On Guard

Barbara Barker writes in Newsweek about Marbury:

I predict this to be the summer of the jerk-cleansing in New York, and that the Knicks will be the next team to tidy up their house by finding a way to make sure that Marbury is not on the roster come training camp.

Contrary to popular belief that stylized-looking No. 3 that Marbury recently had tattooed on the side of his head did not refer to his assist per game average. But it might refer to the maximum number of months he now has left as a Knick as the team continues to explore every possible avenue that could lead Marbury out of town before the start of the season.

The most likely avenue remains a buyout, because a trade would mean taking on equal salary, which makes no sense for the Knicks. It also makes no sense for whatever teams might be interested in Marbury because it would be a much better move for them just to wait until he's cut and then sign him with a mid-level exception or the veteran's minimum.

Of course this will cost some money, but the Knicks have spent money on much more foolish things before.

The Courant's Mike Anthony provides more insight into the Marcus Williams trade than any other sports outlet in the country.

Marcus Williams was traded from the Nets to the Warriors Tuesday, a move that should give the former UConn point guard a chance to rejuvenate his career.

It was becoming clear that Williams, selected by the Nets with the 22nd pick after his junior season in 2006, would have trouble earning minutes next season in New Jersey. The Nets acquired Keyon Dooling Monday from Orlando, and Williams would have had to fight just to keep his backup job behind Devin Harris.

Williams, 22, will likely be a backup in Golden State, too. The Warriors — reeling from the loss of Baron Davis, who signed with the Clippers — have committed to playing Monta Ellis at point guard next season. But the backcourt situation is not as crowded and the Warriors, who led the NBA in scoring last season, play an up-tempo style under Don Nelson that suits Williams' game.

In return, the Nets received a protected draft pick. According to The Associated Press, the pick is protected if it's in the top 14 in 2011, top 11 in 2012 or top 10 in 2013. If the Nets haven't gotten a pick by then, they will receive Golden State's second-round picks in 2013 and 2015.

Williams was basically traded for equal value, in other words, another mid-grade draft pick.

Finally, Hahn at Newsday speculates that Chauncey Billups is in play as a trading chip and that makes sense. Detroit hasn't won anything recently and is an aging, expensive squad. With the blossoming of Rodney Stuckey, Billups will be given away as a salary dump as soon as the season demonstrates anything less than a winner.

There are also rumblings of Artest coming back to Detroit which puts Prince's status in jeopardy as well. One cannot help but think that fiscal reality will soon dawn in Detroit and we'll see a significant domino effect of veteran trades taking place there soon.

They have little of value to the Knicks these days though even though Hahn's intuition may be correct. Billups to NY is an unlikely destination in all respects except the fact that NY can afford him and, like Duhon, he's the best Donnie can get for what we're offering.

And the idea of Artest returning to Detroit sounds like a desperate agent's attempt to move Artest somewhere, anywhere. Let's see new coach - check. Bring Artest back - check. Recipe for disaster - guaranteed.