"The One Player the Knicks Need"

by Seth on May 6, 2007 11:49 AM EDT in News

I just came across this article by Ken Berger of Newsday on the "one player" Isiah Thomas needs this offseason. Berger makes a very strong case for chasing Kevin Garnett (and actually throws Jermaine O'Neal's name around). Berger:

Kevin Garnett would give the Knicks everything they are lacking -- a proven scorer and ferocious defender at the power forward position to complement Eddy Curry. Though Curry exceeded all reasonable expectations this season with the team on his shoulders, this wouldn't have to be his team to carry if he were sharing the low block with someone as gifted and dynamic as Garnett.

Berger goes on to say that the T-Wolves still insist they are not trading Garnett, but that it remains a possibility nonetheless. He also proposes a package of Frye, Crawford, Jeffries, Rose, the 23rd pick, and maybe even David Lee for the high-priced KG.

I don't know how I feel about all this. I've long been in the anti-Garnett camp, but Berger does make a good point about the role he could have on this team. The amount that we'd have to give up for him still kind of bothers me, though. And as you know, Isiah's expensive deals over the last few years have scared me into believing that it's best to improve through the draft. It almost seems like we should be the ones dumping a big-salary player for young'uns and draft picks. Also, this team finally achieved some kind of friendliness and cameraderie after years of in-fighting. Why fuck with that?

In summary, I believe this team is rebuilding. Garnett is a hell of a player, may be exactly what we need, but only has so much time left in the league. He could easily turn a run-of-the-mill playoff team into a contender, but I don't know that he could do that for the struggling Knicks. In my opinion, New York benefitted from an offseason of little personnel change, and would benefit again this summer.

I'm interested what you guys think, though.

Is Garnett worth chasing? If so, how much should we give up?
How much can he really help this team?
What about Jermaine O'Neal?
Will anyone take Steve Francis?
If not Garnett or O'Neal, then who do you think is the "one player" the Knicks need?

State your case in the comments.

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Comments

idea

well I don't know whether we shud cut the rebuilding and zoom in on KG or JO, but i do know one thing-Tmac and Yao Lost, despite having great games, because they don't have a dependable third optioin (shane battier?? Rafer alston??) Who on our team lives in houston, has played with the rockets and yao, is a PG, and would actually not be a head case on houston? Thats right kiddies, Steve Francis. I say we move him there, or at least just buy him out and let him go there, or anywhere for that matter. But if we could trade him for i dunno an expiring contract, that might make a big trade easier to happen with all the young guys. I realllly dont wanna see J Craw go though...

by Prezs2ReprsntMe on May 6, 2007 12:01 PM EDT 0 recs

answers

i don't think so, not for that high of a price anyway.
Garnett could get the knicks as far as the 2nd round.
JO's knees are a real concern.
Sober? no.
Derek Harper. not literally, just a true PG like him.

Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!

by Anthony Masons Haircut on May 6, 2007 1:07 PM EDT 0 recs

I like it...

As I am for one active reason interested in the fate of the 'Wolves (yeah, KG, as they have essentially shut down Eddie Griffin, whom I see as a Camby-caliber player if he ever gets his act together, but I digress), I would absolutely love to see KG in a Knicks uniform. Even in that trade scenario, I'd take him, and would absolutely love it, if D Lee remains a Knick. Complimentary moves would have to be throwing Francis and 'Cookies' James under a bus or train, in order to try and find a shooting guard. Why do I love it? KG's game is the best addition to Curry you can ever make... ballhandling, rebounding and defense galore, a few blocks in the mix and most important: he can and will shoot that mid-range jumper, or pass the ball. Immense upgrade over any PF on the roster at the moment. Additionally KG is not only a superstar and Hall of Famer to be, but a warrior to the bone, fighting for every second, he's on the floor and reportedly a great teammate, as long as you're on the same page. And if Minni is any indicator, he doesn't give a crap about being the prime fiddle.
So, give me KG any day, and I will like it.
Sadly I don't see it happen. Even less of a chance than the JO or Gasol trade scenarios.

speaking of which... I don't like the JO scenario, but can't really put a finger to it... too many red flags for my liking, be it his knees, his relation to Isiah or his general court presence which doesn't send me into a frenzy, like KGs.
As for Pau... I think, and have made the argument here, that I would like him as a Knick, moving him to the PF spot... he's not as bad a defender as he's made to be, he's shown he can rebound (not that Curry would be any challenge in that department) and he's got a good mid-range game. So nothing I dislike there, and he could be a tad less pricey.

