Would much rather sign Devin Ebanks to a contract. Nice looking young player who can really score the ball. 6'8" 220 legit SF. Currently ranked as the #1 prospect in the D-league at the moment. How 'bout this kid as Melo's backup?
Man I tell ya -- I know I sound like a broken record and I know it's unorthodox but if I were at the helm here, I'd dump half of this roster right now and reload with as many young FAs that were willing to accept minimum deals as possible. Focus on these standout D-League players, of which there are many. That's our best play right now -- this team is stale as all get out -- try to come up with solid cheap talent that might be worth carrying over into next year and beyond.
Beno & K-Mart -- outta here. Trade or buy out Pablo & MWP too...Sit Dolan down and explain to him that buyouts for players like Pablo and MWP should be conducted for the greater good. Make him understand this. None of these guys can help us win now or are part of an inevitable rebuild. So WTF is the point in keeping any of these players?? Continue with the Melo, Chandler, Amar'e core for the time being with the idea that ALL of these guys are on the block, ready to go to the highest bidder. JR & Bargs too...If there's no current market for any of these guys, work like heck to develop one! In the meantime, play Aldrich and Murry (and if the plan isn't to play these guys at this level, send them to Erie to develop, showcase and build value). I'd prefer they start play bigger mins at the NBA level -- really find out what we have here with these 2 already...Continue developing THJ. Continue playing Shumpert (hopefully he snaps out of it and if anything builds his value back up -- this will not be accomplished by a demotion to the DL imo -- first off, this is obviously a sensitive kid that won't embrace or accept a move like that; second, if he plays poorly in the DL, it's a wrap -- that'll be a hole he'll never dig himself out of. Then we'll be left with nothing).
We just cut Chris Smith finally, thank God. Now suppose we continue cleaning house and subtracted Beno, K-Mart, Pablo and MWP -- I know they'd probably want to keep these guys around as potential low-salary components to include in trades but consider the better alternative -- jettisoning these guys and bringing in some exciting young talent for evaluation:
Melo
Chandler
Stoudemire
JR Smith
Bargnani
Felton
Shumpert
----------------------
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Jeremy Tyler
Cole Aldrich (maybe cut Aldrich if he's not showing anything in practice and consider SIGNING C Dewayne Dedmon to a 10-day contract)
Toure Murry
SIGN SF Devin Ebanks to a 10-day contract
SIGN PG Kalin Lucas to a 10-day contract
SIGN PF Richard Howell to a 10-day contract
SIGN SG/SF DeQuan Jones to a 10-day contract
Continue with the vet players above the line though all are on the block and available in the right scenario (expiring contracts, picks and/or young salary-controlled players in return ONLY). PLAY & DEVELOP players below the line. See if we could uncover a keeper or 2 here, maybe more. This is a lost year. No chemistry, no excitement, no winning, no NOTHING! Doubtful it suddenly turns around now for the better. Start the rebuilding process right now. This is honestly how I think we should approach it starting today -- something like this.
