As a pragmatist, I see a sharp drop off in talent among FAs after the top 5 or so. Of the available Point Guards, none are more that low-end starters or second-stringers on good teams [Lowry, Foye, Ridnour, Blake, or Sergio Rodriguez].
None of them project out as game changers here. While anything is better than Duhon, marginally better is not a solution.
And I've lost faith in the cap space solution primarily because while it ensures a snow ball's chance in hell of signing LeBron, it delivers us to the doorstep of long-term mediocrity yet again with many casting an eye on who will be available in the 2011 NBA draft.
I find that prospect unacceptable.
The following recommendations come from the Occam's razor observation that whether or not Lebron comes we're really building around David Lee, for better or worse.
If I were GM, I'd be pursuing the following trade lines [some mutually exclusive of others:
Boston is reeling. They have multiple needs that the Knicks can fill and no cap space in sight. They've been losing and are realistic enough to know they cannot beat Orlando, Cleveland, or the Lake show.
Al Harrington, JJ, and N8 give he Celtics much of what they're lacking. It also give those three a nice opportunity to compete for a ring. In exchange the Knicks get Ray Allen [an expiring], Marquis Daniels [rent-a-PG], and Boston's 2010 #1 [a late-first rounder].
There are numerous good things that are by-products of such an exchange for both teams.
Jose Calderon and Sonny Weems for Mobley and Toney Douglas. This trade lands a capable PG and a nice SG prospect. The trade saves Toronto money and lands them a very capable and inexpensive PG backup in Toney.
Eddy Curry and Toney Douglas for Samuel Dalembert
Acie Law and Nazr Mohammed for Mobley. Charlotte needs to clear salary for purchase.
The need for a decent PG cannot wait.
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