New York Knicks: Wishful Thinking

I love to read all the articles posted on this site regarding how to fix the Knicks.  Everyone has their own perspective on the Knicks' needs and how to get better.  With that said, I thought I'd give it a go in my very first article. 

Now before I start, just know as you are reading that I know that my ideas probably won't come to life as I am sure many other writers do, but being a Knicks' fan since I could walk, I can't help but dream.  Also, I realize that some of these ideas have been voiced before.

Summer 2010

This is when the "one" (Lebron James) will come to the Knicks and salvage our wretched franchise.  We know this because it is a prophecy told to us by our own oracle, Donnie Walsh.  I don't know about you other Knicks fans, but I am not ready to wait another two years to become a respectable team. 

With the Eastern Conference being the Junior Varsity Conference it is, there is no reason why we cannot realistically make a run in the playoffs come next year.  Yes, it is a reach, but not a long one.  If we are going to be a playoff contender come 2010, we have to get better each year before then. 

On top of that, there are no guarantees.  By 2010 Lebron could, god forbid, have lost his ability to play the game.  James Dolan might become a cheap, old geezer.  We need to get better now.

Z-Bo has got to go

This has become a fact as he has become public enemy number one as far as the Knicks go.  Nevertheless, he is still a big with a soft touch around the basket and from 15 feet away. 

There are rumors that Mo Cheeks and the 76ers might want him.  However, I do not see one player on that roster that they would trade that would help the Knicks become better or more financially sound. 

There was talk around the deadline that the Denver Nuggets were interested.  Hopefully, if they were, they still are.  If so, the Knicks should propose a straight up trade of Zach Randolph for Kenyon Martin. 

The two players have exactly the same contract so financial relief would not be gained, however, both teams would benefit.  For Denver to truly compete in the West they need an inside offensive presence that all the best teams have out there. 

Marcus Camby and Nene do not provide the type of game that would tire bigs like Tim Duncan, Yao, or Pau Gasol on the defensive end.  Zach Randolph averaged something like 23 pts. and ten rebs. in his last season out West.  Of course with 'Melo and AI he probably wont get as many shots, but he would be provide an inside option that the Nuggets do not have. 

On the other hand, K-Mart had his best years playing in New Jersey within a fast break offense.  He played 73 games last year indicating that he is becoming healthier.  With D'Antoni, there is a guarantee for a run and gun style, which requires not only shooters but slashers going to the basket as well. 

K-Mart provides this to them, not to mention a penchant for defense that Z-Bo certainly doesn't have. 

It has been said in other articles to trade Randolph for Jermaine O'Neal.  While this would be good for the Knicks, the Pacers are also going towards a run and gun style that does not have room for a lagging power forward. 

However, in a perfect world, the Knicks could trade Zach Randolph, Jarred Jeffries, and the No. 6 pick, for Jermaine O'Neal and the No. 11 pick. 

The Pacers would get two Indiana natives in Randolph and Jeffries, who coincidentally met in their high school championship games.  Zach Randolph finished second behind Jeffries for that year's Mr. Basketball competition, but Randolph's team won the high school championship. 

The real selling point is that with the No. 6 pick Indiana could select the University of Indiana's top guard Eric Gordon.  Another player that their fans could be proud of. 

Let's be realistic, Mike Dunleavy had a career year, but he will definitely not carry the team the way Miller did.  Gordon could come in and be the type of sixth man that Ben Gordon was for the Bulls, or Barbosa is for the Suns.  Gordon is just as lethal a scorer and just as athletic. 

The Knicks would get O'Neal, who is essentially a defensive minded Randolph.  However, he is injury prone.  With the No. 11 pick, the Knicks could draft Russell Westbrook out of UCLA. 

At No. 6, the Knicks wouldn't draft anyone of real need that warranted that high of a pick.  The teams that pick between the Knicks and the Pacers all have young point guards, so it is almost a lock that Westbrook is available. 

The young guard actually just worked out for the Knicks and said he would love to play for D'Antoni (who wouldn't).  More importantly though is that he has the skills to thrive in a D'Antoni system.  He has the vision and the pass first mentality to play the point, not to mention lock down defense (he shutdown OJ Mayo and Bayless during the season). 

If he gained 15-20 pounds he'd have the ideal size for an NBA PG.  This is ideal because O'Neal is certainly better than Martin and they would still have financial flexibility for 2010.  Indiana, though, would never bite on this trade unless they really value homegrown talent.

Bring Home the Real Home-town Hero

The only reason why fans don't want Starbury out as much as Randolph is because his contract expires after this coming season.  He says he is getting in shape for D'Antoni's system, but he also said he was in the best shape of his career entering this previous season. 

We could buy him out, but that wouldn't make us a better team.  His contract and even his talent could get some value.  Enter stage left, the Sacramento Kings. 

The Knicks should deal Stephon Marbury, Renaldo Balkman, and Mardy Collins for Ron Artest, Kenny Thomas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and the No. 11 Pick. 

Ron Artest says he isn't leaving, but we all know he changes his mind as much as he probably changes his socks and underwear.  He is the one the Knicks let get away when they selected Frederic Weis over him.  He is also a perfect specimen for a D'Antoni offense as he runs the court, shoots the three well, and is probably a top five defender in the league. 

This trade certainly works in the Kings' favor as they get the expiring contract which they'll need as Kevin Martin will need to be resigned warranting $10 million a year.  Francisco Garcia and John Salmons both proved they could fill Artest's role, and the Kings would shed the contracts of Thomas and Abdur-Rahim giving them more flexibility to sign a player they need to truly compete in the West. 

Ron Artest could then return to his hometown and the Knicks would gain two serviceable players and contracts that would expire before the Summer of 2010.  The No. 11 pick would again turn into Russell Wesbrook.

Last Minute Cleanup

Re-sign Jones and Morris.

Possible Lineup

PG: Nate Robinson, Russell Westbrook

SG: Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Fred Jones

SF: Ron Artest, Wilson Chandler

PF: K-Mart or JO, David Lee, Kenny Thomas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim

C: Eddy Curry, Malik Rose, Jerome James

Result

A good bet for a number six or eight seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs Picture.