I get what Walsh is thinking. Sure, we can get Carmelo and be good. Or we can wait, sign Carmelo as a free agent, and then use our trade assets to go get Deron or Paul (both of whom have expressed their desire to come to NY).
The route Walsh wants to take makes the Knicks a lock to be title-worthy for the 2012-2015 years... And would be the only team who could prevent MIA from dominating.
I understand what KNICK fans are thinking as well. I mean, we've waited this long... Why can't Anthony just play this out. Doesn't he want to win? Pushing for this to happen now means he wants his money more than a title. And he sure will be held responsible if the Knicks fail to win.
So. I don't think this has much to do with keeping Gallo or Fields. I think Walsh wants to keep one of these players, along with Mozgov. THEN, if we draft correctly... We have a first and 2 second rounders? THEN, we should have 3 trade assets... With Deron and Paul in the driver's seat next year... We will be in a position to swing another deal next Feb.
Make no mistake, that is the idea: Amar'e, Carmelo and Deron/Paul.
I wont flip out if we end of overpaying for Carmelo. As long as we keep Fields or Gallo, I can live with it. HOWEVER, I will hold Anthony responsible after that. Weight will be on his shoulders to deliver! I better not hear him gripe about how we don't have enough to compete for a title (this year and next). He better elevate his game. Like what Amar'e did.
The fact is the KNicks have to get another star, and if T-Mozgov stands in the way... just do it.
We probably wouldn't be keeping Chandler anyway. So, in essence, this deal will only cost us Fields of Gallo. Then we swap Billups for Felton. I can live with that.