Official Free Agency Thread

[finestrg]

Don't think you need to buyout Thomas to add DJ White. I think White might be of better value, as he as a 12-15th guy most of his career, will play with a motor. KMart is name value, but he's more of been there done that, give me the green....one last time.

Right, you wouldn't have to currently but in my scenario you do. On my 15-man, I'd be looking to add a younger replacement for KT (DJ White - carrying DJ White AND KT would be redundant), another SG for depth (McGrady or one of those younger cats), keep Copeland or sign Shawne Williams (their choice) and pick up another young center with nice potential for insurance in Marcus Cousin (what happens if Camby breaks down? He always does. Plus, Chandler wasn't playing at 100% with the wrist problem about the last 1/3 of the season and it was a short year too). Those 3 additions plus the others make 15.

[Kidd Karma]

Right, you wouldn't have to currently but in my scenario you do. On my 15-man, I'd be looking to add a younger replacement for KT (DJ White - carrying DJ White AND KT would be redundant), another SG for depth (McGrady or one of those younger cats), keep Copeland or sign Shawne Williams (their choice) and pick up another young center with nice potential for insurance in Marcus Cousin (what happens if Camby breaks down? He always does. Plus, Chandler wasn't playing at 100% with the wrist problem about the last 1/3 of the season and it was a short year too). Those 3 additions plus the others make 15.

Ah, I see, I'm guessing they see KT as their emergency 4th center if, knock on wood, Tyson or Camby or Amare can't go. KMart would see time in an Amare center scenario. Right now I have no problem with adding DJ White as the backup 4. With Melo as an option there as well, White solidifies the depth there. I think they're overrating the experience factor a bit too much, you want your 12-15 guys to have a motor, get on the floor, push people around. KT isn't goign to get you more than 15 a night. Cousin can definitely pick lots of experience banging with Camby and Chandler in practice. It's a great opportunity to bring in young raw centers to learn from our older guys.

[finestrg]

Tommy Dee saying that we're looking to add a veteran SG/SF for training camp:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I get it -- it's what I've been saying -- how can you go into the season with huge health concerns with Ronnie Brewer AND Shump? Or just say, 'we're fine, we'll just have 90-year-old J Kidd fill in at the 2'. Huh? Say what? Come on now...Gotta come up with another true SG somewhere. I'm glad the Knicks agree and are out there looking. My thing though -- why on Earth limit the search to just NBA veterans?!?!?!? WTF is with that logic? Don't they have enough of a veteran presence on this team already? Why overdo it? With enough vet experience/leadership at C, PF, SF, PG (even JR Smith's been around for awhile now) and just about everywhere else -- go get the best SG/SF talent out there PERIOD, regardless of experience.

Here's hoping these guys are on Glen's short list:

(1) Chris Douglas-Roberts - prior NBA experience (he's got the vet presence they apparently covet above all else), yet he's still young and the man's flat out an excellent scorer. Very crafty player. Plus at 6'7", he can handle some SF duty. If CDR had any hesitation coming here it might have to do with getting some clarity on a current and future role. That might be the only thing. Otherwise, this guy's the perfect fit for us...How's this for clarity: I'd offer him the vet min and tell him that he's guaranteed to split time with JR Smith in the beginning of the season and then once Brewer's back, if he's playing well, he keeps the job. Period. His to lose. Better talent than Ronnie Brewer anyway in my opinion. Also communicate to CDR that if he plays well the entire season, we're open to a multi-year extension at fair market value. I don't see how Roberts could expect anything more than that -- he's not even in the league right now.. And I don't see how we owe Ronnie Brewer anything at this point. The guy's a fringe NBA basketball player who got hurt. Hasn't even played in one game yet for the Knicks.. Sorry Ronnie, but you blew out your knee -- what do you want the Knicks to do?? Unfortunate for Brew but the Knicks need to cover themselves with more SG depth here. If I'm Glen, CDR's agent would've been one of my first calls.




(2) Tracy McGrady - vet presence, played well for ATL last year. Just worked out for us. I'd love a younger guy, but if they went this route, I'd be OK with it. This clip convinced me he could still help.


(3) Scotty Hopson - probably signed on in Europe somewhere, but if he's available, I'd pounce. So talented -- it'd be like adding a 1st round pick imho. More than enough talent to be playing in the NBA. 6'7" (and very athletic), so he can swing between the 2 & 3 with no problem.


(4) Jamelle Horne - similar to Hopson across the board. Might not be available (Europe?), 6'7", athletic, enough talent to play in the NBA for sure, plays both ends of the court, effective from 3, etc. He'd be a fine addition here. Who the hell cares that these younger guys don't have prior NBA experience? SO friggin' what...It'd be like adding a draft pick. Do draft picks have NBA experience prior to getting their names called by the commish? Ahh, no, yet a great percentage join their teams and have some sort of an impact eventually, some right away. I could definitely see that with Horne on the Knicks.




