It's Monday and a little more than 72 hours until the draft _ and there's more chatter surrounding your Knickerbockers.
Today's, courtesy of ESPN.com (which, in case you missed it, didn't get it right when it reported Carmelo Anthony and his agent planned to talk to the Nuggets about a possible trade out of Denver) comes this possible scenario:
David Lee and Malik Rose to Memphis for the Grizzlies' 5th overall pick plus the two years and $13 million remaining on Brian Cardinal's contract.
No confirmation or denial from either side on it at this point.
Which would mean the Knicks would have the No. 5 and 6 picks to spend, deal, whatever. But no D-Lee. Plus two years worth of a guy even the Griz don't want.
Feel free to chime in with your thoughts on that and the following theories as to how Thursday will play out for The Don and Co. if they simply spend the No. 6 pick:
We continue to hear two things:
1. They've fallen back in love with Danilo Gallinari and are going to grab him, no matter who else is available.
2. They hope to end up with one from among a trio of guards: O.J. Mayo, Jerryd Bayless, Russell Westbrook, in that order. Mayo will likely be gone by No. 6, Bayless looked to be a lock for Seattle at No. 4, but now there's talk the Sonics may move up to grab Mayo or just pick Westbrook.
A corollary to this second theory is that The Don will trade down and draft Texas point guard D.J. Augustine.
It's all quite fluid and might not be determined until teams draft and trade above them. And if they somehow make the Lee deal, they could conceivably do both things, Gallinari and a guard.
But as one general manager said the other day, much of this is just the standard pre-draft talk.
Except, two years ago, that talk ended up with five of the top eight players drafted getting traded on draft night.
So strap on your seatbelt. And pass along your thoughts.
***
Gotten a note or two from a couple of folks about the Knicks Fan Forum and just wanted to remind participants (or anyone else who wants to join) that it's the participants who drive the subject matter. If you want to talk about trades, draft picks, etc., post your thoughts, talk among yourselves.
We who write this won't be driving the car at all.
NO NOT D LEE!!!!
Posted by: Lamar | June 23, 2008 at 03:04 PM
ditto!
Posted by: Sal from LI | June 23, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Can we substitue Balkman or Jefferies in that deal. Or even better how about Q, I hate Q.
Posted by: Loki1963 | June 23, 2008 at 04:07 PM
The Don needs to change the culture of The K's and that starts with a "core".Can't see anyone in this draft outrebounding DLee,who's hardworking and constantly improving,and from a $$$'s standpoint it doesn't hurt that he's white-he stays!!The talk of a point guard need is silly!!The K's could score last year,and MD's offensive schemes will improve that,they didn't playD!Trade down and add an'09 selection + Robin Lopez for interior D+ rebounding,he's being noted as "underrated" by NBA GM's, send Chandler and Collins to the Vegas league. The core is Lee, Chandler and Lopez and the starters those 3 + Zach and Collins.Trade Crawford, one of the few bargaining chips + Eddy and either trade or buy-out Steph.
Posted by: George from Scottsdale | June 23, 2008 at 04:14 PM
David Lee is presently the only Knick worth watching. If this trade is accurate, it would have to be just the first step in a much larger plan. If this isn't part of a package and for instance, it only gets us like a Westbrook and Gallinari pthat would be a shame and drive the few of us remaining Knick fans off the cliff.
Posted by: Pete | June 23, 2008 at 04:44 PM
i love you lee but this is too good to pass up
Posted by: mik | June 23, 2008 at 05:49 PM
The sad truth is that Lee is our only real asset. No trade will be made without him, but a long term contract should be included in the deal so we can shed some dough.
Posted by: Pete | June 23, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Let the housecleaning begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Turnover the whole team for godsakes. We have a real basketball exec. who knows what he's doing. We'll be relevant in 2-3 years.
Posted by: Alan | June 23, 2008 at 09:21 PM
ARE YOU SERIOUS ? DAVID LEE
HE'S ONE OF THE KEY PLAYERS IN THE MIKE D NEW RUN AND GUN SYSTEM.I CAN SEE ANOTHER MESS ABOUT .COMING FROM A TRUE KNICK FAN.I HOPE THEY REALLY THINK THIS THROUGH HOW ABOUT STEPHON,JEFFERIES,OR CURRY,ROBINSON-Q RICH COLLINS ANY EXCEPT LEE.HE WILL EXCELL IN THAT SYSTEM HE REMINDS ME OF A RODMAN,OAKLEY WITH A SCORING UPSIDE.
Posted by: ANTHONY | June 24, 2008 at 01:07 AM