Thursday, September 29, 2005
Other GMs
We are left with a situation where we have to rely on other GMs to save us from our own. Apparantly the Bulls said no to trading Eddy Curry for Sweetney and Tim Thomas. Thank god.
I am no fan of Tim Thomas, but in the peverse world of the NBA CBA, he has real value. His overpriced contract expires at the end of the season. Some would think that this means he is fodder for a team looking for cap room next year, so he should be traded. That's wrong. The Knicks ought to let his contract come off their cap instead of taking on (yet another) big contract as a part of swapping Thomas for young talent/draft picks. We are a team looking for cap room and need to do this.
But we won't. We'll trade Thomas for someone with 3-4 years of a too rich contract along with either a mid-level pick or someone with marginal upside. Do you see how that repeats a cycle?
I would not have traded Sweetney straight up for Curry (see below). The thought that we'd offer Sweetney and Tim Thomas shows how warped the current management really is. Again, while I hate the Bulls, I have to thank them for saving us from ourselves.
I am no fan of Tim Thomas, but in the peverse world of the NBA CBA, he has real value. His overpriced contract expires at the end of the season. Some would think that this means he is fodder for a team looking for cap room next year, so he should be traded. That's wrong. The Knicks ought to let his contract come off their cap instead of taking on (yet another) big contract as a part of swapping Thomas for young talent/draft picks. We are a team looking for cap room and need to do this.
But we won't. We'll trade Thomas for someone with 3-4 years of a too rich contract along with either a mid-level pick or someone with marginal upside. Do you see how that repeats a cycle?
I would not have traded Sweetney straight up for Curry (see below). The thought that we'd offer Sweetney and Tim Thomas shows how warped the current management really is. Again, while I hate the Bulls, I have to thank them for saving us from ourselves.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Eddy Curry for Sweetney, why?
Part of me sees some logic in this trade, provided that you're sure that Curry's medical issues (cardiac) are not material. Curry probably has more upside than Sweetney right now. He's young, tall and could become a real force.
But that discounts the fact that Curry has played out his rookie contract and is awaiting a new deal. Sweetney isn't. Are we prepared to say that Sweetney at the end his contract won't be the player Currry is now?
On balance, Thomas should pass on this deal. Why commit real money for Curry if its a bet on both his health and his upside? Those are the committments that got us in trouble in the first place. Don't forget about the money spent on James. Sweetney is reasonably priced and you don't have to decide about a new contract right now.
Putting money aside and health aside, trading Sweetney for Curry seems like a wash. Factoring in health and salary, it would be a deal done out of desparation.
But that discounts the fact that Curry has played out his rookie contract and is awaiting a new deal. Sweetney isn't. Are we prepared to say that Sweetney at the end his contract won't be the player Currry is now?
On balance, Thomas should pass on this deal. Why commit real money for Curry if its a bet on both his health and his upside? Those are the committments that got us in trouble in the first place. Don't forget about the money spent on James. Sweetney is reasonably priced and you don't have to decide about a new contract right now.
Putting money aside and health aside, trading Sweetney for Curry seems like a wash. Factoring in health and salary, it would be a deal done out of desparation.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Trade a legend, bad things happen to you
Shaq said it shortly after the Knicks traded Patrick Ewing and he was right. The New York Times published an article analyzing what that trade wrought and the mistakes that followed it:
NYT Article
Read closely. Thomas makes a stark concession that part of his strategy is to have multiple players with upside and reasonable contracts who can be traded in the future. That's bad news for Knicks fans. Think Nate and Sweetney for another McDyess. It could also mean that the two picks we have next year will be traded away.
As I've said in prior posts, its about building from the draft and small trades for upside. Thomas wants sizzle without cooking the steak.
Trading the big fella didn't get us here by itself. What did it was not realizing that trading Patrick was akin to dismantling the Bulls. It should have signaled a time to rebuild. Instead, it caused a host of rash and expensive moves which crippled the team far more than the loss of a franchise center.
NYT Article
Read closely. Thomas makes a stark concession that part of his strategy is to have multiple players with upside and reasonable contracts who can be traded in the future. That's bad news for Knicks fans. Think Nate and Sweetney for another McDyess. It could also mean that the two picks we have next year will be traded away.
As I've said in prior posts, its about building from the draft and small trades for upside. Thomas wants sizzle without cooking the steak.
Trading the big fella didn't get us here by itself. What did it was not realizing that trading Patrick was akin to dismantling the Bulls. It should have signaled a time to rebuild. Instead, it caused a host of rash and expensive moves which crippled the team far more than the loss of a franchise center.
