So the Knicks have officially packed it in for this year and next year by trading away their two most proven players (notice I didn't say best players) away for few guys that are really here just to keep the seats warm until LeBron and a running mate get here is 2010.
Jamal Crawford, who I liked and enjoyed watching is now on his way to Oakland to play for the Warriors. We get Al Harrington who can hit a 3 pointer, dribble, and make an occasional decent bounce pass.
Zach Randolph, who has been playing well for us this year, is on his way out and taking his ridiculously bloated salary with him. Mardy Collins and his once-a-day airball is going with him too. We get Cuttino Mobley and 11 years of experience that also comes with 33 year old legs. Tim Tim Thomas figures he'd do his second tour of duty with the Knicks.
So who cares about now we are mediocre at best for the next 2 years. We will have 28 million per year in salary cap room to give to LeBron and likely another player in the summer of 2010.
Who you want to be playing with LeBron in 2010? Here is what will certainly be an historic free agent class that year.
Joe Johnson
Ray Allen
Manu Ginobili
Marcus Camby
Tracey McGrady
Shaquille O'Neal
Brad Miller
Stephen Jackson
Jermaine O'Neal
Mike Miller
Rip Hamilton
Amare Stoudamire
LeBron James
Dwayne Wade
Chris Bosh
Dirk Nowitzki
Josh Howard
Mike Redd
Tyson Chandler
Steve Nash
Carlos Boozer
Memo Okur
Hedo Turkoglu
Al Harrington
Jamal Crawford (option to opt-out after 09/10 season)
Amir Johnson
Derek Fisher
Raja Bell
T.J. Ford
Travis Outlaw
Luke Ridnour
Now some of these players are restricted free agents and others will certainly sign extensions or retire or go to Europe. I don't know about you but I want LeBron over any other player. And as Much as I would like to get him and Amare and Dwayne Wade, it is unlikely. So here are some players who I think we will be able to afford.
Nash
Ford
Chandler
Howard
I think that these 4 guys woudl play well with LeBron and perhaps would take a slight pay cut to be able to play with him in front of the best crowd in the world.
Yeah I heard Jalen Rose say that he had "credible sources" tell him that the Knicks were going to sign Bosh and Bron is 2010....however, a credible source to him may be the janitor at the ESPN offices in Bristol.
I think its a 70 % chance at this time that lebron will sign with the knicks since they just got kicked out the playoffs by the magic and he see's that 5 years with the cavs isnt doing it but then u look at why he will stay and it outweighs why he would leave so now its a 50% chance.
now the fact that the knicks dont have clutch or supporters for lebron right now makes it a 40% chance and that they are in a rebuilding stage makes it a 20% chance and that there defense cant win championships makes it a 0% chance but the money the knicks are gonna lay on him makes it a 100% chance