New York Knicks Trade Zach Randolph; Clear More Cap Space

Friday was the brightest day for New York basketball and Madison Square Garden since the Knicks participated in the 2000 NBA Finals.

It wasn’t because the Knicks scored a huge victory verse the Celtics or Lakers. It wasn’t because they improved their roster. No, the trading of their two top scorers, Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford, has definitely left the roster even more diluted.

Nevertheless, by unloading two cumbersome salaries, New York may be the frontrunner in the much-anticipated 2010 LeBron James sweepstakes.

The Knicks have now rid themselves of Crawford and Randolph, two players with contracts that run through 2010-11 in exchange for Golden State’s Al Harrington and Clippers' Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas. All of whom have deals expiring next season.

More importantly, the new Donnie Walsh regime has proven to be patient with a plan for the future. Something that was painfully absent during Isiah’s tenure in which losing was remedy by more spending, resulting in more salary cap inflexibility, which lead to more losing—a vicious cycle similar to that of the Bush Administration’s economic policy.

NEW ACQUISTIONS

Harrington: Without doubt, the more balanced of the two trades was swapping Jamal Crawford for Al Harrington. Not necessarily because Harrington is a better player than Crawford, but because the Knicks accomplish two goals in the deal: they clear cap space for the future as well as acquire a big man who is better suited for Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun system than that of Randolph and David Lee.

Donnie Walsh’s has always admired Harrington’s game and versatility:

"I drafted Al back in 1998 and I think his talents are a great fit for our style of play," Walsh told the NY Daily News. "This trade also gives us more long-term flexibility while enabling us to remain competitive this season."

Thomas and Mobley: Unlike the Harrington deal, the Clipper acquisitions serve the sole purpose of clearing cap space. Zach Randolph was enjoying an extremely productive season, averaging 20.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and even draining the occasional three.

Trading Randolph for two players who are uninspired and past their prime (Mobley is unhappy with the trade as well) will definitely cost the Knicks wins this season. The cost is minimal, however, when accounting the 17 plus million dollars off the books this trade produces in 2010.

OVERVIEW
Knicks Get:
F Al Harrington
F Tim Thomas
G Cuttino Mobley

Trade:
F Zach Randolph
G Jamal Crawford
G Mardy Collins

RELATED NEWS
New York’s cost cutting is not limited to just basketball transactions.

Apparently, Mike D’Antoni’s mustache will be next to go as the head coach will grow a full beard in order to avoid buying new Power Fusion Replacement Cartridges.

"Those things are like 28 dollars for an eight-pack," D’Antoni texted me.

The Knicks stand to save an estimated $364.