In answer to the question, how much these players would help: In my opinion, a off-season w/o any change and a season w/o major injuries (being a far stretch in itself) would see the Knicks in the play-offs next year and a fast exit. Any of the three players could see them to Round 2, with luck to the conference finals and from there anything is possible.
I read several times, KG isn't worth it, cause he's in his prime, or past it... so, you think Starbury has a decade left in the tank?

Who or what would help the Knicks the most (except the above)? Besides divine intervention, a lightning strike to Dolan and Zeke... hell, I don't know... maybe Carmelo or Jason Richardson or Antawn Jamison... a dynamic wing with shooting stroke to add to a hopefully injury-free Q-Rich.

jm2c

Cya Wraith

by wraith on May 6, 2007 2:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Good points.

Another question I have, though, is whether Curry and Garnett can co-exist. Curry is useless if he doesn't have the ball, while Garnett likes to create shots for himself. Someone needs to be "the man" down low..and I can't imagine Garnett being willing to sacrifice touches, or Curry being useful without a lot of touches.

Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on May 6, 2007 2:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Also

For what it's worth, I think the one player the Knicks need is Corey Brewer.

Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on May 6, 2007 2:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

a little humor-rumor

I'd like Brewer... seems to be the above-mentiones slasher-shooter type...

As a humorous side-note, the one thing the Knicks really need:

JVG

As for the "touches" and deferring thingie... may be wishful thinking, but KG with Spree and Cassell worked out... and as I said, I could see KG as jump shooter, rather than inside force... and even if not: try to double team both those guys.

Cya Wraith

by wraith on May 6, 2007 3:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Van gundy

I think coaching New York might kill Van Gundy.

The point about double-teaming both Curry and Garnett is a good one. However, while I would agree that Garnett is a jump shooter, but he's not really a catch-and-shoot guy.

Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on May 6, 2007 3:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

right

JVG in NYC again... a killing spree waiting to happen. But interesting to see, how he would try to get that crew to buy into defense first.

I think we won't see that argument solved anytime soon, but I <u>think</u> the mark of a great player is the ability to adapt... and I regard KG as one of the greats...

I only know, I'll yell and shout, if I read of that trade happening, so my gf will think I went crazy in the end.

Cya Wraith

by wraith on May 6, 2007 3:25 PM EDT 0 recs

My response...

Garnett is a top player in the NBA. Yes, he should be winning more, even with nothing on his team, but no one can deny that he's great. He won 47 games with Marbury back when they were young and immature, and with no one else on their team; they can win 55 games with Curry, and whoever is left after the trade.

And they should trade everyone necessary to get him, even if it means Lee, Crawford, and Curry.

I don't think it will be enough, anyway, but just saying.

As for Francis, if they can trade him to Houston for anything, I am happy. FYI, Charlie Ward is on the Rockets cap this season. That just makes me laugh.

I agree with Wraith about JO - too many flags. He is worth trying, but the Knicks should be very careful about the price they pay to get him. Remember, his contract is HUGE on the cap.

by stopmikelupica on May 7, 2007 12:01 AM EDT 0 recs

possible KG trade

i agree that trading francis for anything, even a warm 40, is a good idea. but i definetly wouldn't give up lee, crawford AND curry for KG.

it seems like crawford would have to be included in any deal but id really rather not part with him. same goes for lee obviously. im in favor of the wait-and-see approach. lets see what the draft brings and how this team starts next season before making any drastic moves.

i think we can all agree that isiah can ill-afford another "high risk" deal at this point.

Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!

by Anthony Masons Haircut on May 7, 2007 9:12 AM EDT up 0 recs