K-Berg: Balkman on the outs?
Check out my man K-Berg's blog for more details and of course check the print edition in the morning. Nothing imminent, but Berger heard on Sunday about talks between the Knicks and Denver Nuggets that involve Renaldo Balkman going to the Rocky Mountains in exchange for guard Taurean Green and forward Bobby Jones.
Though Green is a young PG with potential as a floor general, it's been suggested to me by someone in the know that both Green and Jones would likely be waived. If the trade went through as is, the Knicks would wind up with 17 contracts, two over the limit. But both Green and Jones are on one-year, non-guaranteed contracts that are easily waived with no salary cap hit.
Balkman has just one year left on his rookie deal ($1,320,960) with a team option of $2,036,920 for 2009-10.
We discussed it during the summer league here and I guess it rings true: Balkman seems like the odd man out here in the new regime, especially with the emergence of Wilson Chandler and the arrival of Danilo Gallinari. Balkman is a tremendous athlete who can play a decent energy/defense role off the bench. But I don't believe he has the basketball IQ to be successful in D'Antoni's offense. It may seem like a lot of running and shooting, but there is a great deal of thinking, anticipation and reaction that has to be done in order for it to work properly. You could see just in some practices and summer league games that Balkman was having trouble grasping it.
From the July 17th Blog: "Farewell to Vegas..."
His energy and athleticism are valuable assets, but Balkman might actually struggle in the D'Antoni philosophy because of one skill he hasn't yet developed: thinking the game. Renaldo is one of my favorite characters on this team -- you all know his Aw man, crazy is an all-time best quote -- but I've documented here before my concerns about his focus and mental approach to being an NBA player. Rey is a terrific athlete and clearly keeps himself in outstanding shape, which is a credit to his work ethic. But after spending the past few days watching Phil Weber install a few offensive sets that will be the foundation of what the Knicks do this season, it's quite apparent that if you can't think quickly, adjust on the fly and read what's happening on the floor, you're going to struggle here.
Again, the deal isn't done and it sounds like Donnie is involved in a lot of different discussions. This is one of a few, but one that makes sense.
It's essentially a way to dump Balkman's salary and cut the roster back down to the maximum 15 contracts after the signing of Anthony Roberson. Obviously there are bigger fish to fry when it comes to getting closer to cap compliance. As I said to a person I chatted with tonight who has some intimate knowledge of this potential trade, this kind of deal is very much nickel-and-dime compared to what really needs to get done.
He replied, "Maybe, but on the upside, it's something."
Yes. The hundred million dollar journey begins with one step.
Remember...check out K-Berg's NBA Blog for more info. And as always, stay tuned...
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Comments (18)
As you said, it's not the biggest and best move but it's a move none the less. We are in the middle of a transformation and we all just have to be patient, wait and see.
Nobody here predicted this would be the first move to dump salary, so that goes to show you that nobody here knows Walsh's plan except Walsh and a chosen few.
Let's take it slow and make sure we get this right.
I'll miss Balkman but if he doesn't fit....I guess he has to go.
Who cares if they trade Balkmen
they got much bigger and fatter fish to fry!
what about that lazy frontline that includes
Zach and Curry?
what about "big snacks"?
what about starbury?
geez...i don't even know if that qualifies as a story
if that is all walsh has got
it is going to be a long 08 season
walsh go out there and get us a shotblocker!
do something significant!
do a sign and trade for josh smith!
or a sign and trade for emeka okafor!
until then i am not impressed
Odd. I always thought the scouting report on Balkman was that he was a very natural BBall player, with a very high bball IQ... and that his downfall was merely his inability (or lack of confidence) to take and make medium range jumpers.
With the emergence of Wilson Chandler and the addition of Gallo, certainly we have a glut at SF...
this seems like a bad move to me....it doesn't make sense to give Balkman away for nothing; he's better than that. At least Walsh could use him in a package with a bigger salary and get some knid of value in return.
