Broussard: Knicks' Plan B's include Varejao or Iguodala

[EmpireWF]

From Chris Broussard's ESPN blog

So if the Knicks can’t trade for Anthony by the Feb. 24 trade deadline, they’ve got two other potential Plan Bs in mind.

In one, they may go after Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, who would seem to fit nicely in Mike D’Antoni’s system. Eddy Curry’s expiring contract and one other player might be enough to pry Iguodala away from the Sixers, though Philadelphia doesn’t want to give away its top player in a mere salary dump.

The Knicks’ other scenario would potentially bring Cleveland’s proven role players Anderson Varejao and Daniel “Boobie” Gibson to Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are aware of their need for more toughness inside and Varejao would provide that. And Gibson could fill the backup point guard spot the Knicks have been looking to upgrade.

If Carmelo isn't a possibility (I'm beginning to believe he isn't...doesn't appear the Nuggets have any reason to deal him to NY)....the most attractive option would probably be Varejao/Gibson...

 

[ralaw]

If they can't trade for him why wouldn't they just wait until the summer, because if Melo hits the open market he's going to NY. AI2 is good, but he's nothing special and you certainly don't want him as your second best player. Varejao would be a good pickup though regardless.

 

[Argath]

lol @ Varajeo and Gibson being a plan B. Sounds more like a plan Z

 

[EmpireWF]

If they can't trade for him why wouldn't they just wait until the summer, because if Melo hits the open market he's going to NY. AI2 is good, but he's nothing special and you certainly don't want him as your second best player. Varejao would be a good pickup though regardless.

They would only look into other plans if Melo goes elsewhere and signs an extension.

Otherwise, if they can trade for him, or if he is moved elsewhere but doesn't sign an extension...they're confident they can sign him as a free agent.

 

[Rudi]

If the Cavs fucking trade Gibson, I'm done with this team. He is far and away the fan favorite right now and is playing great. We can't get rid of him.

 

[NAHSTE]

If the Cavs fucking trade Gibson, I'm done with this team. He is far and away the fan favorite right now and is playing great. We can't get rid of him.

Dude, I'm sorry, but of all the reasons not to be a Cleveland fan, you're gonna wait until Boobie fucking Gibson leaves to finally say you've had enough?

 

[Rudi]

Dude, I'm sorry, but of all the reasons not to be a Cleveland fan, you're gonna wait until Boobie fucking Gibson leaves to finally say you've had enough?

Why yes, I am.

 

[Cody]

Really? Varejao is the heart and soul of our team.

 

[Lanteri]

I had to lol @ Varejao and toughness in the same sentence.

 

[NAHSTE]

I had to lol @ Varejao and toughness in the same sentence.

We are talking about the Knicks ... so it'd still be a toughness upgrade.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

If they can't trade for him why wouldn't they just wait until the summer, because if Melo hits the open market he's going to NY. AI2 is good, but he's nothing special and you certainly don't want him as your second best player. Varejao would be a good pickup though regardless.

As is, Carmelo is open to go to NY and less so, but still would take it, New Jersey. If he goes on the open market, he'll probably go to NY, but the issue is, Denver won't receive anything in return (maybe some token pics, just so he can get the max).

Right now, the Nets have a plethora of deals on the table for the Nuggets...something tells me, before the deadline, unless the Knicks can assemble a good deal (which they can't), Carmelo goes to NJ because they have more to offer the Nuggets. Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, First round draft picks...I would expect a multi-team deal...maybe somebody gets Devin Harris and the Nets get some vets in return along with Melo to make salaries work.

Overall...if/when the Nuggets trade or lose Carmelo, they are fully aware they need to rebuild...they are starting over, so, for Carmelo, they are going to want the most possible assets...the Nets and their stockpile of assets have that. Favors + salary + picks will get Carmelo in the end if the Nuggets stupid.

 

[EmpireWF]

As is, Carmelo is open to go to NY and less so, but still would take it, New Jersey. If he goes on the open market, he'll probably go to NY, but the issue is, Denver won't receive anything in return (maybe some token pics, just so he can get the max).

