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      Knicks suddenly busy on deadline day

      February 19, 2009 /

      The New York Knicks were suspiciously absent from lot of the trade rumors that have been flying the last few days, but that’s mostly because they weren’t in play for any of the big names. They’ve pulled off two deals and may pull off a third…

      The Knicks have swung two deals.

      No. 1: Tim Thomas, Jerome James and Anthony Roberson to Chicago for Larry Hughes

      No. 2: Malik Rose and cash to Oklahoma City for Chris Wilcox

      The contracts of Thomas, James and Hughes expire after next season, so in the first deal it looks like the Knicks are trying to make themselves better with Hughes. (I guess.) Rose and Wilcox both have deals that expire this season, so it appears that they’d like to add Wilcox to the mix in the frontcourt. He’s better than Rose, so it’s probably a good move depending on how much cash they had to throw at OKC.

      The Knicks may also make a third trade:

      Sources say the Kings have offered Kenny Thomas for Nate Robinson and Jared Jeffries. If the Knicks could move Jeffries, it would clear another $6.8 million in the summer of 2010.

      The Knicks would have to give up the talented Robinson and eat Thomas’ $8.7 million salary next year … but it’s probably worth it to the Knicks. Especially now that they’ve shored up their offense with the deals for Larry Hughes and Chris Wilcox.

      So the Knicks would part ways with the diminutive but talented Nate Robinson in order to give themselves even more cap space in the summer of 2010. This deal might be the result of the possibility of the cap decreasing over the next two years. The Knicks may be looking at their books and realizing that they can’t pay David Lee, Nate Robinson and have enough left over to sign two big-name free agents next summer.

      If they were to pull off this trade, they would be on the hook for only $16.7 million heading into next summer. Assuming the cap ends up at $56 million (or so) that leaves $39 million in cap space. If they can sign Lee to a deal averaging around $8 million per season, that leaves $31 million for a superstar or two.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, News, Rumors & Gossip

      Offseason Blueprint: Cincinnati Bengals

      February 19, 2009 /

      Notable Free Agents: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR; Stacy Andrews, OT; Shayne Graham, K (franchised); Eric Ghiaciuc, C; Cedric Benson, RB; Brandon Johnson, LB; Chris Crocker, FS.

      Projected 2009 Cap Space: $22,000,000

      Draft Order: 6

      Top Needs: Depending on what players the Bengals choose to re-sign, the team needs to make major additions to the offensive line and could use a boost at defensive end. Running back and wide receiver will be two positions owner/GM Mike Brown looks at as well.

      Offseason Outlook: Cap-wise, the Bungles aren’t in bad shape but they’ve got major question marks heading into the offseason.

      The team decided not to use a franchise tag on wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who more than likely will jet as soon as he officially becomes a free agent at the end of the month. And considering Cincy decided to franchise kicker Shayne Graham, there’s a good possibility they’ll lose running back Cedric Benson this offseason, too.

      You can already see the wheels turning in Mike Brown’s head. If he’s unable to re-sign Housh and Benson, he might look to draft one of the skill positions with the sixth overall pick, which would be a mistake. Adding a dynamic receiving prospect like Michael Crabtree or a big back like Chris “Beanie” Wells won’t get you very far if the offensive line remains a mess.

      Don’t get it twisted – Crabtree and Wells are outstanding prospects and if Brown decides to go with either one come April, he would be adding a solid piece to the Bengals’ offense. But if Brown does go that route in the draft, then he’ll need to address the offensive line woes this offseason, mainly re-signing free agent tackle Stacy Andrews and addressing the center position in the second or third round. Andrews had ACL, MCL surgery in January, but reports state that he’s ahead of schedule and should be ready to play by preseason.

      Anthony Collins is an adequate backup for Andrews if he isn’t ready by the start of the season. But the Bengals have a major issue at left tackle, where Levi Jones has been a major bust. The team reportedly won’t take a cap hit by releasing Jones, but they have to address the position one way or another. That’s why taking one of the top offensive tackle prospects — Eugene Monroe, Jason Smith, Andre Smith, Michael Oher — with the sixth overall pick would serve the Bengals better than going with either Crabtree (who might not be available anyway) or Wells.

