Danilo's Back

Danilo Gallinari is only 20 years old, yet to play a game for the Knicks, and he is already experiening back pain.  No word yet on whether it will affect him once the season starts, but he will be reporting to training camp in Saratoga Springs on Sept. 30. I like Gallinari, and I was one of the few who supported the pick, but it is not a good sign to be suffering from nagging injuries this early in his career.

Deal on the table

Multiple sources claim that Memphis has propsed a deal that would send Darko Milicic and Marko Jaric to the Knicks for Zach Randolph.  As much as I want to get rid of Randolph, I'm still optimistic that the Knicks can get something better than the Serbian duo of Darko and Marko.  Darko was a bust as a number two overall draft pick, but is still young and might fit well in Mike D'Antoni's system.  He would also provide shotblocking and would be the only true 7-footer on the team (other than Jerome James who doesn't really count).  Marko Jaric is the deal killer for me.  His contract will extend into the 2010 season, hurting the Knicks' chances for a big-time free agent.  Donnie Walsh needs to try to get Memphis to throw in one of their young point gurads, like Kyle Lowry or Javaris Crittenton, or a future draft pick.  I understand Randolph is a bit of a team cancer, but the guy produces 20 and 10 every night, something very few players in this league can do.