FanPost

So this is WAY early to be predicted, but...

It looks like Anthony Randolph will be joining the Knicks, alongside Ronny Turiaf and Kelenna Azubuike. This is obviously an impressive haul that we should be happy to get back, alongside the cap space it will save us. But HERE'S WHY THIS IS A HUGE DEAL:

If we have Randolph's incredibly cheap, 2-year (2nd year team option) contract, and the kid starts beasting for us early next year, is there a better trade chip to bring in Melo or CP3 out there??? I'm actually incredibly confident in the kid being able to put up HUGE numbers in D'Antoni's system, especially alongside another low post threat. As Seth has already started to do, just watch the highlight videos of Randolph on YouTube; he can pretty much do a little bit of everything, is incredibly young and athletic, and will score a ton on the fast break. I've always been incredibly in favor of his chances of becoming an All-Star, and if he had a coach smart enough to give him more than 22 MPG last year I think we would all already think that. Don Nelson is an incredibly stubborn coach (he's always shown himself to be), and so it's quite likely that he's been sitting on gold with this kid.

Let me point out that Azubuike's contract expires after the coming season, with 3.36M coming off the books. Turiaf's contract has 10-11 and 11-12 (Player Option), finally expiring in two years at 4.36 M. Neither guy is that expensive but could be usable trade pieces to make salaries line up / provide cap relief for the other team. Personally, I'd rather the Knicks get Radmanovic and his 6.8M expiring contract than Turiaf (which is cheaper but runs a year longer / injury concerns), but we'll have to see what happens. Also, I'm holding out hope for Anthony Morrow, but that is more than likely asking way too much.

Anyhow, if the Knicks work it out correctly, they can trade Curry's expiring, Azubuike's expiring, and Randolph next year for Melo or CP3 without losing any of the guys we all clearly want to keep. Maybe Randolph becomes the keeper, and a guy like Gallo or Chandler becomes more expendable. In any case, we have mad trade options if this S&T goes down. By doing this, DW is basically giving us a couple huge trade assets for next season that we wouldn't otherwise have without gutting the roster.

As for Lebron, I honestly don't know what to say. I actually think it's a stupid basketball decision because they'll never be able to sign more than one good player at the mid-level per year to improve, and if one of the main guys goes down, they're stuck with an unmovable contract. The Bulls would be a way better option, even the Knicks or Nets; on any of those teams he could take clear control and challenge for a title in a more conventional (and less risky) manner. But as far as DW's proposed next move if Lebron does turn out to be a wimpy circle jerker, I couldn't be more thrilled.

In fact, my favorite way this evening could play out would be Lebron staying in Cleveland and this NY-GS trade happening. Good for the NBA, and possibly great for the Knicks.