Walsh has said that a primary goal is to get cap space by 2010. The lack of cap space has been a serious problem. There is no reason to believe that Walsh does not mean what he says. So lets forget about deals that do not produce the goal.
Marbury has a $20M plus expiring contract. It has no value to another team unless that team can rid itself of its unwanted contracts in a roughly equivalent amount. Taking on two years of contracts -- 2008 and 2009 -- will not alter an ability to have cap space in 2010. Dolan, for all his faults, has never been shy about spending money. Although I think Marbury is a boorish prima donna, he still has the most talent on the Knicks and is likely to have a good "contract" season no matter where he may be. Perhaps by the trading deadline the Knicks could trade his contract for a couple of bad contracts extending through 2009 and a draft pick and/or some young player with potential. it would be expensive but the draft pick or young player could help in the future and the new bad contracts would not have an effect on 2010 cap space. There could be some similar play with Malik's expiring $7M plus contract.
The biggest problem is Z. Randolph's contract. He has $17M plus due in 2010. Suppose Chicago takes Rose instead of Beasley, which is not impossible. if it does, it becomes flush with guards and remains weak in front court power. Would Chicago consider Z. Randolph and Lee for Hughes and Tyrus Thomas?
Hughes has two years running on his contract at about $13M a year, but he will be off the books in 2010. Thomas has a $4M plus contract in 2010, but that is a lot less than Randolph's $17M plus contract. Thomas has been a disappointment in Chicago, but he is an athlete.
It is not that I do not like Lee. It is just that he has the most trade value.
There has been speculation that Miami might trade the 2 pick if it is not Rose. I find that unlikely. But would Miami take Lee and perhaps Curry and the 6 pick for the 2 pick -- Beasley? Miami has only one bad contract that does not extend beyond 2010 -- Blount's -- but his contract has two years at $7M plus each year. Miami does not appear to have cap space, so I am not sure Curry and his $10M plus contract would fit the cap restrictions.
Chad Ford suggests that a top five pick team may have a promise with D. Jordan to take him with its pick. If so, this increases the chances of Mayo or Bayless dropping to the 6th spot. In any event, I would not be concerned if Walsh/D'Antoni take Gallinari at the 6th spot if Mayo and Bayless are not available. They know a lot more than I do, and I am not prepared to call anyone who manages to earn several million dollars a year an "idiot" at least until after he makes decisions that prove to be idiotic.