(5) Austin Freeman - Nice 4-yr career at G-Town. Again, just like these others, he's got more than enough talent to play NBA ball, especially offensively where he shows very good scoring instincts. Crafty and creative off the dribble...This cat only goes about 6'4" though -- a tad small for a 2 but not too small. Not the athlete Hopson & Horne are, but I wouldn't call him unathletic..Solid outside touch -- 38% from 3 over 4 years at G-Town. Outside shooting took a little dip last year in Italy but it was probably a product of getting adjusted to a foreign country, new surroundings, a whole new lifestyle, a new league, a new team, a new coach and how he does things, etc.. Make no mistake, this guy can shoot the ball..Still put up 20 a game in Italy last year. I read he's got type-1 diabetes and yet he's still out there doing his thing. Good for him man. I see a little Marshon Brooks/Marcus Thornton in this guy... Like Ray Felton, weight has always been a little bit of an issue with him, yet he's able to play well even at 230-235 lbs. Like a youtube poster commented on, he looks to be in great shape in this vid, lighting up some team for 38 last season:

[CoolClyde]

One week to go before start of camps, free-agent list still includes:

Kenyon Martin
Derek Fisher
Chris Andersen
Mickael Pietrus
Leandro Barbosa
Josh Howard
Anthony Tolliver
Louis Amundson
Mehmet Okur
Maurice Evans
Yi Jianlian
Ryan Gomes
Tracy McGrady
Michael Redd
Hassan Whiteside
Ben Wallace
Jonny Flynn

[Lercher]

What can we actually offer? Vet-mins? BEA?

[CA7]

One week to go before start of camps, free-agent list still includes:

Kenyon Martin
Derek Fisher
Chris Andersen
Mickael Pietrus
Leandro Barbosa
Josh Howard
Anthony Tolliver
Louis Amundson
Mehmet Okur
Maurice Evans
Yi Jianlian
Ryan Gomes
Tracy McGrady
Michael Redd
Hassan Whiteside
Ben Wallace
Jonny Flynn

give me the oldest, most washed up, AARP eligible player

[KingStarbury3]

One week to go before start of camps, free-agent list still includes:

Kenyon Martin
Derek Fisher
Chris Andersen
Mickael Pietrus
Leandro Barbosa
Josh Howard
Anthony Tolliver
Louis Amundson
Mehmet Okur
Maurice Evans
Yi Jianlian
Ryan Gomes
Tracy McGrady
Michael Redd
Hassan Whiteside
Ben Wallace
Jonny Flynn

Make it happen Glen Grundlebald

[bluechox2]

we just signed Mychal Thompson to training camp

[Kidd Karma]

Hot Rumor, Amundson to Minny.

[NYk_Reloaded718]

Hot Rumor, Amundson to Minny.

Lou Amundson has reached agreement with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a one-year guaranteed deal for the league minimum.

Amundson spent the 11-12 season with the Pacers.

Via Chris Tomasson/Fox Sports (via Twitter)
__________

Amundson - Taken

K-Mart- available
Birdman- available
Rasheed- Available

[Kidd Karma]

Remembered some Malcolm Thomas love in this thread.

He's scheduled to work out for the Heat this week.

[New New York]

So with Lou Almaldson (however its spelled) signing for league min on a team with Cap room it may serve as a reality check for Kenyon Martin's camp?

The only way he gets 3 million per is to play for a league min this year and making the most of it.

I suppose Birdman's open case is keeping him from being signed because he has gotten no sort of consideration beyond a Heat workout.


I know some of you say these two are a lost cause...but what other options do either of them have?

It would seem as if one of them is a Knick opening night.

[finestrg]

DJ White's on his way to China on a 1-yr deal. Heard about this the other day, I guess now it's official...Would be eligible for an NBA post-season roster when his season in China ends in March. Interesting. We should keep this guy in mind come March if any of these older bigs break down.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I also like what Charlotte did, bringing in DaJuan Summers & Jeff Adrien. I really like both guys. Have said so many times..I hope they stick.

Houston too -- brought in 2 young 6'3" guards for training camp -- Demetri McCamey (Illinois) & Kyle Fogg (Arizona). Nice moves. McCamey's was a good floor general/assist man at Illinois who can really shoot; Fogg was more of a 2 but effective overall for the Wildcats in their backcourt. I believe both guys played all 4 years before going undrafted 2 yrs ago..Daryl Morey seems like a real pain in the ass to deal with when making a trade but he deserves some credit -- the man has an eye for young talent and is willing to go the extra mile for his team. As a Knick fan, you hate this guy for his bull**** (took Donnie to the cleaners with the Jeffries for McGrady deal and he stole Lin away by upping his offer), but he's the type of guy you'd love to have as your own GM. Houston fans don't give this guy enough credit..I think he does a great job.

[NYk_Reloaded718]

Marquis Daniels has agreed on a one-year veteran's minimum deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Daniels most recently was a member of the Celtics.

Daniels' contract with the Bucks is guaranteed.

Via Sam Amick/Sports Illustrated (via Twitter)

[NYk_Reloaded718]

Anthony Tolliver has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks.

Tolliver spent the past two seasons with the Timberwolves.

Via Chris Tomasson/Fox Sports (via Twitter)