A Weekend Free Agency Thread
by Seth on Jul 31, 2009 11:34 AM EDT
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PrintHere's the story, babies. After months of false starts and failures, it appears the Knicks are finally ready to make a move. Of course, this move promises to come during the single extended stretch this summer when I'll be away from my computer. I'm leavin' town in an hour or two, and likely won't get more than a passing glance at the internets until Sunday night. What I'm gonna do is throw up a few relevant links ("throw up" as in post. I can't actually vomit links quite yet.) and leave it to you guys to keep the thread updated with what you're hearing and reading. If there's any big news (the Knicks make a formal offer or somebody accepts said offer), I'd appreciate if someone could post a nice, coherent Fanpost or Fanshot that gives appropriate credit to the news source. The powers that be (!!!) will probably promote one of them to the front page and the discussion can take off there. Anyway, here's what's up at the moment:
- As I posted at an ungodly hour this morning, Marc Stein is reporting that, if certain things fall the right way, a New York offer sheet for Ramon Sessions should be enough to pry him away from the Bucks.
- The aforementioned "things" include Hakim Warrick's choice of team, and also the possibility that the Bucks might prefer a sign-and-trade (which is unlikely, but has been mentioned).
- Frank Isola's article this morning sort of throws a wrench in my excitement with the following:
Ramon Sessions could receive a contract offer from the Knicks as early as Friday, assuming they don't have a change of heart and shift their point-guard focus to Allen Iverson.
Mike D'Antoni is said to favor Sessions, a restricted free agent who enjoyed a breakout season for Milwaukee last year. However, Iverson could be a cheaper alternative because the perennial All-Star is willing to accept a one-year contract that would cost the Knicks their $5.85 million mid-level exception. Sessions, 23, is hoping to receive a multi-year contract starting with the mid-level exception. The Bucks would have seven days to match the offer.
According to a team source, Knicks president Donnie Walsh and Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, met two weeks ago to discuss the possibility of Iverson joining the Knicks. Iverson had a subpar year last season with Detroit and desperately wants to salvage his career.
Like I said, "sort of". Two weeks is centuries in free agency time, and I'm just not buying a one-year Iverson rental for "buzz" sake alone. This is New York. And if he could barely take the damn Pistons to the Playoffs, then what's he gonna do with the Knicks? Anyway, I'm going to take the liberty of dismissing this rumor entirely, but I'm interested to see if any of you guys would prefer (the admittedly cheaper) Iverson to Sessions. I don't think the Knicks do at all. Just asking.
- Remember that Jamaal Tinsley is still a possibility if the Sessions thing doesn't work out.
That's what's happening at the moment. Things will likely progress over the next day or two, so keep your eyes and ears open and share what you find in this thread. I'll check in later tonight, then I'm out until Sunday. I love you all very much. There's food in the fridge. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.
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i think
that iverson and sessions are unrelated.
Here is what I think donnie is thinking:
PG: Go after sessions. If the bucks want Duhon as part of a S&T then do that and sign tinsley as a backup. If Sessions falls apart… sign Tinsley as Duhons backup. If getting Sessions does not involve Duhon… then no need for Tinsley.
SG/8th man: Nate for a good deal. If that doesnt work… then AI for 1 year.
I think Lee will be signed Long Term for a good price, because nobody else wants him.
Hopefully
Iverson’s a smoke screen, if he’s anything at all.
I mean AI in Pringles O would be OK, cuz unlike the Pistons the Knicks know they aren’t going anywhere.
Of course like any of the rumored geezers to the Knicks, anything over a 1 year deal with AI would be as dumb as rehiring ______, any Knicks FO member of regimes post good years.
….Sessions would be great, I’ve liked the idea of him signing since its been rumored to the Knicks.
He’d finally be a wise use of the MLE.
signing Iverson for a one year rental
will do little or nothing to develop the young guys. Here’s Iverson on the court, with the ball of course. [AI thinking]…my options are…(a) pass it to Wilson, but he’s only been playing minutes for a year so no; (b) pass it to Gallo, but his back might go out and they’ll blame me; © get the ball to a rook…heh, just kidding; (d) Harrington is covered….well, I guess that leaves me as the best option to take the shot…afterall, I need to get that juicy contract next offseason and these young guys still have time to grow when I’m gone. [/AI thinking]
Warrick agrees to one-year deal with the Bucks
according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/52196297.html
terms are not mentioned, but you have to figure its more than the $2 mil offered by Cleveland (and you have to figure its more than the $3 mil qualifying offer that Memphis withdrew). A one year deal doesn’t make the most sense, unless Warrick simply wants to try to win some playing time this year and prove he’s worth more next year when more teams will have more money.
anyway, if the Knicks make a legit offer to Sessions, and assuming Warrick signed in the $3-4 mil range, then the Bucks would be in the tax range if they matched Sessions. so, in short…time to fire up that offer sheet Mr. Walsh.
good good
its all going according to plan
"if it aint broke, dont break it"
by babyeater26 on Jul 31, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
But if Sessions turns out to be unavailable..