Right now, the Nets have a plethora of deals on the table for the Nuggets...something tells me, before the deadline, unless the Knicks can assemble a good deal (which they can't), Carmelo goes to NJ because they have more to offer the Nuggets. Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, First round draft picks...I would expect a multi-team deal...maybe somebody gets Devin Harris and the Nets get some vets in return along with Melo to make salaries work.

Overall...if/when the Nuggets trade or lose Carmelo, they are fully aware they need to rebuild...they are starting over, so, for Carmelo, they are going to want the most possible assets...the Nets and their stockpile of assets have that. Favors + salary + picks will get Carmelo in the end if the Nuggets stupid.

It depends. Does Carmelo sign the extension with NJ figuring he won't get as much as a free agent?

Does NJ do the trade without a guarantee of an extension?

If the answer to either is NO....Denver may have to settle elsewhere.

And I don't see how unless the Knicks do something drastic, they get him in a trade. I do not get the sense Denver is at all interested in anything they can offer.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

It depends. Does Carmelo sign the extension with NJ figuring he won't get as much as a free agent?

Does NJ do the trade without a guarantee of an extension?

If the answer to either is NO....Denver may have to settle elsewhere.

And I don't see how unless the Knicks do something drastic, they get him in a trade. I do not get the sense Denver is at all interested in anything they can offer.

NJ doesn't do the deal without a guarantee of an extension.

Philly has also inquired about Melo...he refused to sign an extension. He is open to NY and less so, NJ.

the Knicks just don't have the horses to make the deal happen. No valuable young players outside of Gallinari, and no draft picks, and no salary dumps.

If the Knicks get the deal, the Nuggets decided to give Melo away.

 

[EmpireWF]

the Knicks just don't have the horses to make the deal happen. No valuable young players outside of Gallinari, and no draft picks, and no salary dumps.

Gallo and Fields are valuable young players, they have 1 draft pick in 2014 (supposedly, Walsh says he can acquire a first rounder...everyone thinks for Randolph) and the big salary dump they have is Curry.

But based on what is written, the Nuggets don't give a shit about the Knicks young players.

They see what the Nets are offering and they are probably cumming in their old man pants. A 19-year old power forward who has the potential to be a top player, a shit load of first rounders and cap space.

Unless someone comes from left field with a blow away offer AND the intention to rent Melo....I don't see how he won't end up in Jersey....unless he really doesn't want to play for the eventual little brother NY team.

 

[IamMedellin]

it seems...Like Melo can get his money and eventually play in brooklyn with the Nets

or

he can get less money[new contracts will be less substantial in the New CBA] and sign with the Knicks in the summer...

Depends on how bad Melo really wants to be a Knick

 

[Obst]

No way the Sixers give up Iggy just for salary relief. I would do Iggy for Randolph/Gallinari/Curry though.

 

[Mogriffjr]

No way the Sixers give up Iggy just for salary relief. I would do Iggy for Randolph/Gallinari/Curry though.

not like the Knicks use Randolph anyway.

and it seems like Danilo doesn't excite anyone like Favors does.

 

[Obst]

I like Gallinari's range and it could let Evan Turner start. Randolph could be good with minutes, and would add depth for us and then Curry would be a cap dump. I wouldn't love the trade, but it'd be good for both sides.

 

[EmpireWF]

For the Knicks to be interested in Iguodala, they need to know Carmelo is not a free agent at the end of the year (so he signs an extension with anyone besides NY).

They also have to decide whether Iguodala is better then anything they can acquire in free agency with the cap flexibility they have. If they move to acquire him, he's pretty much locked up at $40 mil over the next few years.

In the Real GM trade checker, this deal worked out financially:

NY Gets: F Andre Iguodala, C/F Tony Battie, G Chris Duhon
PHI Gets: F Danilo Gallinari, C Eddy Curry
ORL Gets: F Anthony Randolph

*figure a draft pick would have to be coming from Orlando to NY

Not sure if NY would take on the contracts (Battie is an expiring one, Duhon has some years left)....not sure if Orlando would be interested in the project that Randolph is, but he is a big, albeit not a physical player....and is Gallinari and an expiring deal worth it for Philly?

Again, NY would have to be sure all other options are lesser than AI and his defense.

 

[Primetime]

NYK gets owned in that trade if you ask me.