So far I like what Donnie Walsh is doing to rebuild this team. He is staying adamant about getting under the salary cap for 2010, in the hopes of luring free agent LeBron James away from Cleveland, and Brooklyn, and Europe (really?). These are the necessary steps to improve this Knicks team:
1. Get under salary cap
To do this they most likely need to move Zach Randolph. There is still time to trade him before the season, possibly to Memphis who has available cap space. If they aren't able to find a fair trade, they should showcase him during the season to try to trade him before the deadline. If they aren't able to do this they still have next summer to get a deal done.
2. Get top draft picks
The Knicks will probably be a lottery team next season, and they should use their draft pick to acquire a promising young point guard. Two of the top options are Brandon Jennings, who made the unprecedented move to bypass college and play a year professionally in Italy, and Ricky Rubio, a young Spaniard who is being called the next Pistol Pete.
3. Sign LeBron in 2010
This might be the hardest part of the plan. The competition is Cleveland, New Jersey/Brooklyn, and Europe if a team is willing to offer King James a $50 million/year contract. LeBron is an Ohio native, and the Cavs will certainly do everything they can to keep him in Cleveland. LeBron is close with Nets owner Jay-Z, and he could become the face of the franchise of the new Brooklyn Nets after they make the move from Jersey. LeBron should definitely be the Knicks' top priority in 2010, but if they are unable to sign him there are other free agents available such as Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh, so it isn't a risky all or nothing move.
Yes, that Frederic Weis. Ewing Jr. was acquired by the Houston Rockets through the Ron Artest trade, but they were likely to release him because he had a non-guaranteed contract and the team's roster is full. The Knicks also have a full roster, so Ewing will have to earn a spot at training camp, unless there is another trade before the season starts (Zach Randolph possibly). At 6'8 and the small forward position, Ewing Jr. isn't the player his father was. He is actually a very similar player to Renaldo Balkman and can help fill that void. Like Balkman he is sure to be a crowd favorite, on his name alone. He is strong defensivly, brings a lot of energy, but he is a better shooter than Balkman.
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