“Even with LeBron and Amar’e, it’s not a ton around those guys,” Broussard says referring to Gallinari and Chandler.

The Knicks need a guard to not only help facilitate D’Antoni’s offense, but to help in showing free agents that the Knicks have some pieces in place.

According to the New York Times:

The Knicks have engaged in trade discussions with the Portland Trail Blazers in hopes of prying guard Rudy Fernandez, according to an N.B.A. executive.

In the past, Fernandez has voiced displeasure over his role with Portland. The Knicks are on the verge of a free agency they hope will vastly restock their team and have long been interested in Fernandez.

If the talks proceed, the Knicks will most likely part with Wilson Chandler or Toney Douglas.

With minimal trade pieces, seeing Chandler or Douglas being used in a trade would be hard.

I propose the Knicks trade Wilson Chandler and their 38th overall pick to the Blazers for Rudy Fernandez and the Blazer’s 22nd overall pick. Not sure if the Blazers are high enough on Chandler for that trade though.

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to interview Knicks center, and soon to be free agent, David Lee thanks to Tanqueray at the Kimberly Hotel in Manhattan. Tanqueray threw a party at the rooftop bar of the Kimberly Hotel and invited me to interview David and enjoy flowing gin.

I must say, he’s a down to earth guy. He spoke and joked with me for about five minutes before the interview and spoke with me more after the interview too. I didn’t care if I was wasting interview time chatting with him about things other than sports. How often am I going to have the chance to sit down with an athlete at a rooftop bar and just chat?

June 16, 2010 9:10 p.m. Interview Transcript:

Empire Sports Now: Have you spoken to Nate Robinson since the Finals started?

David: I haven’t. I texted with him during the last round. I’m really happy for him. I think that everybody on our team has played with him and knows what kind of guy he is. He’s very happy that he’s having the chance to pursue his dream right now.

Empire Sports Now: What kind of training and workouts have you been doing this summer?

David: I always take about a month off when the season is over. That’s just to let your body recuperate and relax, and kind of get away from the game for a little bit. Since then I’ve gotten back in the gym and I’ve just been working out hard with our coaches on the court and staying, more than anything, in cardio shape. I’ve been expanding my three-point range, so I’ve been shooting a lot of threes.

Empire Sports Now: Have you spoken to Gallo or Chandler this summer?

David: Wilson’s been in getting rehab because he had surgery, so he’s been in every single day. Gallo’s been over in Italy, but when he was here we spoke a little bit. I know some of our coaches went over there and he’s been working his butt off in Italy. Those guys both look like they’re pretty much on the right track right now.

Empire Sports Now: You’ve been working out at the Knicks’ facilities, have the Knicks discussed any contract plans with you?

David: You can’t have a whole lot of contact until July 1, but they told me what they’ve told everyone else. They’re going to go after LeBron and those guys, and that’s kind of their first plan of action. Quite frankly, that’s what they promised the media and fans, and everybody’s excited about the possibility of LeBron coming here. After that, they’re going to get around to the rest of the guys. Like it or dislike it, that’s their plan and you can’t blame them for that because LeBron’s obviously the first or second best player in the league.

Empire Sports Now: Tell me about your All-Star experience.

David: Really cool experience this year. Something I’ll never forget. Not only was it great to be in the All-Star game, but also to have it be in Dallas in that kind of venue with 118,000 people was something that even the guys that have been in 10 or 12 All-Star games were walking in like, “Oh my god, I’ve never seen anything like this before.” It was a really cool place to have my first All-Star game and hopefully it’s not my last.

Empire Sports Now: Have you talked to any of the other free agents about maybe joining up with them for free agency or is that not something you really do?

David: Not so much. Everybody’s asking if they’re going to have this summit or if they’re not, or who’s going to be involved. First of all, I don’t think anything like that would happen and second of all, for me at this point, I’ve worked very, very hard and it’s about finding the best situation for me, my family and girlfriend. From there, it’s a combination of being in a city that I enjoy and being on a team that has a chance to win. Obviously the financial side plays a part, but all of those things combined are more important than where other guys are going.

Empire Sports Now: Do you feel like it’s been hard to play for the Knicks because of all the turmoil in the organization during the five years you’ve been with the team? Do you feel like it’s affected the team on the court at all?

David: There’s been about 50 years of drama in a five year period between coaches, off the court stuff, and player changes, but I love it here in New York. I’ve loved my five years here. It’s a tough city not to win in. If I were to come back here, just as the Knicks would want to have the same thing happen if they had me back here, it needs to be in a situation where we’re going to win. That’s the commitment that they’re making right now by going after the top free agents. I think the Knicks are headed in the right direction. It’s no fun to lose here in any sport. Basketball, probably right behind the Yankees, is the second most unenjoyable sport to lose in here. New York is a wonderful place, the fans are great, and I’ve enjoyed my time here so far.

