In the most anticipated summer of free agency in NBA history, the Knicks’ signature acquisition was clearly Amar’e Stoudemire.  Amar’e has put up MVP-like numbers in the first half of the season, and has put the Knicks franchise back on track.  But to get back to where they were in the Patrick Ewing era, the Knicks would need more than just one superstar, and NBA salary cap rules prevent them from signing 10 players to $100 million contracts. 

The league’s elite always have players who are “value” guys.  Guys who are worth more on the court than that which they are being paid.  While Amar’e has been great, Donnie Walsh found another player this offseason who has turned out to be their “best value”.

Via NBA.com:

Best values

Raymond Felton, Knicks. If point guards are so hard to find, then how did the Knicks get one who’s averaging 18 points, almost nine assists and two steals and has quickly developed a bond with Amar’e Stoudemire that, while not Nash-like, is good enough? You could thank Michael Jordan for letting a 26-year-old leave the Bobcats for nothing, and credit the Knicks for paying a reasonable amount ($7 million a year) to fill a tough position. Felton went for 28 points and seven assists against Tony Parker, 20 and 12 vs. Derrick Rose, 26 and 14 vs. Rajon Rondo, 35 and 11 against Monta Ellis, etc. You can say he isn’t elite. But he’s playing well against the elite.

Today on the Doug Gottlieb Show, NBA analyst Ric Bucher spoke about the Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker to the Knicks rumors.

He had this to say about Anthony:
I’m told simply he doesnt want to be there anymore. [His decision as to whether or not to sign the extension] is based on what gives him the most leverage to start next season in a different uniform. He doesn’t see a team that’s on the rise. He sees a team that is stuck financially and is not going to improve anytime soon. This is a byproduct of the Miami situation. Being around New York reminded him of what a great market and city it is.

Houston has [also] created a position where they could do it. They have some pieces where they could make a decent trade and get carmelo in return. I dont know where houston is on his radar.

I would say [this happens before the season begins]. I’m told this is going to get ugly in a hurry. He doesnt want to start the season in Denver and Denver is aware of that. Carmelo is going to put as much pressure on the denver nuggets to get something done before the season starts.

And this to say about Parker:
The problem is that if he is going to go now, they (Spurs) would have to trade him and New York does not have anything that San Antonio wants. So if Tony wants to go to New York in particular, then he’s going to have to wait until he is free agent.

I can see Tony potentially being moved but having him go to New York is probably the longest shot around. I know from the Spurs stand point that they looked at New York’s roster and they go ‘You know what? There’s not a deal for us to make there.’

Here we go again…Stay tuned.

The third and final piece of our interview with Jon Rothstein.  Having covered many of the Knicks summer additions from their college days, Rothstein offers his in-depth insight on the Raymond Felton signing and 2/3 of the David Lee trade.  And caps it off with an awesome LeBron James rant…

KNICKSTWEETS: Being that the Knicks oldest player right now is 27 (now 30, with the Roger Mason signing), and given your background, we’d imagine that you’ve followed most of these players since their college days, of course with the exception of Amar’e Stoudemire and Eddy Curry, who came out of high school.

JON ROTHSTEIN: Amar’e Stoudemire too, people have to remember, was initially committed to play for John Calipari in Memphis, so I knew a good deal about Amar’e before he was drafted 9th overall in the 2002 NBA draft.

KNICKSTWEETS: Another signing that you were pretty amped about was Raymond Felton. You called it one of your ‘Top 5 Under the Radar Free-Agent Signings,’ where you recalled a conversation you had with Roy Williams about (more…)

Via Hoopsworld:

Raymond Felton – signed with New York for $15.8 million over two years (team option for a third season):  It’s make or break-or-break time for Felton’s NBA career.  Raymond has not performed as well on the pro level as many predicted he would coming out of UNC.  Nonetheless, the Knicks desperately (and I do mean desperately) needed a starting point guard, and Felton was actually the best available PG on the market.  He is still young – he just turned 26 – and has proven he can handle lead-guard responsibilities.  Felton’s overall numbers dipped a bit last season, the good news was that his efficiency improved; he shot a career-high 46% from the floor and career-best 38.5% from three-point territory.  Point guards in Mike D’Antoni’s offense need to be able to knock down shots, so we shall see how this plays out.  The best part, from a Knicks perspective, is that they were able to lock up Felton on a short-term contract; just two years at $15.8 million guaranteed (with a potential team option for the third season.)   That allows the Knicks to retain great cap flexibility, and also keep open the possibility of obtaining a PG such as Tony Parker or CP3 down the road.  When you look at some of the other contracts signed this summer, players not nearly on Felton’s level have received twice as much guaranteed money.  For the Knicks to land a legit starting PG at that price is a coup for Donnie the Knicks.  If he can take his game to the next level under D’Antoni – everybody in New York will love Raymond…

As long as Mike D’Antoni lives up to his end of the bargain by giving him proper amount of playing time via a consistent rotation, we think the world of Raymond Felton’s potential on this team.  From running the transition offense, pick-and-roll with Amar’e and others (Randolph and Mozgov?) and getting back on defense, the time is now for Felton.  If he blossoms under Coach D, Raymond Felton may be able to silence the Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Tony Parker chatter.

Via Newsday:

According to reports, the team last night was on the verge of signing free agent Luke Ridnour , which immediately caught the attention of the Knicks , who have coveted Rubio, the 19-year-old Spanish star, since the 2009 draft.

