The Knicks are trying to clear enough cap space to sign two players to maximum contracts this offseason.
That was Donnie Walsh’s stated goal when he arrived and he is willing to spare no expense to do it.
Essentially Walsh traded Jordan Hill, the right to swap 1st rounders in 2011 (unless it’s #1 overall) and the 2012 1st round pick (top 5 protected) to get Jared Jeffries $6.9m contract for next season off the books.
He also got rid of problem child Nate Robinson but that wasn’t a salary cap move.
In the two deals the Knicks got Tracy McGrady, Sergio Rodriguez, Eddie House, Bill Walker and JR Giddens all of whom come off the cap at the end of the year.
So did Walsh accomplish his goal?
He has $17.7m committed next year to Eddy Curry (yikes!), Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Toney Douglas.
A max player like LeBron will get $16.7m.
If the cap falls to around $53m (expected because of the recession) the Knicks wouldn’t be able to sign two max players (they’d still need to sign at least 6 more players to at least the NBA minimum).
They could sign a max guy and another guy to just short of the max, maybe LeBron and Joe Johnson. Or instead of Johnson, David Lee for $10m per season and still have $4.9m to spend on another player.
Here’s the list of guys potentially available this year:
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd.
Best case scenario LeBron, David Lee and a serviceable point guard.
Worst-case (reasonable): Amare and Ray Allen. They need to use this money to build for the long-term.
Even better case: when Curry’s money comes off after next year they use it to sign Tony Parker.
As much as it kills me to give up basically four years of first round picks (though we will have one in 2011) the Knicks have to go for this 100%, if they half-ass it their chances of landing LeBron or Wade diminish. I think this is the right move for the long-term health of the franchise, go scorched-earth and make your best effort to sign the best player in the league.
Best day for Knick fans since they reached the '99 Finals...
ReplyDeleteJuice, you're assuming Lebron, Wade or anybody else worth a maximum contract has any interest in playing for the Knicks.
ReplyDeleteI predict we sign Amare and spend the rest of the cap room taking on bad contracts nobody wants in trades and re-start this cycle all over again.
Actually, Poop, you're forgetting that Curry's expiring contract will be an asset next year. One scenario I've read about that I like is if they sign one of the big three, use the rest of the cap room on Lee and a defensive center like Camby and then flip Curry's contract for a decent point guard.
ReplyDeleteReissberg, what did you think I meant when I said when Curry's money comes off they should sign Tony Parker?
ReplyDeleteThe Knicks will get Joe Johnson (not sure how i feel about that) and Chris Bosh I think. I wouyld say Amare, but i dont know if he is going to opt out of his $18M contract for next year
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