Empire Sports Now: Do you go to a lot of Yankee games?

David: I go to a couple each year. Actually, I’m going tomorrow night. I’ll be there against Philly. It’s amazing how much this city rallies around its sports. That’s what makes New York so special is the fans and their enthusiasm.

So it looks like the NBA Impending Free Agent Super Friends will have to stick to e-mails, texts or some sort of super secret social networking site known to only millionaire athletes instead of meeting for a summit to discuss their futures, as Dwyane Wade recently suggested.

Wade mentioned convening with fellow potential free agents like LeBron James, Amar’e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson and others to discuss their future plans. The location was never mentioned, but using my sources, I narrowed it down a pizzeria in Wyoming or the Batcave.

According to the New York Times’ Billy Witz, NBA Commissioner David Stern has been told there will be no such meeting of important men. Instead, Stern decided to crack a few jokes about the possibility of all the players meeting.

“I was wondering whether they would get together, eight players, and they’ll all look at D-Wade’s ring?” Stern said last night before game 1 of the NBA Finals, according to Witz. “They’d be better off watching these finals to see how you construct a team and how you play and the like.”

Somebody better tell Stern not to try and joke around like that with Kobe Bryant, though.

Of course, we can assume these guys will find ways to talk to each other heading into free agency. We can also assume that at least two of them will end up on the same team, whether it’s LeBron and Chris Bosh joining the same team, Wade returning to Miami with Bosh or Stoudemire or one of the Boshemire tandem teaming with Joe Johnson to create the ultimate panic move for one lucky franchise.

For the Knicks, the goal has obviously been LeBron all along, but thanks to some major dumping by Donnie Walsh last year (it was fun watching Tracy McGrady hobble around, wasn’t it?), the Knicks goal is now LeBron and… someone. As previously discussed, the Knicks can make a pretty big impact in  the potential craziness about to unfold.

They have the cap room to sign two max players. The Knicks have only a handful of guys still under contract for next year, so they’ll need to fill out a roster somehow, and starting off with two of the big name free agents would be a nice start. I guess we don’t know if Johnson will get a max contract, especially after a dismal playoffs, but we’ll assume he will because professional sports teams like giving up lots of money.

So even though all those guys aren’t going to meet, do we want them talking in some capacity about their plans? Speaking for the Knicks, definitely. I like Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari, and Toney Douglas provided some excitement in his rookie season, but playing alongside them probably isn’t going to entice one of the big name guys to come to New York. Also, those guys along with Eddy Curry are, I believe, the only four guys under contract next year so far. Curry’s expires after next season, so I’d expect him to get dealt at some point next year for anything. Some draft picks would be nice.

But that’s it. The Knicks sign LeBron and have a starting lineup, and not a terribly terrifying one at that. So let’s hope LeBron and Wade, LeBron and Stoudemire, Wade and Bosh, LeBron and Dirk, LeBron/Wade and anybody have unlimited nights and weekends, BlackBerry Messenger, messenger pigeons, whatever else and don’t stop talking until after their press conference to introduce the new cornerstones of the Knicks franchise.

Because if they all go their own ways, then, well let’s not think about that for now. We’ve got a little less than a month. Positive thoughts.

The 2009-2010 season has concluded for the Knicks and the franchise hopes to put a dark chapter of its history to rest. The next time the Knickerbockers take the court for a regular season game, the roster will look drastically different and hopefully the newly assembled roster will be able to break .500 and get into the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

The regular season may be over, but the most important season is about to begin; the off-season. This off-season is also known as the ‘summer of 2010′ and the ‘summer of LBJ’.

Donnie Walsh has put the Knicks into a position where they have the financial flexibility to sign two max contracts this summer. That was half the battle. The other half is to fill the cap space with top-tier talent. 

The book is officially closed on 2009-2010 and the Knicks weren’t able to break the 30-win mark (29-53). They have concluded their 9th consecutive losing season.

The team may have done better off the court this year by clearing cap space, but there were some good things that were done on the court. Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler both grew as players. Toney Douglas played well at both guard spots and should be a good supporting cast member in the future. Bill Walker broke out while seeing significant playing time for the first time in his career. David Lee put together impressive offensive numbers while playing out of his normal position.

But the regular season can be put behind us now as what may be the most important off-season in Knicks’ history has begun.

Newly acquired guard, Tracy McGrady, gets the nod at shooting guard tonight for the Knicks according to Newsday. McGrady has played in six games this season with the Houston Rockets and averaged 7:35 minutes and 3.2 points per game. 

McGrady is healthy and Mike D’Antoni sees no reason not to immediately insert him into the starting rotation.

Chris Duhon starts at point guard and Sergio Rodriguez will start on the bench behind him. 

Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and David Lee will most likely round out the starting five for tonight’s game against the Thunder. Alan Hahn of Newsday points out that at 6’10″, Gallinari is the Knicks tallest starter. By losing Jordan Hill and Jared Jeffries, the Knicks lose interior size on their roster.

Tracy McGrady is a New York Knick for the rest of this season. As for what the future holds for the seven-time All-Star beyond this season nobody knows. McGrady gave clues to reporters about his future.

“I’m going to tell you guys like this, I’m a guy, I’ve made a lot of money over my career,” McGrady said. “I can retire right now and I can be fine financially and my kids can be fine. Money is not an issue. So if these guys were to bring in a LeBron or D-Wade along with a Chris Bosh or a Stoudemire, I’d be a damn fool to not want to stay here. I’m just telling you right now I would definitely embrace the opportunity to be here. Money is not an issue.”

Tracy McGrady is the NBA’s highest paid player this season with a salary of $23 million.

“Don’t get me wrong, if I come back healthy and playing well, we’re going to do some negotiating,” McGrady added. “What I’m saying is, if LeBron comes, D-Wade comes and you pair [one of them] up with Stoudemire or Chris Bosh, I know I’m not going to get the big bucks. But, save a little for me.”

If the Knicks are able to sign two max deals this summer it won’t leave much money to spend elsewhere. Beyond the two max contracts, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and Toney Douglas, the rest of the roster will be filled with mostly minimum salary players. 

McGrady is at the point of his career where he just wants to win a title. McGrady’s words are refreshing and true. Why not take whatever salary the Knicks can give him and ride two max guys to a championship? 

The Knicks’ situation just got better if McGrady plays like his old self and wants to stay with the team beyond this season without making money an issue.

During the All-Star game, David Aldridge of TNT said there is a 50/50 chance the Knicks get Tracy Mcgrady before the February 18 trade deadline.

Without a third team, I don’t see the Knicks being able to acquire Tracy McGrady from the Rockets. Last week, the Knicks were rumored to be in discussions of a three-way trade for McGrady which included the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have since pulled off a seven-player trade with the Dallas Mavericks which puts an end to their involvments in trade talks with the Knicks and Rockets.

To get McGrady without involving a third team, the Knicks will have to give up a young player they value; Jordan Hill, Toney Douglas, Wilson Chandler or Danilo Gallinari. Of those players the only guys the Knicks would trade are Hill and Douglas, but reluctantly. To make the trade worthwhile, the Knicks will try to throw Jared Jeffries in the deal. That’s where the discussions end. I can’t see the Rocket entertaining the idea of taking on Jeffries’ contract.

The Knicks could try to work a trade of expiring contracts for McGrady. The Rockets and McGrady aren’t on good terms and the Rockets may want a player like Al Harrington to help them this season before his contracts expire. They could also deal Larry Hughes or Nate Robinson to the Rockets. The only thing is, being that the Rockets are on bad terms with McGrady, why would they do him a favor by trading him without getting a player of substantial value for him?

The best bet of a trade happening is if the Rockets accept expiring contracts or if another team gets involved and gives the Rockets someone of value. The Knicks won’t give up a player they are high on unless the Rockets take Jared Jeffries too and the possibility of them taking Jeffries is slim because they want to have cap space for free agency this summer just like the Knicks do.

If the Knicks desperately want McGrady, they’ll send a package of either Jordan Hill or Toney Douglas plus Al Harrington and possibly another expiring contract to Houston.

UPDATE: According to Yahoo! sports, the Knicks are discussing a possible three-team trade that would send Tracy McGrady to the Knicks. 

Weeks ago it didn’t seem as though the Knicks were going to pursue a trade for Tracy McGrady of the Rockets. One reporter even called a possible trade for T-Mac “Dead”. Now it seems as though the Knicks are rekindling the idea. 

On January 26th, Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote:

“Houston’s Tracy McGrady should be traded at the deadline and perhaps Chicago’s Tyrus Thomas, too. Both are squarely on Walsh’s radar. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey only has interest in a Knicks’ package if either rookie Jordan Hill or Chandler are part of it.”

One source thinks the Rockets would except a package around rookie Toney Douglas too. 

Hill, yes. Douglas, yes. Chandler, no. Wilson Chandler is a guy that could be a core part of the Knicks for years. We haven’t seen enough of Jordan Hill yet, but what we have seen hasn’t been impressive. Douglas has had some bright spots, but has been inconsistent. 

McGrady is set to become a free agent after this season. If the Rockets are willing to accept a package of Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries or Eddy Curry, plus an expiring contract, the Knicks should jump on it and run like they just stole something because it will be tough to persuade them into taking Jeffries or Curry  - tough and extremely unlikely. 

The most likely trade scenario is one of the players the Rockets allegedly want (Hill, Douglas or Chandler) plus expiring contracts.