Offseason is here

One down, and a long summer to go for the NY Knicks. They have two restricted free agents that GM's wanted to have on their teams, The NBA teams are feeling the economic crush like the rest of the globe, and I'm inclined to think that checks won't be written willy nilly, w/o consideration for a franchise's direction. Ronny Turiaf was a restricted FA last year, and went to Golden-State for 3yrs 12mill with a player option for the 4th. Lee averages 16PP and 11rebounds while playing 35 mins. Turiaf is a 6PP and 4Reb while playing 21mins. What i think the Knicks do is, figure out how much David Lee brings to a winning formula and how much of his production is Mike D'antoni's creation via the "drag sets" he runs. Lee is a hard worker, and I've watched his game take real strides in production, but at what cost. Less than 2 mill pers season, makes him underpaid, but I don't think he can live up to the big money contract either. Josh Smith signed a contract last year 5year 58 million after, the Grizzlies originally offered that Atlanta matched. His line stands at 15pp 7reb and 1 block in 35 mins, you can argue that Lee is more productive than Smith. But do we as Knicks fan want to see Lee get that much money. Josh Smith is the 2nd leading go to guy, unless you need a Bibby three, and even that Joe Johnson shooting .So, i think what makes David expendable is a player like Hasheem Thabbet from Uconn, or Earl Clark. Why not Tyler Hansboro  They'll be able to generate the same activity Lee does just by getting into the running system. Being in the right condition can lead to the offensive boards too. Something the TrailBlazers do well. Speaking of the Trailblazers, Lamarcus Aldridge will be a restricted free-agent in 2010, his qualifying offer is at 7.4. I'd rather wait and try to sell him on NY for 10mill or so, leaving the rest for the other big name. Aldridge was a draft rights pick of the Knicks, lost the pick in their debacled Eddy Curry deal.  Al Horford scores 11points with 9boards, and a block shot in 33mins and he's paid 4million. So, i would say that the Knicks have to keep David Lee under 6million dollars, and if they can do that they'll be in good shape financially. I think Mr. Donnie Walsh got it right by not negotiating prior to the season. The market is gonna dictate the price, not so much the skill. Emeka Okafor, is certainly going to be in David Lee's agents bag of examples, he signed a a 6year 75million deal last summer, after averaging 13pp 10reb and 1.7blks, and the comparision between the two players will be made, rightly so. But he's the low post presence for the team, and thats because he blocks shots. Kwame Brown took a 2year 8mill dollar deal with Detroit last season, he averages 4pp and 4rebs over 16mins. David has to be worth more than that, and it can be argued double what he signed for.

So, if the Knicks are serious about cutting weight, i think they have to sign and trade Lee, bring back players/picks that keep them in line with what they want to do. So, it depends on the bounce of the lottery with Lee, can they get a cheap replacement on the boards, because scoring in the middle is not the biggest concern to D'antoni, plus, I think Harrington and Curry can manange. That is until Curry gets moved in December. Lee is a great guy, and everyone loves his ability to get the ball, but he's not a center, and for a 4, he'd certainly have to take on people like Rashad Lewis, Aldridge, Shawn Marion, Dirk, so that difficult sell. He's a great player for a winning organization that needs a 6th man to provide rebounds and around the bucket points.

With Nate i think it's more complicated. Nate is a 2guard who like to put on a show, but if Barrea of Dallas can be an effective 1 guard, why cant Nate?  I wish he would take a page out of Jameer Nelson's book. They are about the same size but work differently on the court. Jameer Nelson signed in 2007 through 2013, nothing over 8mill per season. So, it hard for Nate to want more than that.  Jameer is a 16pp and 5dimes per night, shooting at 50%FG, 45%3's and 88% FT, thats a great line, and made the All-Star team, granted Dwight Howard helped him make the team. Nate gives u 17pp 4dimes and shoots 42%FG, 32%3's and 80%FT, so numbers like that coming off the bench are good, and i think that he is also worth that 5.5million per year never going above 7million. I just worry that he like himself too much, and that prevent sound basketball play, but hes tough. Mo Willams of the Cavs make 8.5 million, and he averages 17.8 and 4dimes. nd he plays 35 mins, while Nate is at 29mins. I think Nate is the one they try and keep, they have marketing tools invested in him, he's a crowd pleasure on and off the court, with his "Shake and Bake", "Kryptonate". So, i think the Knicks can win with Nate's versatile scoring, and look for a cheapper big body in the draft, and bring in a 2010 big body he can practice with after he finishes his 2nd summer league season. I think Nate should be happpy if he makes more money that Louis WIlliams from the Sixers. he signed a 5year 25 million dollar deal last summer. I think Nate is below Jason Terry, right behind Mo Williams and maybe slighly ahead of Louis Willams, which makes him more affordable than David Lee. Both get signed and one gets moved. I think David Lee, but with that said, Donnie Walsh might do the opposite or none. He pulled the trade-off for Al Harrington which i wanted, and he got rid of Zach which i could appreciate. I wanted Chris Duhon, and advocated for that alot. I think we all see the same thing. Just hope that ball drops 4 or better in the lottery. Jus my thinking.