Donnie's Hidden Powers

Chris Broussard began the charge to dismiss New York from the LeBron sweepstakes and cloud our minds with Chicago-centric thoughts. Then the Russian rockstar Mikhail Prokhorov swept us off of our collective feet with his promise of championships and penchant for trafficing women accross borders. Add Jay-Z and Brooklyn to the equation, and basketball fans found themselves mystified by the possibilities of money, fame and culture all in one. Meanwhile, Cleveland lingered as the true favorite. But since its early departure from the NBA's biggest stage, they have only managed to decrease stability and demonstrate extreme desperation to keep the city's biggest star in his home state.

And finally, hiding quietly below the supposed favorites to land LeBron was New York, whose greatest claim to basketball fame came in the form of Anucha Browne Sanders, Stephon Marbury and most notably, Isiah Thomas. The outlook, simply put, was bleak. So much so that Donnie Walsh sacrificed two seasons for the mere chance at signing LeBron. But now that July 1 looms, the media has portrayed all of Donnie's wheeling and dealing as nothing other than in vain. I am here to tell you that it was not.

I am not so bold as to say the Knicks have the best chance at signing the King; simply that it's better than most assume. We have one, lazy, injured, slow, out of shape, defensively challenged, 7 foot, 295 lb. reason to thank for our improved chances. That's right: Eddy Curry.

Free Agent-A-Palooza has inexorably chained our minds to the present. And at this present time, Chicago is the best destination for LeBron. A nucleus of Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and Derrick Rose is stronger than one of Danilo Gallinari, Toney Douglas and Wilson Chandler. However, unlike any other team participating in the sweepstakes, the Knicks have a large, expiring contract to play with. Once Curry cashes in on his 1 year, $11.3 million player option, he will officially fall into the Theo Ratliff category: a player whose expiring contract is more valuable than his talent.

Imagine Donnie Walsh pitching the following scenario to LeBron:

LeBron and Bosh sign with New York to create the following starting lineup: Bosh, James, Gallinari, Chandler, Douglas. This team probably does not win an NBA championship, but at the least puts the team in the playoff picture. Then, at the trade deadline, when a terrible Atlanta (because Joe Johnson signed somewhere else) begins to dump payroll, Donnie uses the Curry contract to swing a trade for Josh Smith. Or, when Detroit is in a similar situation, Donnie trades for Rodney Stuckey. The possibilities are numerous. So even though initially the Knicks cannot supply the greatest opportunity for championships, the Eddy Curry contract provides flexibility.

If you find this scenario unlikely at best, let's digest another. The Knicks simply hold onto Curry, and release him after the 2010-2011 season. After clearing another 5 or so million from the cap through more wheeling and dealing, the Knicks would have space for another max contract. And who are free agents after the 2010-2011 season? Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony. While Anthony may represent an unideal fit with ball dominating LeBron in the picture, who better to sign than a top 3 point guard? Chris Paul most likely does not want to finish his career surrounded by Peja Stojakovic and James Posey. New York, on the other hand, can provide the talent and money New Orleans lacks. And don't discount the team U.S.A. chemistry.

As I mentioned before, I am not completely blinded by my bias. I understand that the scenarios I have presented are, at best, only somewhat likely. I am, however, frustrated by the media's insistance on New York's inability to accomodate LeBron's desire of winning. The expiration of Eddy Curry's contract adds a dimension that no other team possesses; the ability to acquire a third star. And, as all NBA pundits should know, you can never underestimate Donnie.