How does a 30 year old unathletic PF who plays no defense and is a weak rebounder help Philly in an area of CAP SPACE? Amare has one of the worst contracts in the NBA, he's about to become the next Rashard Lewis.
Philly has an identity and are a playoff team...I think they're happy with their core players, the whole thing about having no cap space doesn't bother team, that only matters to non playoff teams. Philly right is 4th in the East, doesn't make sense to trade their best player for Amare.
#1. I'm basing this off of their inquires about Amar'e as recently as January of this year.
#2. They are a "playoff" team, that has been fading since the absence of Spencer Hawes.
#3. They don't really have a way to add depth to their team if they're up against the cap, and are heavy in the back court and wings.
#4. Elton Brand is old as shit, looks old as shit, and isn't giving them 20 & 10, but making $17M.
#5. If they acquire a PF in a trade, they can amnesty Brand... is that PF Amare? I wouldn't make that move....but once more
they're the ones who asked the Knicks about his availability, whether that's just "due diligence" or a sign of real interest....they asked, so let's answer.
#6. I don't doubt that some front offices get a hard on for being "a playoff team" with no hopes of improving by either free agency or draft, but the smarter ones ask "how can we be even better?" Whether or not ownership open up the wallet to do so is the question. But one more time: Philly asked the Knicks, so what's the downside of selling them on the idea?
#7. Iggy is their best player sitting at 12, 6, and 5, with great defense and tremendous leadership. I'm willing to bet anything that Doug Collins, Rod Thorn, and team ownership hopes that their 2nd over all pick last year, will grow into that role since he's pulling $4.9M, $5.2M, $6.6M, and a qualifying year of $8.7M....while they also pay Iggy, $13M, $14M, and $15M at the same time.
I'm not debating whether it would be a mistake on their part to trade dude, I'm just saying based on their trying to move him in the past, and then asking around about PFs...I don't see why A) they wouldn't eventually pull the trigger on a deal; or B) why the Knicks FO can't look into it.
It's possible they even move Turner (which makes no sense, because he's young, cheap talent) but from a FO standpoint, owning 2 SGs a combined $18M, then $19M, then $21M while you have no front court depth, an aging PF with multiple years left, and an amnesty clause...and do nothing about it....are you really trying to win?