Warriors.
I was surprised to see D.J. Augustin picked by the Bobcats when they had Ray Felton and so now it'll be interesting to see what they do with him. I like both of those guys and agree that Marbury needs to go.
As for the trade proposal above me with Utah involved: never gonna happen.
3 months ago
not a chance Ellis is only good in a the warriors 'run and gun' system. He will be nothing in any other system and he knows that, which is why he will make big bucks in the bay!
However Harrington and Pietrus will be on the move to get some older talent!
3 months ago
What assets does NY have? The Warriors would have to sign-and-trade (give him a new deal) Ellis and there is really nothing the the Knicks have that the Dubs would want. NY can't sign him and Mullin wants to keep him.
"Golden State isn't as in love with him as other people are and many label Ellis as a system player."
That is just not true. And if it was, it makes no sense. If he was a "system player" other teams would like him less. It would in fact take an obscene offer and that is something the Knicks can't do.
from 3 months ago
it has been rumored that walsh and chris mullin have been heating up talks involving a sign and trade with ellis and david lee as the centerpieces. for whatever reason the warriors do not seem to be high on this kid. i believe he has enormous potential and would be a perfect fit in d'antoni's offensive set.
from 3 months ago
Oh ok Ben cuz Ellis isn't a 20 point scorer as an undersized 2-guard and possibly the fastest player in the league. The perfect fit for the Warriors system, and now the Knicks because of D'Antoni's run-and-gun system.
3 months ago
with baron davis opting out of the final year of his contract you would have to enjoy committing suicide for the warriors to throw away their 2 starting guards, of which ellis has proved so much, any considerations of ellis can be thrown out the window cuz he's great at the 1 and 2, there's a difference between trade and stealing, and golden state wont allow ny to steal their only starting, and amazing, and young, guard left.
3 months ago
Hey, if the Nicks are looking for a point gaurd, Aaron Nixon is the one. He is athletic, he looks the floor over, and he has a long reach. He played well at Long Beach and he has played a year in Europe as a point guard. He average 15 pts. per game. He would be a great fit for the Nicks.
3 months ago
Ellis is an absolute beast and would be a great fit in NY... but there's no way that Golden State let's him leave
3 months ago
Only way Ellis ends up in New York is if the Knicks offer him a near-max contract (i.e. $15+ million per year) which the Warriors would not match. As a restricted free agent and the future face of the franchise, Warriors will match any modest offers made on the high-flying combo guard.
from 3 months ago
the rumor circulating is not about the knicks making an offer to ellis but rather a sign a trade because the warriors want to move him for whatever insane reason that would be.
3 months ago
I hope you are not talking about the New York Post 'rumor'. http://www.nypost.com/seven/06292008/sports/knicks/walsh_looks_to_make_point_117758.htm
That is straight-up tabloid wishful thinking, with zero facts to merit. The Warriors absolutely do not want to move Ellis and Mullin has said as much that he may match any offer. Ellis is more talented (and young with upside) than any player on New York's roster (David Lee included). Worst-case scenario the Warriors are forced to give Monta a one-year tender which would result in him becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer at which point all bets are off. For now, I fully expect him back to the Warriors after signing a four-five year contract around 8-10 mil per year.
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