Which 'big' would you trade?

When Donnie Walsh gets to Orlando later this week for the pre-draft camp that began Tuesday, he won't see as much of the players he could draft with the sixth overall pick next month as he will of those participants projected to go much lower in the June 26 extravaganza, if they do get picked at all (e.g. Patrick Ewing Jr.).

That's because the top-shelf players don't compete in the games, but merely show up for what the league calls "skills, strength and agility, and medical testing." In other words, safe stuff that won't change their draft-night stock or literally injure their chances.

Still, there's a reason Walsh will join Knicks officials already there when the camp started Tuesday.

He could end up trading down in the draft and pick lower. And in doing so, he could unload one of his big men, Eddy Curry or Zach Randolph, and the substantial coin they're still owed.

Which is the real subject here. Would you make such a trade to unload salary, but pick 15th, 20th, even lower, and which big man would you unload in such a deal _ and why?

For the record, both players own contracts that extend beyond the summer of 2010, when Walsh wants salary-cap room to troll the LeBron James/et al free agent class, although Curry has a pair of opt-out opportunities.

Randolph is due $48 million over the next three years, while Curry is owed $31.5 million over that same stretch and can opt out after next season (and forego $10.5 million) and the one after that (and give up $11.3 million).

Remember, though, that although financially, Curry seems more marketable, don't forget the heart issues that prompted the Bulls to trade him in the first place and the resultant uninsurability of his contract.

Anyhow, if given your choice, which one would you trade and how far down in the draft would you go to unload such a contract?

Or would you keep them both and trade David Lee?

Or would you keep Randolph, Curry and Lee?

***

For the record, the Knicks don't have a second-round pick this draft (pending a trade for one) and still owe Utah a first-round pick that becomes lottery unprotected in 2010. That originally went to Phoenix in the 2004 Stephon Marbury deal and the Jazz could use it before then if they want, although it's protected down to 23rd this draft, 22nd next year.

So, Isiah Thomas, who dealt two unprotected first-round picks to Chicago in the Curry deal, may see that meter click to three if the Knicks don't make the 2009-10 playoffs.

He once said he didn't figure he needed to protect the Curry picks because he didn't figure to be in the lottery _ and probably figured he'd be combing championship-parade confetti out of his hair by 2010.

Call that chutzpah, if you want. We'll stick with dumb.

Comments

[George from Scottsdale]

Would definitely attempt to trade down and look for Robin Lopez in the late 'teens/early 20's,excellent shotblocker,solid rebounder, can "run" in anticipated MD "offense". Curry would be best to trade, perhaps packaged with Crawford-one of the few K's bargaining chips.Look at Butler-OSU as FA, although he just won Portsmouth MVP and may hit the draft.

[Loki1963]

After Beasley and Rose, the rest of the draft is weak. We really don't need Mayo, Bayless, Gordon. B Lopez is kind of a stiff and I haven't seen the Italian guy play a game. If we can unload one of these fat bastard and move down in the draft I'm all for it. There are some good player down in the draft that are less risky (Rush, Roberts, the other Lopez)

I'd rather get rid of Randolph because he makes more and he killed the harmony of the team. But he is the better player of the two.

Show Eddy how to use a tread mill and maybe he could go back to what he was becoming 2 years ago.

But if Walsh can move one of these guys for expiring contracts, he gets my vote for GM of the year.

[Not Hawthorne Wingo]

ZBO needs to go though he's the better player and is more likely to be taken by someone mid season. But, his salary is substantially higher than Curry's. I think Curry will adjust better to the run and gun (no, I have NO way of backing that last statement up, call it a GUT feeling). I would trade down unless I'm CONVINCED #6 is going to net me something better than an average starter. Don't trade Lee unless you get something really good or get rid of something really bad.

[islesfan]

Absolutely trade the pick if it means you can get rid of Randolph and his albatross contract. If you can do it by just swapping picks in the first round, that's a bonus.

Only for Randolph though. Then get Curry in reasonable shape and give him the ball every time down next year to get his average up into the 20-25 pt range. He'll opt out and you'll be rid of another big salaried player who has no future here.

Oh, and Isiah traded their 2004 first round pick so it's already 3. When they have to give their 2010 pick to Utah, that will make it 4 first round picks and likely 3 lottery picks.

Isiah should be burning in hell right now, not going on trips to Europe on the Knicks dime. He really paid the price for screwing up this franchise more than anybody possibly could. Of course Dolan will keep him around longer than Walsh or D'Antonio will be here.

[mike]

I would love to trade down and get rid of zach. The only team who would be intrested in zach is philadelphia. They have enough cap room to be able to take a contract without sending a contract back (ala Jason Richardson for 8th pick last year) I think we should trade zach for the 16th pick and keep the 6th. We would be able to take Joe Alexander whos stock has rised enough if mayo is not their its not a reach. Then take augustin (probaly wont be there) or Robin Lopez.

[Stevey]

Stevey...how about you update this blog

[Stevey]

Stevey...how about you update this blog