1.) We don't need an All-Star caliber Center. We just need a serviceable bigman that can get us some boards, some blocks, some easy points, and who can clog the paint for us.
Realistic/Available Candidates = Nesterovic, Kwame, J. James
Unrealistic/Unavailable = Ilgauskus, Magloire, Curry, Chandler
2.) We need to get rid of atleast 1-2 of our PF's. I dont see us getting rid of Sweets b/c he hasnt had enuff time yet to expand his game. Kurt will be the first to go, and he'll most likley be dealt for one of the centers listed above (realistic/available ones). Rose won't be traded simply b/c of his contract, and that means either JYD or Taylor might have to go.
3.) Crawford needs to become our legit 6th man, no more starting for him. The reason Zeke brought him in (and overpayed) is to provide a big energy boost off the bench. Oh...and Houston won't be starting in his place.
4.) Don't trade Timmy until the Trading Deadline, if at all. If we keep him until next year, he can be had for the MLE at most. That's a smart and economic decision. If Zeke wants to deal Penny, that's fine /w/ me, but personally I'd rather just let his contract expire, b/c there are only so many trades you can make in one year, and we shouldn't push to get rid of someone just for the hell of it. Every move we make from now on has to be pushing us toward being a better team.
5.) Well...if Crawford doesn't start, and either does H2O, where does that leave us? I'll tell you where. Nowhere and somewhere. THE ONLY WAY WE CAN WIN NEXT YEAR IS IF WE BRING IN ANOTHER ALL-STAR CALIBER PLAYER THAT CAN PLAY ALONGSIDE STEPH. This is urgent, seriously. We all know how Steph refused to play Robin /w/ KG...well, if he doesnt learn to co-exist /w/ a tag-team partner then his ass is good as gone. He doesn't even have a choice anymore, but I think at this point he is actually willing to do w/e it takes to win. You can see the desperation in his eyes.
So who do we bring in? Well, it'll either be a 2 or 3 (that's Sg or Sf for you) and it'll be someone that can be effective without the ball, who can play D, and who can hit the 3 (to spread the defense). The perfect choice would be Shawn Marion, but then I woke up and realized he's not going anywhere. Artest isn't coming to NY either. Trust me, after seeing Miller go last night, you KNOW they're depending on Artest to bring them back to the playoffs next year.
What about Odom, Ray Allen, Redd, Cuttino, ... No, No, No. Even if they WERE available, which I doubt, these are guys that are only effective WITH the ball. If we keep Steph, which we will (for better or worse), then we need an All-Star caliber player than can work w/o the ball - like Marion. Here are some candidates I think are realistic, possibly available, and who could play Robin to Marbury's Batman:
A.) Corey Maggette : He plays hard on both ends, plays physical (which we need badly), can rebound, get a steal or two, and best of all, can spot Marbury point for point if he needed to. Granted, his 3-point % was pretty bad this year, but he can still hit it. And /w/ Marbury's penetration, it would go up. Best of all, he wont cost us all that much.
B.) Larry Hughes : Led the league in steals this year. Can shoot, play D, and play some point as well. He'll be looking for a big pay-day this summer, and if for some reason Washington doesn't match, we could always offer them a nice package b/c Hughes IS unrestricted (don't forget that), so if he get's a bigger offer from say Cleveland, then, if he's willing to play in NY, the Wizards could atleast part /w/ him and get something of value in return.
C.) Paul Pierce : I know, you think I'm crazy. Well, believe it or not, PP does alot more than just score. And yes, there's a small chance he'll be available this summer - Never believe a word that Danny Ainge says though (Walker trades). Pierce rebounds, passes, spreads the D, can play some D...basically he's a triple-double threat every time he steps on the court. While he does like to get Iso and work one-on-one, I still think he could work /w/ Steph b/c it seems like he's desperate to get out of Boston...just look at the way he's been playing lately. He commands alotta attention, but he's not a selfish player...If we have a chance at nabbing him, we'll probly have to take LaFrentz or Blount as well (cap space for the C's).
D.) Wally Sczerbiak : Well, Wally would be a last alternative. I like the fact that he's a constant threat from beyond the arc, and that he plays hard in spite of having "White Man's Disease". Dont forget though, he does spread the defense, plays balls out usually, and is still relatively young even though his knee injury has slowed him down as of recent. Best of all, even though he's not as good as Maggette, Hughes, or Pierce, he'll be the easiest to trade for. A last alternative, but still a good one.
6.) Resign Herb Williams. You HAVE to give this guy an entire year to prove himself. Same goes /w/ Crawford and Sweets. And hey, you never know, maybe Pat will join him as an Assistant.
7.) Draft Picks : (if we keep our draft position as it is)
8: Raymond Felton, Gerald Green, or Danny Granger (BPA)
30: Morris, Bynum, or Turiaf (take a chance on a young C)
54: Julius Hodge or Overseas Project (BPA OR take a chance - depends)
Personally, I'd like to trade up using our 30th pick and trade bait, or just buy Memphis's 19th pick and try to draft Channing Frye or Johan Petro.
Well, thats all folks. Konichiwa Bitchez...