NYC Wants LeBron!: A Guide To Land the King
After Stephen A. Smith reported Wednesday that LeBron was "leaning toward the New York Knicks", one cannot help but wonder: Is this true?
Stephen A. Smith has been a reliable source in the past, successfully breaking the news of several big-time NBA stories including the Pau Gasol-Kwame Brown trade, and more recently the Allen Iverson off-the-court issues.
His report (which can be heard on ESPNNewYork.com's podcasts) states that LeBron's "team" has been deeply investigating the Knicks' front office to determine whether or not the front office is "reliable" or not. If LeBron's team concludes that Knicks's front office is in fact stable, then watch out for LeBron to shake up the NBA with a move to NYC.
First, we need to explore what has happened to put The Knicks in this situation they are in now, and what will need to happen for them to securely land LeBron.
What has happened so far in NYC?
1. Salary Reduction
Well the Knicks have successfully cut their salary down enough to offer two max contracts to deserving players. However, it is unclear whether or not the Knicks would have to acquire their second max player via a sign-and-trade with their most enticing trade chip David Lee.
With this ability however, they would be able to offer a max contract to players like Amare Stoudamire, Carlos Boozer, or possibly Chris Bosh to be paired with LeBron at Madison Square Garden.
2. A Clear Vision
New York has made it clear that they have a commitment to only a few young players. Team President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh and Head Coach Mike D'Antoni both collectively believe that 2008 lottery pick Danilo Gallinari is their future budding star.
They will try to sell LeBron on his on-the-court abilities to shoot the long ball, drive hard to the basket, and to play lock down defense.
During the 2009 season, "Gallo" asked coach Mike D'Antoni to put him on the opposing team's best offensive player. Gallinari is up for the task, and it will be on Walsh to sell Gallo as the Knicks' up-and-coming star.
3. "Come on LeBron"
The city of New York has shown that is is more than just behind LeBron if he decides to come to NYC. In June 2010, Mayor Michael Bloomberg started the "Come on LeBron" Campaign. It is designed to promote LeBron's move to NYC around the city.
The campaign includes free t-shirts of LeBron in a Knicks' uniform, and several posters with LeBron sporting the blue and orange number six jersey. The Mayor's commitment, and the city's commitment to LeBron could be a huge factor in LeBron's decision come July first.
What Needs to Happen?
1. More Talent Must Be Brought In
The Knicks have four players under contract for next season, and look a little thin on talent returning next year. In order to sustain the cap flexibility they seek, they must renounce the rights to all of their players whose contracts expire in 2010, including All-Star David Lee.
With Lee likely out, that leaves the team with Toney Douglas, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and Eddy Curry under contract for next season. Chandler, Gallinari, and Douglas are all good young prospects, however, they would need to add some more talent if they were to convince LeBron to come to NYC. In doing so, the Knicks could explore several trade options, with Curry's expiring contract and Wilson Chandler as the main pieces in the trade.
Scenario A - Wilson Chandler and Eddy Curry for Emeka Okafor, Peja Stojakovic and Darren Collison.
In this case, the Hornets would get rid of one of their three horrible contracts (Okafor, Stojakovic, and Posey), and would be getting a much needed wing to run along side Chris Paul in N.O. This would leave N.O. a little thin under the basket, but with the 11th pick in this years draft, expect a center or power forward like Ekpe Udoh, Cole Aldrich, or Daniel Orton to get consideration by the Hornets.
Scenario B- Wilson Chandler and Eddy Curry for Andreis Biedrins and Anthony Randolph
Same situation really. The Warriors relieve their cap flexibility, while the Knicks get much needed big men. Biedrins contract runs long term, and at a very overpriced value. The Knicks could use his shot blocking however, and Randolph would be an excellent young talent to acquire.
These are just some of the trades that could happen, but the bottom-line, the Knicks need to add more talent.
2. Eliminate the Questions About Mike D'Antoni
Some call him a player's coach, some call him an idiot. It will be Donnie Walsh's job to sell Mike D'Antoni as the greatest coach to ever coach in New York. The last few seasons with the Knicks have severely hurt D'Antoni's image, as he has made several coaching blunders: such as not playing lottery pick Jordan Hill and 2009 first rounder Toney Douglas. Choosing to instead play Al Harrington (an expiring contract), and Chris Duhon.
Further, D'Antoni has had falling outs with players such as Nate Robinson, Larry Hughes, and Eddy Curry, which have resulted in the players' leaving, or being benched for long periods of time. If the Knicks want to sell D'Antoni as the player's coach he was in Phoenix and for Team USA, they will have to address the recent developments, and show why they should not be an issue for LeBron.
