<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Knicks' president was conspicuously absent from yesterday's game and the official word from the club was that Thomas is out of town on business. That business could include trying to swing a trade for Portland forward/center Theo Ratliff, a deal that Thomas has been working on for months.The Knicks, according to a league source, are willing to trade Penny Hardaway's contract for Ratliff, while the Blazers would prefer to expand the trade to include Ruben Patterson and David Lee. Thomas and Larry Brown have said repeatedly that they aren't looking to part with any of their younger players.</div>
That would be a big mistake putting in David Lee in the trade. Theo Ratliff has no offense and can get overpowered on defense. The only thing he is good at is shot blocking.
I don't like trading away Lee, but Isiah seems content to. Ratliff would be great for defensive purposes, but at this point we don't need it. So lets just keep the youth on the team and trade away what high priced veterans we can.
I don't know if that would work. Ratliff is a better overall player and can do much more things than Lee could do. But they are both good players.
I really wouldn't be surprised by this. They really need some interior defense,. The only post defender they had was AD, and he's gone now.
Ratliff played under Brown in Philly and is the type of player you would think he would want Thomas to go after. Hes a good defender and post presence. Only question is, where are you gonna play him? You are already paying Curry $65 mil to park his fat <Censored> in the lane, and Frye should start PF, so he would have to come off the bench..He would make sence in terms of the type of player he is and they need defensive minded guys. but money wise and looking at their roster I dont know if its the right move for them.
Isiah, if you are reading this. Age is a thing in every NBA players carrear. Something Ratliff has, old and overpriced...think about it. But then agian you want LeBron and KG on the same team, and still wouldnt be happy. What ever you want
Maybe Ratliff isnt the answer for them, but they definatly need to look at that type of player. They need an inside presence who can play d..<Censored>, they need anyone that can play d..Look at their backcourt now..Francis and Marbury 6'3 and 6'2...Cant wait till the Nets play them Friday..
