I don't believe the team is making the correct choice with regards to Blake. Just the opposite. But it sure seems like the team values Blake over Bayless and Rudy. It's the only explination I can think of for Blake to consistently get more minutes the either guy. I have come to terms with the fact that Blake will be resigned on a long term, low cost contract. He will play big minutes for the next few years. And his play will cost the team at least one game (most likely a whole series) in the playoffs.
Hey guy, if we make a trade we'd be in danger of not being the team with the most assets. I don't think anyone wants that. Assets = Maybe championships someday maybe.
Incorrect. Unless they trade Lee or renounce his rights they will have a BIG cap hold that counts against their cap space for his anticipated future salary. If they want to keep him, that's fine, but if they want to use that cap space to go after another max. contract player, they need to trade him or let him walk (renounce his rights). Who knows what the Knicks plans are? If they renounce ALL of their expiring contracts, they will be about $30 million under the cap, but only have a handful of players left. So, they could go after multiple max. contract guys and fill out the roster with a bunch of min contract and rookie contract players (Rudy would be a good piece for them to go with Galinari). Or, they could keep Lee, go after a max. contract player and a couple of decent role players. Who knows. They will have enough cap space to explore many options. The problem is they need to decide who they are going to keep and who they will renounce before they even get to start negotiating with any free agents. So, it's going to be a big gamble. They may renounce guys only to later regret it if they don't land any big name max. contract free agents. BNM
So if we have all this talent, why do we struggle to make the playoffs every year? Even with Roy out, if these guys had the talent level many on this board make them out to be, some players should be stepping up and playing at a higher level. So why isnt' it happening? I keep seeing folks saying Rudy could start elsewhere. So why isn't he performing like a starter when Roy is out? The same with Bayless. The same with Batum. I see a bunch of young players playing scared. They have the possibility of being good one day, but it's not right now, and it's not guaranteed. Hell right now I have a hard time even putting Lamarcus as the 7th best PF in the confernce, let alone the whole league. This is a guy who is supposed to be stepping up as our number 2 scorer, and another one of the "potential" guys. When does the "potential" talk stop, and reality set in?
Agreed on Rudy. I'd like to trade him while he has value as a cheap young, exciting player with upside. Batum, in the 8 games he's played this season is playing like a starter - and he should be starting and getting starters minutes soon. Bayless is still inconsistent, but he is more productive that Rudy and is playing like a borderline starter (some nights he looks great, other nights not so much). He'll get there. He's still very young, didn't get to play much last year and has shown significant improvement this year. I see him coming off the bench and backing up both guards spots for a another season to season and a half - at which point he starts next to Roy. I think he'll be ready by then. But, I would like to trade Rudy so Bayless gets all the back-up SG minutes after Roy comes back. I think it's critical for his development that he continues to get 24+ MPG. BNM
When they get traded to a team with a coach who uses them better and put the wood to Portland year after year.
Yeah, I saw that after I posted my response. I started typing it in, got distracted by something else and then finished it half an hour later. In any case, it will be interesting to see what the Knicks do with Lee. He's a good big man and very productive in their system. If they want to keep him his cap hold will take up the cap space that could be used to offer another max. contract deal to another player. But, is that fools gold? How many big name free agents actually end up changing teams? Not a lot. And what are the odds the Knicks could convince more than one to do so? Remember all that cap space the Bulls had several years ago after Jordan and Pippin left? They couldn't get ANY big name players to sign with them. The Magic got both TMac and Grant Hill, and almost got Duncan, but he re-signed with the Spurs at the last minute. Unfortunately, with no Duncan and Hill's injuries all that cap space got them was a couple scoring titles for Tmac and several more years in the lottery. Orlando and Miami are often considered desirable cities for free agents due to the sunny winter climate, but NYC is THE big market in this country. The endorsement potential for an NBA superstar there is huge. Would LeBron, Dwade, Bosh, Carmelo, etc. be willing to take less salary in exchange for the greater endorsement potential and media limelight of playing in the Big Apple? Would a couple of them be willing to pair up and share the spotlight for the chance of winning it all in NY? Who knows. Donnie Walsh sure hopes so. Is he willing to give up David Lee to find out? BNM