      You build a team from the inside out and the Bengals have major holes at left tackle and center. If they re-sign Andrews, draft one of the top tackle prospects and then address the center position either in the second or third round, it would go a long way in improving their overall offense. Then the team can add another wide receiver (if Housh departs) and/or running back (if Benson isn’t re-signed) later in the draft after the needs along the offensive line are addressed.

      Defensively, getting a healthy Jonathan Joseph and Keith Rivers back in the mix will go a long way in helping coordinator Mike Zimmer construct a successful defense. Making contract offers to restricted free agent linebackers Rashad Jeanty and Brandon Johnson are a must, so then the Bengals could concentrate on upgrading the defensive line and possibly even the middle linebacker spot, where Dhani Jones is adequate but getting long in the tooth.

      Even if they do lose Housh this offseason, the Bengals could still be in good shape as long as Brown makes sound decisions, which is a huge question mark. He needs to concentrate on the offensive line and resigning guys like Andrews, Benson, Jeanty and Johnson, and not panic by trying to go all out in replacing Housh.

      NFL

      Derek Anderson to Tampa trade a possibility?

      February 19, 2009 /

      The Tampa Tribune is reporting that a trade between the Browns and Buccaneers for quarterback Derek Anderson may be in the works.

      Free agents such as Byron Leftwich, J.P. Losman and Patrick Ramsey are all being thrown around as possibilities but one possibility that is gaining steam would have the Bucs trading with the Browns for Derek Anderson.

      Anderson has one of the strongest arms in the league as well as just about every physical tool you need to be a difference maker at his position. What he doesn’t have is a great understanding of defenses or the game’s nuances.

      With a little work and a bit of a push he could be developed into one of the game’s better quarterbacks and word is the Brown might take as little as a third-round pick for him.

      When you consider that he’s younger than Luke McCown but has more experience than McCown it doesn’t sound like a bad option for the Bucs to consider, especially with Jeff Jagodzinski running the offense.

      This would be a good move for both teams if the scenario plays out. The Browns have already decided to turn the keys to the offense over to Brady Quinn and therefore don’t need Anderson anymore. The Bucs have decided not to re-sign Jeff Garcia and could use competition for McCown. As the report notes, Anderson has the physical tools to be a starter, but he took a major step back last year after his stellar 2007 campaign. It’ll be interesting to see how this story develops.

      NFL

      NBA trade rumors: Shaq to Cleveland?

      February 19, 2009 /

      6/16/09 Update: For discussion about the more recent Shaq rumors, click here.

      6/25 Update: Shaq has been reportedly traded to Cleveland.

      The trade deadline is at 3 PM ET today, and the rumors are flying fast and furious. I’m not going to spend too much time on each one, but here’s a rundown of the rumors…

      – Yahoo! Sports says that the Cavs are considering acquiring Shaquille O’Neal at the cost of Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. I’m not sure what the upside is here for the Suns other than the fact that they’d get about $5 million in cap relief next season when Pavlovic’s salary comes off the books.

      – The NBA league office apparently sent out a memo warning of drastic reductions in the salary cap and luxury tax thresholds, which may have a few teams scrambling today.

      – There was some talk of a Tracy McGrady-for-Baron Davis deal, but that rumor seems to be dead.

      – The Suns are reportedly still trying to pry talent away from the Grizzlies, offering up Amare Stoudemire for Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Hakim Warrick and a 2009 first round draft pick. Unsurprisingly, the Grizzlies have declined.

      – The Bucks are trying to get out from under Richard Jefferson’s contract and they’ve been making some headway with the Blazers and Cavs about Raef LaFrentz and Wally Szczerbiak, respectively.

      – The Cavs have been trying to pry Antwan Jamison away from the Wizards, who might be more willing to deal today with the news about the (possible) significant drop in the luxury tax threshold.

      – The Vince Carter-to-the-Spurs talk has died down because they don’t want to give up Roger Mason or George Hill in the deal. Apparently, they want the Nets to give Carter away.

      Deadline day is like a poker game with 20 people playing. Teams are holding out until the last minute hoping that they can get the best deal. Complicating matters is the state of the economy and the financial strength of the NBA. There could be a flurry of trades today or everyone could stand pat.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

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