Empty the Bench

The $500,000 question though is, of course, whether the main man for the New York Knicks has enough ammunition in his backpocket to actually make good on all these priorities being bandied about. An offer of “my whole team for (fill in the blank)” doesn’t count, Isiah.

Rumors have already flied in the wake of the Detroit Pistons’ playoff collapse that Rasheed Wallace might be available for the right price, and that the Knicks are one team that could be interested. ‘Sheed in New York certainly sounds like a natural fit, and we’d likely be treated to some of the best Sheedisms if he were put through the incessant pre- and post-game grillings over and over again by the NY media. The asking price would likely start with David Lee, and I’m not sure even Isiah is thick enough to okay that one.

Outside of Wallace, however, it’s no secret that Zeke’s ultimate fantasy–outside of a nude performance by the Knicks City Dancers on opening night–centers around landing a big-name superstar a la Kobe Bryant or Rashard Lewis (and, to a much lesser extent, Jermaine O’Neal). In today’s NY Post, Marc Berman has more on Thomas’ quest to bring respectability a big-ticket name back to the Garden:

Though Thomas did not name them, he noted prominent players such as Kobe Bryant and Jermaine O’Neal have asked for trades – and promised he’d be active in attempting to acquire them. “It’s safe to say we’re active on the phones, trying to improve our team, whatever ways we can,” Thomas said yesterday after a Garden news conference to announce next season’s preseason game vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv.

“Our goal one day is to put together a team capable of competing and winning a championship. There are players who are still out there who publicly said they want to be traded. I’m hoping.”

Thomas has not approached the Lakers yet with a firm offer, though he admitted at Orlando’s pre-draft camp he concocted a series of tentative offers. Sources say the Knicks would be atop Bryant’s and O’Neal’s wish lists. Bryant has a no-trade clause and can nix any deal. Seattle free agent Rashard Lewis is another top priority for the Knicks in a sign-and-trade July 1. Thomas has said he did not want to use his $5 million mid-level exception.

Funny, Lewis probably also said that he had no interest in a mid-level exception contract, either. And that line about how Thomas confessed to coming up with some possible trade offers for the Lakers, Pacers, and/or Sonics? There’s something amazing about imagining Zeke waking up early on a Tuesday morning, brewing some coffee, sitting down at his desktop, and going apeshit with ESPN’s Trade Machine. We can picture it now:

“Okay, okay, let’s see: Jerome James… Stephon Marrrrrrrrbury for Kobe.” Click. “Damn it! Trade failed. What bullshit. This salary stuff is stupid. Remember to write a letter to Stern about stupid salary rules. Zeke, write it down, you’ll forget. Okay.”

“Okay, that doesn’t work Zeke, that… doesn’t… work. Think. Think! Okay: Stevie Francis and… um… Channing Frye! Perfect, they need a big man. For Kobe.” Click. “That’s a winner! Get your groove on, Isiah, get your groove on my man. They need a point and a big man, we need a Kobe. Perfect. Perfect. Don’t forget to write this one down, Zeke.

“Wait, wait: you need another one my man. What else do you got Zeke? Think. Ooooh, this one’s good: Jerome, Steph, Stevie, and Channing. Check. Forrrr…. Kobe, Lamar Ooodom, andddddd Bynum. Yeah, that should work.” Click. “Isiah, you’ve done it again. You deserve another cup of coffee my man–with THREE lumps of sugar. Don’t forget to write it down.”