I would gladly trade you Lebron for a Monta Ellis today.

by Vortex7 on Nov 18, 2009 8:00 PM EST Comment 12 comments

(Warning: This will be a very long rant.)

In about 7 months the summer of Lebron will begin. A moment that we, as Knicks fans, have been told to wait for for...I don't even want to think how long. I can see it now. Years of saving, contracts unloaded, Lebron wearing Yankee's gear - practically flirting with New Yorkers. The day comes. It's time to sign on the dotted line. Pretend you're Lebron. You're a part of championship caliber team. Your hometown team. Everybody eats out of the palm of your hand. For all the big shots you make, you're also one of the most selfless and best defensive players in the game. You sign with the Knicks...wait? Why do you sign with the Knicks? The simple answer is -you don't. Why would you pass on the opportunity to stay with a team that loves you, that has built around you, and the opportunity to be recognized as a hometown guy who made good for a team that, even with you on the roster, is still several years at minimum away from legitimate playoff contention? If I was a betting man - I would say there is no way Lebron is NY bound and I wouldn't expect Wade anytime soon either. Which brings me to Popeye's ol' pal Wimpy. Who would no doubt say "I would gladly trade you Lebron for a Monta Ellis today.

Not to say that Golden State is particularly desperate to unload Monta and, if they are, would be willing to take on Eddy Curry's contract. Such a deal wouldn't be particularly stupid on Golden State's part. You grab a contract that expires 3 years sooner than Ellis's plus maybe a Wilson Chandler who has shown flashes of real talent. It's the closest they'll likely get to a 'do over" on the Ellis contract extension. Is it realistic to believe that will do this? No. If they do should the Knicks jump all over it? Absolutely.

First and foremost, let's take into account what he would bring to us on the court for the remaining 4 years on his contract. You get a scorer pure and simple. Even while playing angry in Golden State thus far this year, he's averaging 19.7 points a game with a startling 54.5% clip from beyond the arch. That's the sort of ability to elongate defenses and keep them honest that no other player of the Knicks can even try and rival. You get versatility. Is he selfish? Yes. So you play him off the ball at shooting guard to start off with and then put the ball in his hands from time to time. Instantly, our back court looks a lot better with him and Douglas than with Duhon and Hughes. Is he capable the other team's top guard one on one. Probably not. But he is very quick and has averaged just under 2 steals a game thus far this season. He can distribute, isn't afraid to rebound, and brings us everything Iverson-wanters are clamoring for in a younger, more talented package.

But it's what he does for us off the court that makes such a venture worth it. Does getting Ellis take us out of the Lebron sweepstakes? Probably. And if it doesn't, money will be so tight that they'll probably have to hire some fans to fill in as backups - but we were probably out of the Lebron race anyway. I've been vocal in that I think our best bet in 2010 free agency is Joe Johnson. I think he's versatile between the 2 and the 3, is at least awake defensively, and - most importantly - thrived as a young player in D'Antoni's offense in Phoenix. I would assume he's the most likely star to even consider us. But whether you are keeping your fingers crossed for Johnson or Bosh or Stoudemire you have to think - why would - assuming all things are equal - these players leave playoff teams to join the Knicks? Even if you love Lebron. Why would Lebron want to come to the Knicks? We aren't a star away from being a contender. We're at least 2 stars plus some steady role players away. If we trade for Ellis now we're giving the league, our fans, and perhaps most importantly the "second tier 2010 free agents" 44 million indications that while we want to make a splash in 2010, we're starting to build now. Monta Ellis, while not necessarily the example of team player, is at the very least a big time, young talent who Johnson or Bosh or the like can look at and say "At least I won't be alone."

