Dicker or Deal: Knicks add Randolph to Crawford-Harrington Trade

In twist of fate more topsy-turvy than a ride on Cedar Point's Magnum, New York Knicks' president Donnie Walsh, threw a curveball into the midst of the Crawford-Harrington deal by dickering and dealing Zach Randolph into the equation. A long way from his low scoring, lackluster performance days trailblazing in Portland, Zach has been putting up numbers, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. Since his girl chasing years at Michigan State, including a flirty encounter with yours truly, I always thought Zach's boyish mannerisms, baby face and under developed talents were better suited for posting up opponents at the Breslin Center than out rebounding opponents at the Rose Garden so nobody other than fellow Spartans, friends and family are as pleased as I am at his evolution into a NBA caliber offensive rebounder and scorer. If there was one decent decision made in the Isaiah Thomas era, it was acquiring Randolph in 2007. Although pleasantly surprised at the 260 pound power forward-center, Walsh just couldn't imagine a foreseeable future including Randolph in newly crowned Knicks' coach Mike D'Antoni's run and gun style of offense, opting instead for a more versatile and inexpensive Al Harrington of Golden State fame.

"Al is a true NBA veteran who possesses multi-positional skills," D'Antoni commented. "He will fit perfectly into our system and will help us win some games immediately."

Here's the rundown of the two trades: The Knicks acquire Cuttino Mobley (2 years, $18.9M), Al Harrington (2 years, $19.2M) and Tim Thomas (2 years, $12.5M) while sending Zach Randolph, Jamal Crawford, and Mardy Collins packing - Zach Randolph (3 years, $48M) and Mardy Collins (2 years, $2.8M) to the LA Clippers and Jamal Crawford (3 years, $28M) to Golden State Warriors. The Clippers in addition to acquiring Randolph and Collins, may have to give up a future second round draft pick. This undoubtedly is a power play to clear up cap space in the tune of $78.8 million, saving roughly $27.5 million as Thomas and Harrington's deals will fall off New York's payroll by summer 2010 to strategically position the Knicks in the rat race also known as the 2010 free agent class. New York has a nice fat chunk of cheese to woo a certain number 23 and possibly another illustrious player who will remain anonymous but has been known to go by the nickname "The Flash."

"I think that opening up cap space down the road for us is a big plus on our side and I hope our fans understand that that can give us an opportunity to make the team better according to the plan that I've outlined,"Walsh was quoted as saying. "So I'm trying to be true to what I said from day one, and that's what I'm doing."
With the Nets postponing their move to Brooklyn due to an unfinished arena, expect the Knicks to be a front runner in snatching up free agents left and right in a class that not only includes Lebron, Bosh and Wade, but potentially high profilers Shaq, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire, Dirk Norwitzki, Yao Ming, Tracy Mcgrady, Manu Ginobili, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, among others! Will Lebron take a bite of the Big Apple? As much as money talks, Lebron will follow suit where he feels he can fulfill his desire to win a championship. All I can say it's no wonder why Eve found this fruit so tempting.

Hello New York!