A person with knowledge of the situation said the Knicks recently have made contact with the Timberwolves to check on Rubio’s availability but got nowhere. When asked by Newsday if Rubio was still off limits, Wolves president David Kahn replied, “Yes.”

“David believes he will get him,” an NBA executive said. “He will not trade him until he thinks [otherwise].”

Rubio could refuse to sign with Minnesota and force a trade, though the Timberwolves hold the leverage here because they keep his rights forever and can leave him in Europe for the rest of his career.

You have to imagine the Knicks will continue to keep close tabs on the Rubio situation, as they will with Tony Parker in San Antonio and Chris Paul in New Orleans.  This is what Donnie gets paid to do.

Via Alan Hahn of Newsday:

According to multiple sources who attended the wedding, which was held at Cipriani on 42nd St., the common theme among the best wishes to Melo and his new bride, television personality LaLa Vazquez, was that they should consider taking up permanent residence in New York and Carmelo should take the challenge LeBron passed on with the Knicks.

Then, with a less-than-pleased Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke in attendance, Chris Paul included in his address to the happy couple that he wanted to get Carmelo to go with him to join Amar’e Stoudemire with the Knicks “and form our own Big Three.”

Stoudemire, who also attended the wedding, loved what he heard.

Anthony was born in Brooklyn and still has a great deal of family here, as does fellow Brooklynite Vazquez, whose own career would benefit from being in New York City.

Via NY Post:

According to a person who spoke with wedding attendee Amar’e Stoudemire, Paul made the reference during a speech of a potential union of himself, Stoudemire and Anthony, saying, “We’ll form our own Big 3,” Paul allegedly said.

Attendee Spike Lee nearly passed out at the suggestion.

A source told The Post on Dec. 15, when trades are permitted for free-agent signees and draft picks, the Knicks will try to put together a package for either free-agent-to-be Tony Parker or Paul.

Raymond Felton, the Knicks’ new point guard acquired last week from Charlotte, will be eligible to be traded in December and if the Spurs or ailing Hornets like him, perhaps either point guard could be had, giving Felton a short Knick run. A Felton/Wilson Chandler package would not be out of the question for at least Parker.

Nuff said.

Via Chris Sheridan’s chat on ESPN NY:

While we agree that locking up David Lee last year (at probably $10M per) would have been prudent, it is hard to argue that this was a bad deal.  Anthony Randolph is a promising young talent, Ronny Turiaf is a hard-working PF, and Kellana Azubuike is a rangy SF.  All of these players have favorable contracts and this 3 for 1 scenario provides needed flexibility to go after Carmelo Anthony or Tony Parker at next year’s trade deadline or 2011 Free Agency.

Look, we are the first to recognize David Lee’s work ethic and respect for the game.  We will continue to follow his career and compare it to Amar’e Stoudemire’s.  When we wrote about the potential of the Knicks losing Lee, what was lost on the article was the buzz that Amar’e will bring to MSG and the credibility he has amongst his All-Star peers.

So, unlike Chris Sheridan, we reserve complete judgment on this trade.  Only time will tell if the moves Donnie Walsh & co. make this year and next will bring the New York Knicks back to its glory days.

What do you think?

Via  Alan Hahn of Newday:

The Knicks are prepared to act quickly if James decides not to come to New York. According to multiple NBA sources, the team has several scenarios on hold that will be activated. One scenario involves the team sending David Lee to the Warriors for Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike and Ronny Turiaf.

The team also will get to work on looking for a point guard, with Raymond Felton and Luke Ridnour as the main targets. It’s certainly not a blueprint for a championship-caliber roster, but with the right kinds of contracts, the Knicks still could have more cap flexibility next summer, when players such as Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker are scheduled to be free agents.

The Knicks have inquired about both players and have been told neither is on the block. Parker and Stoudemire have talked about teaming up with the Knicks, and a person close to Parker said he and his wife, actress Eva Longoria, are very interested in coming to New York.

We heard yesterday that at least 3 sign & trade deals for David Lee were in the works.  One name not mentioned above is Mike Miller, who the Knicks met with in the opening hours of free agency.  Losing the LeBron James sweepstakes would hurt, but have faith in Donnie Walsh’s ability to put together a competitive team over the next 2 years.  As of now, Carmelo Anthony has yet to sign a  contract extension.  He and Tony Parker are slated to be free agents in the Summer of 2011.  Do not give up hope on LeBron to the Knicks, but know that this franchise is in good hands.

The story of the morning and until Thursday at 9:00 and then after Thursday into Friday and beyond is obvious:  How did Chris Duhon convince the Orlando Magic to pay him nearly $3.75 millon a season for 4 years?  Crazy, huh?

So yeah, LeBron’s decision to come on ESPN, what an egomaniac and perfect fit for NYC (not Newark)

Via The NY Post:

Tune in tomorrow night at 9 on ESPN.

It is unclear if the six teams James met with will be debriefed beforehand or if it will be treated like a state secret.

There was speculation James originally was going to announce his decision at his Akron high school skills camp, which concludes today. The change to ESPN could be a better sign for the Knicks and Nets, but   (more…)

Via ESPN:

Free agent point guard Chris Duhon agreed to a four year, $15 million dollar contract with the Orlando Magic, his agent, Kevin Bradbury, told ESPN.com.

Will Toney Douglas run the point next year for the Knicks or will Raymond Felton, Luke Ridnour or Tony Parker?  Or perhaps LeBron James or Dwyane Wade?  Cheapest option Sergio Rodriguez is reportedly off to Spain.