The deal makes even more sense when you star thinking, well, dollars and cents. For all those who were devastated when the NBA announced the shrinking salary cap - pretty much nixing any hopes of Lebron and Wade both coming to New york - well this is your chance for the next best thing. Is Joe Johnson and Monta Ellis as good as Lebron and Dwayne Wade? No way. Are they better than Lebron and some mid-level exception? I think so. We aren't likely to find a better 2nd option at 11 million dollars through free agency, so why not take him now? Pair him with Johnson and all of a sudden we're saving money. Money that can be used to sign David Lee long term (I know I'm the minority here, but I see him getting lost in the free agent shuffle and signing with us for 30/4. You don't throw away doube doubles!) and some role players. Some free agent role players I like - Steve Blake, Devin Brown, Joe Alexander. Think about it. Suddenly you're looking at a 4 year nucleus of Johnson, Ellis, and Lee with developing youth in Gallinari and Douglas joining them in starting 5 and the likes of Hill, Jeffries/Chandler (if they stick around), Blake and Alexander off the bench. Does that team scare Cleveland, Orlando, or Boston? Probably not. But at least they'd be able to compete on the same floor and maybe we can take "second tier teams" like Washington, Toronto, and Chicago. Boston and Cleveland have closing windows - maybe we can compete.

I know I've gone too long. I'm just very enthusiastic about this. Getting Monta Ellis could be the first domino in the quickest, most effective fix I see the Knicks getting.

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"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 18, 2009 8:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like this idea

I am not crazy about Ellis but I think he could be a good fir here. I agree that it might be time to give up on the LBJ dream and I like Joe Johnson on this team as well.

by Frederic Weis on Nov 18, 2009 9:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What?

Hey man, you need to get some sleep. Do you really think that Monta Ellis surrounded by Steve Blake, Joe Alexander, and Devin Brown is a “fixed” version of the Knicks?
I really do like Joe Johnson, but with every Hawks win this season, he’s looking less likely. They really are a good team now, and I think he’s enjoying it.

by StarksMiddleFinger on Nov 19, 2009 1:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

there is another issue against this..

I would be ok with having Joe Johnson. But He and Monta Ellis will not coexist. They both play the same position essentially. Our playoff Knicks are left with Toney Douglas at PG (a 2nd year player taking control over 2 seasoned vets that are both #1 options) and we would still have David Lee playing Center. Hey, I don’t care who we bring in, guardwise, but we are going nowhere if David Lee is manning the middle. He is NOT a center. He is playing there out of a team desperation.

You cannot believe that we would spend two years tanking in order to blow our load on two guys that both fill the same need. Just look at the way ellis has embraced the rookie drafted to slide him over to a more natural SG spot? They both require so many shots per game and we have already learned that just signing ‘scorers’ does not guarantee they continue to score. Do you remember when we signed Houston and Larry Johnson? Our offense looked amazing on paper (i think it was like 116 ppg or something) but of course no one reached any career highs because there just weren’t enough touches and shots to go around.

Whatever we do, we need to sign a G and a F or C if possible.

And Joe Alexander… for all his injuries…if he cant find minutes in Milwaukee… he has much to prove. Devin Brown too. These are bottom of the barrell guys…

by Chris Child's Fist on Nov 19, 2009 9:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Why waste time with Monta when Rudy Gay and Joe Johnson (who only cares about the money) will be available. The Knicks could take a risk on Joe Alexander for CHEAP and still have a look at Lebron, D-Wade, Bosh, Amare, etc.

The Cavs and Heat are terrible without their star players doing absolutely everything on those teams. You take them off those squads and the Heat & Cavs have as bad a record as the Wolves or perhaps even the Nets!

Now its’ true that Cleveland is Lebron’s home, so that is a plus for Cleveland, and D-Wade loves Miami, but if they were dead set on staying they would have resigned already. All this talk about them using other teams as leverage is garbage, because they are 2 of the 3 biggest stars in the NBA, they don’t need leverage!

Still Lebron being at home must be nice for him, and D-Wade may want to do the same and go home to Chicago and team with Rose, so both players are big question marks come free agency, but make no mistake, their teams blow. It’s Wade’s/Lebron’s stats that make them look good.

I for one expect LA to win it all this year … sorry Clipper fans but when I say LA I mean the Lakers.

by 2010-NYK on Nov 19, 2009 10:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Isiah? Is that you?

Nothing against Ellis as a player, but it’s just foolish to give up on getting LeBron/Wade/Bosh right now for a player of Ellis’ caliber. He can play, but he’s not a transcendant talent and his attitude is questionable. He’s not on the level of a Wade or a Paul.

