Some Warriors May Be Headed to the Knicks

So D’Antoni won’t begin his time in New York with Derrick Rose. That would’ve been too perfect. It also doesn’t appear he’ll be able to readily wrest Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, and his entire coaching staff away from the Suns. Sometimes, life just ain’t so easy.↵
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↵Or is it? According to Newsday, there might be a Golden State-to-MSG exodus in the works. Baron Davis has “put out feelers to gauge the interest of teams in need of an upgrade at point guard”, including the Knicks. And then, perhaps more powerfully:↵↵⇥[Monta] Ellis, 22, also might look to explore other options when the July free-agency period begins. A league source told Newsday that the athletic combo guard, who has flourished in Don Nelson’s fast-break system, definitely has eyes for Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo style.↵⇥
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↵⇥The cap-restricted Knicks, however, could give Ellis only an offer sheet at the mid-level exception. The Warriors could match it but wouldn’t have much left to give Biedrins a raise above his $3.6-million qualifying offer and add seven more players. Or the Knicks could look to acquire Ellis in a sign-and-trade.↵↵So maybe nothing will come of it. Certainly, Walsh would have pull off some real front-office wizardry, which may or may not even be possible here. It’s too early for me to fire up ye olde Trade Machine. But if denizens of the league’s most dynamic team are looking to get in on the ground floor with the New Knicks, that has to count for something. Namely, between the exposure and D’Antoni, the Knicks are all of a sudden one of the most popular places to play in the NBA. Now, if only they could rid of all those undeserving slobs currently clogging up the roster.↵