Ok first of all, it's more than 15 Million. It's closer to 20. But that's not the point. It opens up the roster, gets us FAR closer to the cap once you account for Timmy and Penny's expiring contracts (30 Million), and will land us a young talent and picks.
Trading Marbury brings us to less than 60 Million by 2006. By 2006-07, we'd be WAYYYYY under the cap. Houston and Taylor would land us more than 30 Million straight off the cap. that would really give us some breathing room to make a major attempt at lebron.
but let's say we keep Marbury. We won't have enough cap space to even make an attempt after lebron, b/c you have to account for the MLE being used once, if not twice, in the next 2-3 years.
that's what worries me. Isiah is not the greatest business man. I hope he's looking into the near future as well. Trading Marbury will open up the roster and allow us to get younger, all the while setting us up perfectly for 2006-07...
and have you ever thought about this: getting under the cap sooner is better for the FANS. ticket prices go down, giving us everyday fans the opportunity to go to MSG and kick back and watch our budding stars play.