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Donnie Walsh made a couple of very nice trades today.Chris Wilcox and Larry Hughes were acquired for Malik Rose, Tim Thomas, Jerome James and Anthony Roberson. Two additional roster spots were opened up.

The Shaq trade I had expected never materialized. marbury must now buy his way out of New York if he wants to play at all this year. A third roster spot will open soon.

While Knicks fans seem to have a mixed reaction to the trades the most irksome rhetoric is the renewed Isiah bashing that even found iys way into a Howard Beck article on the Times.Quite frankly, the acquisition of Larry Hughes is not as good a transaction as many of Isiah's moves that landed superior talent under the severe constraints the Isiah faced.

But let's move on to a little trade analysis.

I am very surprised and pleased that Walsh was able to acquire Chris Wilcox. I did not think it was possible. Longtime Knicks fans know I was an early and loud advocate for drafting Wilcox years ago when Layden drafted Nene instead and proceeded to trade that pick for a brittle McDyess.

Today's trade corrects that error. I have heard plenty of criticism that Wilcox has not lived up to his potential but I think this is largely due to playing on backwater teams. Losing makes no one look good and it messes with the psyche.

I'm betting that Wilcox becomes a cornerstone player for the Knicks. If he plays well, can accept a one year contract going into 2010 then the Knicks can resign him after they play the FA market and hold onto him to supplement whoever they acquire.

Having Wilcox, Lee, Chandler, Gallo, and Jeffries all available on the front court changes the game for D'Antoni. He now has some muscle inside to supplement Lee who has been carrying the lion'sshare of responsibility there.

I hate to sound this old but this reminds me of the late sixties Knicks teams that were ramping up. I hope Wilcox becomes a keeper.

Acquiring Larry Hughes on the other hand is an interesting trade. Obviously, Walsh was happy to move some contracts and get roster space. But what to do with Hughes? Here's a guy whose has blown multiple chances to shine.

No one really cares if Hughes succeeds or fails because most fans expect nothing. Here's where character counts. Is Hughes smart enough to realize that playing well in NY can salvage his career? Let's hope so.

Chris Wilcox alone should assure the Knicks of being playoff contenders. If Hughes catches fire, the season will get real interesting. The Knicks haven't had this much firepower in years.

Word has it that Mikki Moore has been released by Sacto. Knicks could use a pine brother.