This is all over the news. The Knicks have made 2 trades today:
To the Warriors:
Jamal Crawford
To the Clippers:
Zach Randolph
Mardy Collins
To the Knicks:
Tim Thomas
Al Harrington
Cuttino Mobley
You gotta give huge props to Walsh, thinking long term. All 3 players we've acquired have their contracts ending in 2010, when LBJ, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki all become free agents (assuming their teams do not re-sign them).
What's really sad is to see Crawford go, but trading Randolph is a huge deal, seeing that so few teams wanted him.
My favorite pick here is Mobley, who gives us some defense and discipline. It's understood that Harrington is a Walsh favorite, and fits very well in D'Antoni's run n' gun offense.
In a matter of 24 hours, Knick GM and President Donnie Walsh traded the Knicks top two scorers. First, Jamal Crawford was dealt to the Warriors for Al Harrington. Now, Zach Randolph was dealt with guard Mardy Collins to the Clippers for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.
This is Thomas's second stint with the Knicks. He spent part of the 2003-04 season with the Knicks after being traded from the Bucks for Keith Van Horn. With the Knicks that season, Thomas averaged a career-high 15.8 points per game in 24 games. Thomas spent the entire 2004-'05 season with New York, averaging 12 points a game in 71 contests. Through 10 games this season, he's averaging 9.5 points per game. As a Clipper, Thomas never really found the shooting stroke that carried him in his time with the Knicks and later on, the Suns.
Cuttino Mobley coming to New York answers the question to the earlier trade of dealing Jamal Crawford to Golden State. Crawford's departure left a huge void at shooting guard, where he's been the most consistent Knick over the past two seasons. While that might not be saying much, Crawford's scoring ability fit well in Mike D'Antoni's uptempo system. It fits even better in Don Nelson's system with the team in need of a playmaker on the perimeter to take some heat off of Stephen Jackson.
While Mobley might not be the long-term answer for the Knicks, he's still a serviceable option. Cat was averaging 13.7 points per game through the first 10 for the Clippers. His departure from the Clippers opens up more minutes for Clippers rookie, Eric Gordon.
The Clippers addition of Zach Randolph gives them the offensive presence at power forward that they lacked since Elton Brand opted out. Ironically, the Clippers are in Philadelphia to face the Sixers tonight. Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy claims he still has the text messages on his phone from Elton saying that he was planning to return. Now, with the addition of Randolph, the Clippers can move on from the loss of Brand.
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According to the
New York Post, a trade reuniting Al Harrington with Donnie Walsh in New York is imminent and will be completed at a conference call today.
Harrington has been asking for a trade from the Golden St. Warriors since June, and it looks like the Warriors kept their word about trying to find a way to trade him. Golden State will reportedly receive Malik Rose in return.
Rose has basically been eating up cap space and keeping a spot on the bench warm since he was originally traded to the Knicks for Nazr Mohammed in the 2004-05 season.
Harrington has been averaging 12 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, but has only played in 5 games for the Warriors. For the Knicks, Harrington gives them yet another big to go along with their current stockpile of Zach Randolph, David Lee, Eddy Curry, Jared Jeffries and Jerome James. As long as the trade doesn't involve any big name players, I have to say this is a win-win for the Knicks.
For the Warriors, they rid themselves of a disgruntled player and receive an expiring contract in return. Rose is a hustle player and I think he may actually see the most playing time he's seen in five years. Since Harrington has not been playing, they really won't need to transition to starting another player at power forward and will likely continue playing small with Corey Maggette at the four.
I have to give Donnie Walsh credit for making this happen for the Knicks. If he finds a way to get something in return for Stephon Marbury before the trade deadline, New Yorkers may soon be erecting a statue at MSG in his honor.
Chris Fry created this group on SportProjections.com. 