If I was James Dolan…

I would be a douchebag (HY)! Now seriously, with draft day looming it’s time to start thinking about what the Knicks should do. The Knicks have one more year with D’Antoni. The Knicks are obviously locked into Melo and Amare who account for roughly 40 million under the cap. Unfortunately, they picked up the pricey extension for Chauncey to come back for about 15 million. Aside from these three, they don’t have any big contracts. As far as movable assets, Fields and Douglas cost practically nothing, and are both young decent players which make them attractive in a trade. Also, the Knicks have the 17th pick in the draft. Thus, the idea of a combination of Fields and/or Douglas with their draft pick is being floated in various scenarios.

Of course, the summertime for the NBA is time for the rumor mill to be in full effect. The rumors so far for possible Knicks moves have the possibility of trading one their assets (Fields or Douglas) plus their pick for Minnesota’s point guard (PG) Johnny Flynn. Flynn was a top ten pick two seasons ago, but had a hip injury and a sophomore slump. This move doesn’t make sense to me (aside from the fact that we could have had a number of better PG’s in Jennings, Lawson, and Holiday and passed on all them for Jordan Hill, SMH!). I think Douglas is as good Flynn plus has more size and shooting range. Next, is the idea of trading one of their assets and pick to move up to land BYU’s Jimmer Freddete. Jimmer was the country’s college leading scorer. Concerns about Jimmer (as with every white guy) is his speed and defense. I think the knock on his speed is not well founded; however, his defense does remain a question mark. The big gamble with Jimmer is his ability to make the leap. The upside is his range and desire to be a Knick, which he has said would be his 1st choice (mom is it my choice). In other moves, the idea of trading Chauncey for Steve Nash has been floated. What the Knicks will probably do is draft the best player available with their pick, like a Chris Singleton guy, and stay put on all these moves and make a move next season.

What I would do if I were the Knicks GM is to go after the best big man available. Restricted and unrestricted big men include Tyson Chandler and Marc Gasol. Rumors have the Bucks wanting to trade Bogut. I would also make the Chauncey for Nash trade if I could. I would stay away from Vince Carter and Bonzi Wells, both of whom are available and have been talked about in connection to the Knicks. I think we should go after any of these legit big men, hopefully Chandler, and with a good PG like Nash, plus Melo and Amare, the Knicks are in the mix in the east. I would also use the pick and one of my assets to move up for Jimmer. I believe he is worth the gamble.

Now, if the Knicks are unable to sign a big man or trade Billups I would stay put and look to get Deron Williams or Chris Paul at the end of the season. As an aside, I can’t see Deron signing an extension with the Nets but who knows. I think the Knicks are in decent position moving forward. My major concern is still Melo’s ability to become a leader and bring a championship back to the Garden. Also, after next season I would say goodbye to D’Antonti. Let’s go Knicks!!!