Post by redstorm177 on Oct 20, 2007 3:19:48 GMT
Draft Lottery a "turning point"; Knicks Shift Gears
With the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, the New York Knicks select...
No, that is not a typo. After a fortunate bounce of the lottery balls this past week, the New York Knicks have earned the right to select first in the upcoming rookie draft to be held at the theatre at Madison Square Garden. For the first time since 1985 when the Knicks selected Patrick Ewing, New York possesses the top pick in the draft. But just a heads-up to the die-hards that will be present at the theatre, don't go out and buy your Greg Oden jerseys just yet.
Believe it or not, the Knicks' GM is actually considering trading away the rights to select the freshman phenom. "We are very excited to be in the situation that we are in right now, but we are certainly going to keep our options open. In the end, we will be able to look back and say, 'we made the right decision', that's our goal".
According to a high ranking Eastern Conference executive, the Knicks are simply testing the water but are unlikely to move the pick unless its for a "legit superstar".
So what does this mean for the teams' plans for this off-season? Insiders speculate that New York is going to attempt to shock the world and perform a one-year rebuild. With either Durant or Oden on board, the Knicks are expected to either re-sign Stephon Marbury or make a push for Detroit Piston's free agent guard Chauncey Billups. With a staggering amount of cap space, look for the Knicks to make a substantial offer to one of the other top free agents, most notably Vince Carter or possibly Caron Butler. If the free agent period doesn't go as planned, management might opt to cash in on some of their young talent (the Knicks possess 3 other first round picks as well as an early second) to bring back another piece to their playoff-hopeful puzzle.
"They have a lot of young players and picks, and I really don't think management is prepared to sit tight and endure another pathetic season at the Mecca. Word around the league is that they are feverishly working on putting together a playoff team for next year...they can do it if they make the right trades, but there-in lies the problem. Their GM isn't the best at winning trades...it should be interesting", cites one Western Conference GM, who requested anonymity for obvious reasons.
No one can question the Knicks GM this week as his plan is only now starting to unfold, but the New York faithful are known to have short memories. His tenure as team president will most likely be judged on what he does this offseason, and if the team fails to produce on the floor next year, expect the rave reviews to quickly turn to jeers.
With the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, the New York Knicks select...
No, that is not a typo. After a fortunate bounce of the lottery balls this past week, the New York Knicks have earned the right to select first in the upcoming rookie draft to be held at the theatre at Madison Square Garden. For the first time since 1985 when the Knicks selected Patrick Ewing, New York possesses the top pick in the draft. But just a heads-up to the die-hards that will be present at the theatre, don't go out and buy your Greg Oden jerseys just yet.
Believe it or not, the Knicks' GM is actually considering trading away the rights to select the freshman phenom. "We are very excited to be in the situation that we are in right now, but we are certainly going to keep our options open. In the end, we will be able to look back and say, 'we made the right decision', that's our goal".
According to a high ranking Eastern Conference executive, the Knicks are simply testing the water but are unlikely to move the pick unless its for a "legit superstar".
So what does this mean for the teams' plans for this off-season? Insiders speculate that New York is going to attempt to shock the world and perform a one-year rebuild. With either Durant or Oden on board, the Knicks are expected to either re-sign Stephon Marbury or make a push for Detroit Piston's free agent guard Chauncey Billups. With a staggering amount of cap space, look for the Knicks to make a substantial offer to one of the other top free agents, most notably Vince Carter or possibly Caron Butler. If the free agent period doesn't go as planned, management might opt to cash in on some of their young talent (the Knicks possess 3 other first round picks as well as an early second) to bring back another piece to their playoff-hopeful puzzle.
"They have a lot of young players and picks, and I really don't think management is prepared to sit tight and endure another pathetic season at the Mecca. Word around the league is that they are feverishly working on putting together a playoff team for next year...they can do it if they make the right trades, but there-in lies the problem. Their GM isn't the best at winning trades...it should be interesting", cites one Western Conference GM, who requested anonymity for obvious reasons.
No one can question the Knicks GM this week as his plan is only now starting to unfold, but the New York faithful are known to have short memories. His tenure as team president will most likely be judged on what he does this offseason, and if the team fails to produce on the floor next year, expect the rave reviews to quickly turn to jeers.