Friday, July 09, 2004

Act II: It's clobberin' time

Maybe I figured wrong.

After a 30-minute phone conversation with Knicks President Isiah Thomas on Friday, the excitement in Jamal Crawford's voice was palpable.

In either deal, Crawford could make $57 million over six years or $70 million over seven.

Thomas told Crawford he would be excited to see him in a Knicks uniform. He may get his chance soon.

The Bulls are aware Crawford is the best talent in the talks, which makes future financial flexibility paramount to the deal. The inflated free-agent market has affected the Bulls' budget of about $5 million to re-sign Crawford.


I'm more or less inclined to have Crawford tough it out on the Bulls and if necessary pout on the bench than I would see him force a bad trade.

What's driving this trade?

Thomas needs to sign someone substancial for his own sake as much as for the Knicks. He can't do nothing and keep his boss happy. He traded this year's draft pick last year but still needs to upgrade the Knicks. This is his best chance given Wallace is not going to sign for a lesser amount.

Crawford isn't worth more than the 5 million mid-level exception. 10 million for J.Crawford is bad deal for NY given they already have a scoring PG and J.Crawford still needs to improve his play and mature. Ironically, E.Robinson might be salvageable in NY and not as bad a player there as he would be in Chicago. He is a talented player and maybe he can be motivated to play to his potential. J.Williams is a hard worker. Both Williams and Robinson are overpaid and only one has an attidute problem.

It's clobberin' time.

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