Isiah trying to pry Wally from Wolves
MIAMI - Isiah Thomas has never been one to wait for trades to fall into his lap. And with a three-game losing streak and a small cloud of turmoil hovering over his team, the Knicks' president is prepared to make a deal if only he can find the right partner.
The Knicks' recent slide is nothing compared to what is going on with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that came into the year regarded as a title contender. The Knicks and Timberwolves have had recent talks, and the Knicks would still be willing to trade Kurt Thomas for Wally Szczerbiak. Minnesota remains reluctant to pull the trigger, probably because Szczerbiak has been the team's second-best player behind Kevin Garnett. The teams have been trying to get Toronto involved as a third club in a deal for Szczerbiak.
If the Knicks acquired Szczerbiak, they likely would have to make another deal for a power forward, unless they are confident that Michael Sweetney and Vin Baker are suitable replacements for Kurt Thomas, who is averaging 11.3 points and 10 rebounds and is the team's best low-post defender.
Thomas and Stephon Marbury would appear to be the perfect fit, since they both excel at playing the pick-and-roll. But even though the two-man game seems to be the Knicks' best weapon, they don't seem to play it enough. The Knicks called Thomas' number often against Miami Wednesday night and he responded by knocking down 11 of 15 shots and scoring 23 points.
After the Knicks defeated New Orleans last month, Hornets power forward P.J. Brown remarked that Thomas and Nazr Mohammed "don't get enough touches."
A team with Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Allan Houston and Szczerbiak would mean that the big men might only see the ball in warmups. Kurt Thomas has value but the Knicks have to be concerned about sacrificing offense for defense.
Another name that has surfaced is Toronto's Donyell Marshall, who can play either forward position. To get Marshall, the Knicks may have to be willing to take back Jalen Rose's contract. Thomas was the only general manager ready to accept Rose and all his baggage if it meant getting Vince Carter, who ended up with the Nets. It's unclear if Thomas would agree to a similar deal just to acquire Marshall.
People close to Isiah Thomas say he has no illusions that his team is championship material quite yet and that his big move will come in the summer, when Tim Thomas and Penny Hardaway will be entering the final year of their respective contracts. Those contracts will be appealing to teams looking to trade a player with a long-term deal.
Frank Isola
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/268903p-230281c.html