LeBron might come to the Knicks if one of these two things happen: 1. Cleveland regresses and gets bumped in the second round, and 2. Toney Douglas, Gallo, Chandler, Hill et al show some chemistry and some flashes of brilliance late in the season, maybe knocking off a few good teams.

Those two things, combined with LeBron’s love of the Yankees and NY, could bring him here.

Giving up on that possibility for a guy like Ellis, for 3 years at 11 Million saddles you with a guy who probably makes more than he’s worth and is prone to disgruntlement. It’s an Isiah type move. I think better opportunities will come down the line. If LeBron doesn’t sign with them, the cap space is still there – we could still possibly sign Wade, Bosh, Amare or have the cap flexibility to pull off a trade for a disgruntled Chris Paul.

I wouldn’t do this. No way.

by fuhry on Nov 19, 2009 11:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Correction

LeBron might come to the Knicks if BOTH of those two things happen.

by fuhry on Nov 19, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

thank you.

Leave the ISIAHing to Isiah.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 19, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have terrible visions.

I mean this will all be for not if the Iverson rumors are true. But if I’m Zeeking, then you guys are trying to play fantasy basketball. The odds are in your favor. The Knicks seem content on just playing this season through and trying to rebuild this summer. I like the idea of Gay/Johnson over Ellis/Johnson, but that’s just more stipulation. Ellis is talent right now. A building block right now. He and Ellis have similar strengths, only one is 4 inches taller and 60 pound heavier than the other. Johnson can play the 3 or 2, Ellis the 2 or 1. I just don’t want to be here in 7 months when everybody is in shock why James and Wade and Bosh aren’t around. Then where are we?

I will defend Blake, Brown, and Alexander as role players. Alexander is injury prone, yes. But he’s also very athletic, long, can run the floor, and is a very, very good defender. Did anybody else watch the NBA playoffs. Players like Ariza and Peitrus were able to come out and shut down the oppostion’s best shooter. Could Alexander be a bust? Yes. Could he be a cheaper version of those two players? Yes.

Blake is an excellent, pass-first PG who is experienced in the motion offense. He would be a great addition in the back court as a guy who can help Douglas, feed our playmakers (if we have any), and play good defense. Brown is cheap offense, pure and simple. Is he a guy who I’d want on the floor for more than 15 minutes a night? No. Can he score in spurts as your 8th or 9th best player for real cheap? YES.

by Vortex7 on Nov 19, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ellis is a headache.

He’s a scorer, that’s it. If Nate Robinson remembers who he is again, he’s as good a scorer off the bench as Ellis could be. And if they re-sign him, not $11 mill per year either.

Its too much money, the Knicks are intent on cleaning the slate. WHY do we need to get Ellis now?

Maybe, in the offseason if there’s nothing else and the Knicks could use a Ben Gordon-lite type player.

I wouldn’t mind Blake, Brown or Alexander for the bench tho.

I like the idea of Gay/Johnson over Ellis/Johnson

you forgot to pause that.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 19, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

im glad

that this will not happen due to donnie’s plan for the summer. Would much prefer the curry trade to houston for a draft pick, or the invisible man, tracy mcgrady (who’s contract is also up after this year).

While we’re throwing scenarios around, how about two max contracts and 2 veteran minimums to the following…james, bosh, Iverson, mcgrady, , respectively. Throw in jordan hill at the 4, and that would fill the seats, and could be the starting 5 for the all-star team. too bad its impossible though haha.

I feel like J.P. from angels in the outfield…hey it could happen!

by Ray Smuckles on Nov 19, 2009 3:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

that's just more fantasy basketball thinking

iverson? mcgrady? good luck having them settle for the minimum while also help bring gallo, douglas, and hill along, play well, and stay healthy. bosh is the only one there who would even consider signing with us, and he’s earmarked for miami.

again. not in love with monta. i don’t see it actually happening. but he’s a building block and a very legitimate second option.

by Vortex7 on Nov 19, 2009 5:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs