Re: NY Daily News - Basketball - Antoine trade isn't dead yet

[Eggcentric@xxxxxxx]

< BOSTON - The proposed trade that would have brought Antoine Walker 
to New York would have included Mike Sweetney, the Knicks' first-round 
draft pick.

According to a league source, the Knicks offered Sweetney, Kurt Thomas, 
Charlie Ward and Frank Williams to Boston for Walker, the All-Star 
forward. The trade was discussed after the Knicks made Sweetney the 
ninth overall pick in last month's NBA draft.  

Boston rejected the deal but may reconsider if it can't find a better offer
for Walker. Celtics GM Danny Ainge appears committed to trading Walker.>
- New York Daily News - July 15

It has been rumored forever that the Knicks have been eager to rid
themselves of three players - Sprewell, Ward, and Kurt Thomas.  Can 
someone please explain to me why the Knicks feel they can afford to 
trade the only decent center they have for yet another PF (Walker) when 
they now have about a dozen PF's? Even playing out of position, center 
Thomas averaged 14 ppg, 7.90 rpg, 1.20 bpg, and a .483 FG%.  What's 
wrong with 14-8?  It is superior to Battiebs 7-6, n'est ce pas?

I would have jumped at this NY trade.  But if Ainge didn't pull the trigger 
on it prior to the draft, why would he any time in the future?  

Arguably, Ainge's two favorite players over Banks in the draft (aside 
from the first three biggies) were Bosh and Sweetney.  But Sweetney 
has now officially been signed by the Knicks which means he cannot 
now be traded for several months.  Meanwhile we went ahead and 
drafted a PG and are considering adding E. Strickland as the final piece 
to our 2003-04 thirteen-man puzzling roster. 

At some point Ainge must realize he can't have it both ways. He must 
either bow to the owners' wishes to remain a playoff team while he 
slowly and conservatively tiptoes around attempting to integrate 
his own system, or he must disregard their wishes, clean house,  
and boldly start over from ground zero in hopes of creating the 
eventual juggernaut of his and our future dreams.  

One or the other, Danny.  It's your choice... or is it?  

Egg