HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

Ever since James Dolan broke the news last Friday that he would not be signing Donnie Walsh to a contract extension, there has been rampant speculation as to who might be named as Walsh’s successor.  Glen Grunwald has been tabbed as the interim GM and there are a slew of individuals purportedly up for consideration.  Current MSG employees such as Mark Warkentien, Scott O’Neil, John Gabriel, and Allan Houston have been mentioned as potential in-house candidates.  A variety of basketball men, with varying levels of experience, have been also been mentioned over the last few days: Kevin Pritchard, Chris Mullin, Jeff Bower, Rich Cho, Danny Ferry, Kiki Vandeweghe, John Calipari, among others…

However, instead of speculating as to who Dolan may anoint as the Knicks next decision maker, let’s take a look at what the new hire has in store.

First, we can address the positives: Due to Donnie Walsh’s brilliant efforts, the Knicks roster contains two legit NBA superstars.  With Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony set in place as the building blocks of New York’s foundation moving forward, the upside if obvious.

Walsh had a three-pronged plan of attack when accepting the job back in 2008. The first step was somehow getting rid of the many bloated, “untradeable” contracts he inherited and getting far enough under the salary cap to become a player in the free agent market. Next up was turning that cap space into stars that would lift the franchise out of the cellar and into playoff contention. The final step was the difficult task of rounding out the roster by surrounding the superstars with a strong supporting cast of role players and reliable, consistent contributors.

Walsh successfully accomplished the first two goals. However, Dolan imprudently relieved Donnie of his authority (sorry, I mean there was a “mutual” parting) before Walsh was able to complete the task. Thus, Walsh leaves behind a roster with a few glaring holes.  As a result, whoever replaces Walsh is going to have his hands full.  This team is by means no means a finished product.  As I have detailed many times since New York’s season ended, the Knicks desperately need to acquire a starting center; in addition to landing a long-term answer at point guard, and adding much-needed overall depth.  Remember, this is a team that leaned heavily on players such as Jared Jefferies, Anthony Carter, and Roger Mason Jr. in their first-round playoff series against the Celtics.  This was partly due to injuries sustained by Amar’e and Chauncey Billups, but the fact remains…

{AUTHOR_BOX}Despite having a pair of studs at the forward spots, rounding out this roster will not be an easy task. Worse yet, the future GM at MSG may have a more difficult job then anticipated if the new Collective Bargaining Agreement includes a ‘hard cap’ or eliminates the ‘mid-level exception.’ In the past, teams stocked with stars and over the cap could flesh out their roster by bringing in very good players willing to sacrifice some money in order to play with other great players. However, if the lockout leads to radically revamped CBA that favors small-market owners and fiscal austerity, teams like New York will have a much harder time fielding a deep and well-rounded roster.

But that’s not the only roadblock in the way.

There are other impediments to improving the Knicks roster, other than limited flexibility under a potentially constrictive cap. Another issue is the fact that the Knicks have traded away many of their future picks (both in the first and second rounds) in upcoming drafts.

Here is the full list if picks New York owes to other teams:
* L.A. Lakers will receive Knicks 2011 Second-Round Pick (via Toney Douglas trade on 6/25/09)

* Houston Rockets will receive Knicks 2012 first-round pick (top-5 protected) (via Tracy McGrady trade on 2/18/10)

* Phoenix Suns will receive Knicks 2012 second-round pick (via the Amar’e Stoudemire trade on 7/8/10)

* Denver Nuggets will receive Knicks 2014 first-round pick (via the Carmelo Anthony trade on 2/22/11)

* Denver Nuggets receive rights to swap 2016 first-round picks with the Knicks (via the Carmelo Anthony trade on 2/22/11)

Looking at this list, it becomes apparent that the Knicks need to hit a homerun later this month at the 2011 NBA Draft in Newark.

Clearly, there are number of hurdles New York’s next GM will have to clear in order to transform the Knicks into legitimate contenders.  And not only will he face an uphill battle, he’ll have to undertake this challenge under the bright lights of Broadway, with rabid reporters ready to rip him to shreds for any misstep along the way. He’d be signing up to work for a quirky, unpredictable owner. He’ll inherit an unbalanced, cap-strapped roster. And since the team has traded away a majority of its future first-round picks (and the picks they do retain will likely be in the late teens or twenty’s), it will be very difficult to improve dramatically via the draft. All the while, he’ll be constantly judged by a devoted, but impatient fan base and examined daily under an intense media microscope.

But besides that, it should be blast…

All hyperbole aside, there are plenty of perks to the Knicks gig. Not least of which, is a hefty salary commensurate with a demanding position. Most importantly, as Sinatra once said, and Jay-Z has affirmed more recently: “If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere.”  Whoever is lucky enough to be named the next GM of the Knicks will have a tall order, but if he ever gets the Knicks near the mountaintop, the folks inside the Mecca of basketball will worship him forever, and the journey will have certainly all be worth it. “Let’s hear it for New York…”
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