More trade talk

Most of the below comes from elsewhere, but more trade talk has been thrown at the wall on behalf of the Knicks as the June 26 draft draws closer.

And although we firmly believe that Donnie Walsh is exploring every avenue to dump one or more of his albatross contracts and perhaps move down in the draft, take much of what's below for what it's worth:

* We've been told reliably that the Zach Randolph-to-Philadelphia scenario reported here a couple weeks back won't happen.

It would have sent Z-Bo (and the three years and $48 million he had left on his contract) plus the Knicks' No. 6 pick in the draft to Philly for Reggie Evans and the Sixers' No. 16 pick _ an addition-by- substraction deal to get rid of Randolph's money. It would have worked even though the salaries don't match because the Sixers have room under the salary cap.

Our theory on why it won't happen, via a remark by another GM about pursuing a former Jail Blazers teammate of Z-Bo's: "I wouldn't touch him with a 10-foot pole or any size pole you can find."

From elsewhere:

* Bulls guard Ben Gordon (raised in Mount Vernon, N.Y.) said while making an appearance in Virginia on Monday that he'd love to play for the Knicks.

Consider this simply another example of a player who's grown up/played within site of the New York skyline invoking what we like to call Bobby Bonilla Blather. In other words, they're from the area, they want to play in the area because they believe it would be oh so wonderful to do so in front of their family and friends.

Which worked out real well for Bobby Bo, as well as a Knicks point guard who wears No. 3 and so many others, don't you think?

Surprised that Gordon didn't invoke the "Mecca of basketball" line everyone who comes to Madison Square Garden trots out.

And for the record, to get Gordon (who seemingly duplicates much of what Jamal Crawford does, albeit perhaps better), would require a sign-and-trade that certainly would hamper Walsh's Summer of LeBron salary-cap plan in 2010.

Unless, of course, Donnie could convince the Bulls to take back Crawford. Or take Randolph

* Zach, of course, is rumored to be headed anywhere and everywhere except the WNBA (which really seems to be packing them into the Mecca, if you've been following the attendance figures), but out of Detroit came a nebulous Pistons rumor over the weekend. No specifics and the Pistons don't seem to have much a rebuilding Walsh would want (aside from Rasheed Wallace, whose contract is up after next season).

Kill us now.

But could you imagine poor Michael Curry coaching a Rasheed-Zach reunion?

* Out of Milwaukee, there's talk about the Bucks shopping Michael Redd and Mo Williams. And the Bucks did nearly snap up Zach before the last trade deadline.

Except, it's another Summer of LeBron money issue. We love Redd and his lightning-fast catch-and-shoot release, but he's due more than $50 million over the next three years (with a third-year option). We don't love Williams and his shoot-first game, and he's got a deal (with an option) that runs through 2013.

* Finally out of Arizona, more talk about the Knicks possibly lurking to move down and grab the Suns' 15th overall pick and maybe snapping up Leandro Barbosa or Boris Diaw (two Mike D'Antoni favorites) in the process.

Money-wise, both again stretch into 2010, Diaw with three years and $27 million left, Barbosa with four for more than $27 million.

Comments

[Loki1963]

NO! NO! NO! on all of the above. HELL NO!

[Loki1963]

NO! NO! NO! on all of the above. HELL NO!

[mike]

no to gordon, no to redd, no to barbosa and diaw, but Yes to anybody on the pistons over z-bo

[Loki1963]

I'm sorry to bring this up again but Artest. Maybe Sacramento would be intersted in Z-Bo. So Artest and Micki Moore for Zach. But anyway you can get rid of Z-Bo, Q, and James for expiring contracts I'm fully for.

[Room12]

Artest!

With "No-D"'Antoni Artest would create something we would othewise ack and he can run

[Gjpt]

Yes they have 2 trade barbosa nd diaw becuz they can get z-bo nd new york knicks can get barbosa or diaw nd suns 15 draft pick

[JAJA]

JAJA, UPYACHKA! UG NE PROIDET, BLYA!