It’s not like Iverson is a terrible second choice. And as far as him not taking the Pistons to the playoffs, Chauncey wouldn’t have been able to get there if Sheed was “trying” as hard as he was last season.
not to mention
richard hamilton and iverson play exactly the same way. iverson just holds the ball longer.
twitter.com/aighttho
I think Sessions has been the real goal the whole time. AI and Tinsley interviews were made so it looked like the knicks have options and aren’t that hung up on Sesh. misinformation.
what I don’t get isn’t didn’t we sign Duhon as a stopgap for PG play until the summer of love? I mean he’s not the greatest, but we’ve got a bit of logjam at the position already. (duhon, natedogg, ghostface)
Part of the problem
is that outside of Rondo (who likely is retained by Boston), there are no PGs in the summer of love. the Knicks were hoping that Nash would want to reunite with D’Antoni…and that getting Nash would lure 1 or 2 other big names to the Apple. As long as Nash was going to be available in the summer of love, I think the Knicks would have stuck with the stopgap plan. However, once Nash signed his extension, Knicks brass decided that it might behoove them to get a legit PG now, when one was available.
yea man
also sessions overtakes duhon as the primary option at point. and duhon’s contract runs out anyhow. we can either re-sign duhon to be a back-up – presumably for less money – or let him walk.
either way i give a warm welcome to the huge upgrade here.
twitter.com/aighttho
u cud lol
steve nash, cris paul, dwade, dwilliams, agent zero. now thats a starting five that would seriously get people to buy tickets.
then again if u want people to buy newspapers lol you could come up with 5 guards along the lines of
baron davis, isiah, starbury, gary payton, j r rider
by karamjitm9090 on Jul 31, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Which Free Agent PGs will be available in 2010?
Makes me think… now these rumors of the Knicks potentially signing Jason Williams?
Makes me that the Knicks are intentionally being cheap for next year. Maybe rent a PG for this year.
Perhaps all those reports of trying to get Nash and trying get Kidd were just distractions…
All to show that the Knicks are “trying” to do “something.”
But in reality they are just trying to save more money for next year.
2010 PG free agents
here’s the list:
Rondo (if Boston doesn’t extend him this summer…but, let’s be honest, Boston isn’t losing him)
Alston
Duhon
Ridnour
whoever signs a 1 year deal this summer (i.e., Tinsley, J-Will, AI)
of course, Udrih is probably always available via trade….anytime.
let’s face it, Nash was the real target. once he signed the extension in PHX, the Knicks became more serious about Sessions….they know what next year’s class will look like. Get Sessions now or continue with the stopgap options.
Except for Rondo
Thats a list full of scrubs. Knicks get Session and D’Antoni molds him into something magical.
indeed...
this is why Sessions may sign the Bucks’ QO this year and wait for a bigger payday next offseason. I’m guessing Sessions can get more over the next 5 years if he signs the QO for only $1 mil this year. if the Knicks want Sessions long term, Walsh better start acting like it.
my bad
baron davis doesnt really belong on it but cmon. have you seen him. dude looks like he goes to sleep every night after bitch slapping his hoes who dont provide the adequate sums he desires. his beard is soo badass. (id prefer him over allen anyday)
Mouhamed Sene waived?
From a novelty standpoint the Knicks just got a little less entertaining. Unless of course they are making room for the Skitan one.
Not 100% verified, but not sure why someone would make it up, Sene was unguaranteed.
http://twitter.com/ShamSports/status/3060983758
the
bucks got warrick apparently. that’s gotta put us over the edge for sessions right?
reppin NYC, and my clothing line, Recruit Zero !
www. recruitzero.com !!!
by Prezs2ReprsntMe on Jul 31, 2009 10:11 PM EDT reply actions
So we win exclusive rights to negotiation
with White Chocolate. Yay? If he’s presumably going to be the backup for Sessions (or Duhon if we don’t get Ramon), what does he bring that Nate doesn’t?
by Hood on Aug 1, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Thanks
I should probably include the almer mater in the line, too. Didn’t realize I left the Orange out.
Jason Williams
Let me put out there that of the guards beign talked about I would take Jason Williams over all of them. And I love Ramon Sessions. The reason is this. We have ONE more year to rebuild. In that same year (right fuckin now) we also have to become attractive to free agents and make the playoffs. Jason Williams is not that old 33(?) and helped bring D Wade his championship. Championship. His game has always been sick and he finally got his opportunity and fit in great with Miami that year. He runs, and he passes. Championship. Even if we can sign a star in 2010 (CP anyone?), he would walk or be backup with champ experience. Sessions is a great piece but just like Duhon was, he is an unproven leader.
When you say helped
do you just mean his was on the team? That championship team included Shaq, Posey, Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, etc… I’m sure J-Will was a useful piece but you make it sound like he was the pivotal piece.
the thought that this team
has to contend in 2009-10 to attract a big name free agent next summer is a myth.
what the Knicks have to prove is that they are moving in the right direction, and have some pieces that will continue to progress. the improvements of Nate (assuming he re-signs), Lee (ditto), Gallo, Chandler, maybe even Darko (?) and any signs of potential from Hill or Ghostface, are much more important than actual wins and losses.
also, i’m not trying to be Debbie Downer, but i think this team making the playoffs next season is a pipe dream.
Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!
by Anthony Masons Haircut on Aug 1, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree...
1. We’ve traded the useless Q for the possibly useful Darko, and drafted Jordan Hill to address our complete lack of a center last year
2. We’ve drafted Toney Douglas to address our complete lack of a backup point guard last year.
3. If Gallo is healthy and can play all year, that’s like adding a guy.
Not sure we’ll make the playoffs, but I like the direction so far. Except for being interested in point guards on the downside of their careers. I don’t get that one.
we've improved but
cleveland, boston, orlando, atlanta, miami, and chicago are all still better than us. then you consider toronto, washington, and detroit as teams that have made big time upgrades. and who knows if we’re even better than indiana or philly.
i don’t know about pipe dream – i think we have a chance – but it’s hard to call that chance anything but slim right now.
by latrell chokewell on Aug 1, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
true enough
If Gallo is a monster and Darko can provide some production at the 5, and Toney Douglas can play at the NBA level, they could make it. Those are big if’s, but it’s not completely implausible.
Teams can turn around very fast. I remember when the Knicks traded Cartwright for Oakley they suddenly got a lot better really fast. It’s a matter of getting the chemistry right, and/or having a rookie suddenly step up. It could happen. We’ll see.
as much as i hate Detroit
you absolutely have to put them in the “still better than us” category. they added Gordon and Villanueva to a lineup that already includes Rip, Stuckey, and Prince. same goes for Washington. their starting five next year (if healthy) could be Arenas, Miller, Butler, Jamison, Haywood. that would mean that on paper, the Knicks would be fighting for the 8th spot with Philly, Indy, Toronto among others.
maybe pipe dream is a stretch, but i agree that it’s going to be tough. fingers-crossed.
Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!
by Anthony Masons Haircut on Aug 4, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Jason Williams
is one of the worst defenders in the league, and it’s not like he can make it up on offense anymore. No thanks. If we sign him, I hope it’s for an end of the bench type thing. Let him come in when we’re getting blown out and do behind the back passes and crossovers. If “White Chocolate” is our only signing this summer, I think I might puke.
Well, the Bucks signed Hakim Warrick
Path to Sessions looks pretty dang clear. And he would be a fantastic value for the MLE [though you may be able to pick him up for less than that, even, now].
Vinny Del Negro: Possibly the most unintentionally irritating last name in the history of last names [Hint: I can't for the life of me pronounce it correctly].
-Brandon Jennings: PG of the future!
Seth...you may as well extend your vacation
the Knicks aren’t doing anything quickly. My guess on Sessions is that he wants to play for the Knicks, but the Knicks are offering a pretty lame offer because they are more concerned with their futile effort to sign a tier 1 FA next offseason (so they probably want Sessions to sign an offer sheet in the $3 mil range for the first 2 years…and then bump it up for years 3, 4 and possibly 5). The Clips are offering more money, but its not as desireable a situation for Sessions so he’s wavering on that offer sheet. There’s probably a couple other teams also considering Sessions. In short, I think Sessions might dictate the outcome here…I think the Knicks either improve their offer sheet or Sessions takes the 1 year QO from the Bucks, becomes an unrestricted FA next year…and, if he proves this year that he can shoot more consistently from outside, he’ll look for a contract in the $8-10 mil/year range. And, considering next year’s PG FA crop…and the number of teams that will have cap room…there’s probably a fair chance he gets that if he shows improvement this year. I’m going to say 50% chance on Walsh being an idiot, not offering enough (not because Sessions isn’t worth it, but to save cap room for next year), and Sessions signing the QO.
rubio?
what happened to the rubio dream? i would have loved to see him grow into a superstar under d’antoni
by nba refs: man up on Aug 2, 2009 11:56 PM EDT reply actions
It is not worth obtaining the rights to a player who wants to wear a Barcelona jersey for the next 2 seasons
and the knicks cannot afford to give away any pieces of the caliber it would take to acquire rubio’s rights if he won’t be in the nba right away.
"if it aint broke, dont break it"
he only wants to wear a barcelona jersey for the next 2 years because he got drafted by minnesota
he was begging for the knicks to trade up to get him and if he became a knick he would leave spain and never look back
by nba refs: man up on Aug 4, 2009 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
clearly walsh & co. dont feel it is worth it to give up any pieces of the long term puzzle for him
or they would have already done it instead of talking with sessions. There must be a reason rubio appears to be making plans to return to europe this year. Obviously the timberwolves do not have plans to trade him right now.
"if it aint broke, dont break it"
i agree
i was just saying i wish it had happened
by nba refs: man up on Aug 4, 2009 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions
I heard
that Rubio might end up playing for the Timberwolves this season after all. In which case, I assume Jonny Flynn would be available. Might be worth looking into.
wow
why is everyone on the jonny flynn bandwagon. yes he had a good tournament but that doesnt mean he will be a complete nba player. hes a if as a starting pg if you ask me let alone a star.
by karamjitm9090 on Aug 3, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
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