December 15, 2007 -- Isiah Thomas sounds like a man desperate to make changes to his roster - and you can take Eddy Curry off the untouchable list.
Today is a key day in the NBA's trading climate. Contracts of first-round picks and free-agent summer signings are allowed to be dealt, including rookie Wilson Chandler's pact.
Thomas insinuated some guys on the club can't play in the manner he wants, and made his most damning remarks yet about Curry, pointing out his flaws and admitting Curry may not develop into a franchise center to build around.
It seems the time for the Knicks to reignite trade talks for Ron Artest, who can opt out after next season. With team morale at its lowest and one of the supposed team leaders, on-the-block Malik Rose, recently asking to be placed on the inactive list, Artest can't make the climate any worse. Rose dressed last night only because of Quentin Richardson's knee injury, but did not play.
Thomas said in the summer he wouldn't deal David Lee or Renaldo Balkman for Artest, but that may have changed.
Thomas' recent rips on Curry could be perceived as bracing fans for Curry's departure.
"I can say that, as always, if we can improve our team, we will," Thomas said yesterday, which usually is code phrase for saying the club is active in trade talks. And there's a growing sense more than just Rose wants out too.
Curry's trade value is in the pits. Would Isiah actually now offer him up for Artest?
Meanwhile, Stephon Marbury privately has worried if his Knick days are numbered after the Phoenix incident, when Thomas told him he could go home. The last three Knicks whom Thomas allowed to leave the team, Penny Hardaway, Shandon Anderson and Dikembe Mutombo, were soon sent packing.
Thomas also seems down on the Renaldo Balkman-Nate Robinson-Jared Jeffries bench trio.
"Those guys, you got to have energy to be effective," Thomas said. "Right now our so-called energy players, with the exception of David, they haven't been that effective. It's bad play."
Looks like Isiah is finally catching on. Looks like a big deal may go down today cause it definitely looked like he was showcasing Wilson Chandler'sabilities last night, and nt only gave him minutes down the stretch but it seemed like he drew up plays for him as well. i noticed that and figured maybeWilson had family at the game (casue hes from Chicago area and went to Depaul) and Isiah was fed up with his starters so he let Wilson shine, but this seems tobe the real reason. If Isiah could somehow land Artest here and trade Curry in the process i would go crazy. It looks like he would trade Balkman in it aswell, but if we got Artest why would we wven need Balkman. Artest=Balkman + offense - length and athleticism + an even better defender. Lets see if Isiah haany magic left. But at this point if he trades away ourdraft ick at 6-16 in ANY trade, off with his head