This is no better than dumping Zach for a 2nd rounder...
With Lee, Roberson and now perhaps Green in the fold, who's next for Donnie? Matt Walsh, Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Corey Brewer to reunite the Florida Gators championship squads? :-)
I'll skip pass Makunat,the Starburman passed gas posting here and say
that hanging Balkman out to dry is a bad idea. Green may have been a good idea if we didn't sign Duhon, but didn't Balkman lead this team in blocks? Balkman may be our best defender in transition and can board. Isn't this the same NIT MVP that we took with our late #1 beccause D'Antoni wanted him that year? I hope this is a smoke screen, because James and Rose should be the first to go along with Marbury.
Bottom line with Balkman is he can impact the game.
How many times did we see him pull down a board in traffic and dribble up court? Besides Nate & Lee, who else on this team has demonstrated they can actually run and fill lanes on a fast break?
Anyone remember his defense on Yao? Better than Curry's!
He might not be the savviest ball player. But I think its a bit soon to throw him under the bus after 1 summer league. I mean Gallo played only one half, but what's leading anyone to believe he can become anything?
And as far as being stocked up front, I honestly see D'Antoni playing Chandler at the four & Lee at the five - that leaves some time for Balkman.
If they make the trade and buy out the players. The signs clearly point to the Knicks going into training camp with Marbury and Zach. This maybe the best possible scenerio being that both players need to increase their value and the only way to do that is to play ball.
Also Zach is the player most suited for this system. He can post up when plays break down and the job of the 4 is to fill the lane on the break and be able to hit the 15 footer. Zach has great range and once again (he had more assist then Lee and player in 15 fewer games).
Balkman should do good playing D and letting Iverson and Melo take the shots. Good kid but I don't want him to sit on the bench either. I wish him well and hope Chandler does his thing this year.
I can't front....Balkman is a nice hustle player, but these two young guys Jones & Green have HIGH basketball IQ's....Green has a that Rod Strickland with smarts look to his game and Bobby (Raja Bell) Jones is touted as a solid defender who plays smart...I dont know if i'd waive either guy..
Sounds to me like Donnie is going to clean house, 1 way or another.....
Jerome, Mardy, Zach & Stephon are goners!
From what we are hearing from Mr. Berger, it would seem Green and Jones will be leaving before they arrive. I like Green alot as a college player and was impressed with his tournament play. If we could get his moxie in Mardy's body with Roberson's shooting touch, we'd have something. I was disappointed that he hasn't translated his game to the NBA. I hope Walsh can find a way to keep the kid around and let D'Antoni work his magic on him. We need warriors, guys that will look to impose their will on a game, who will sell out on D and not be afraid to fail.
I will be sorry to see Balkman go. I would have liked to have seen him in a real system, I guess he will not have the time to figure it out. This is the reality of where this team is - "Potential" time is over with this current crew.
I'd be sad to see Balkman go. He might not have the b-ball IQ for D'Antoni's offense, but he hustles on D more than anyone. At the very least, he could be a guy to get steals and rebounds and throw the outlet pass to start the break.
And if you are going to get rid of him, I think you can do more with him then essentially waive him.
Makes zero sense to me to cut a defensive stud that can hustle and rebound's salary for two mops out of everyone we need to get rid of... You always need a Balkman at some point in the season, and he's not even a huge salary
I dont get it, maybe its a sign they are going to ink David Lee up long term and see him getting much more major minutes along with Zach, Gallo, Chandler and Q-Rich.. even Jefferies smh
big mistake in my opinion, if Phx had a Balkman the past couple of years, things in the west might have turned out a bit different, its rare to see a guy come in and influence the game like he can without demanding the ball on offense... that "doesnt fit in Mike's system///b-ball IQ stuff" is for the birds
If Walsh is doing this to get down to 15, well that is a bad sign - because it represents that we have no moves on the forefront that may cause that number to rise or fall.
Walsh cannot possibly want to start the season with Marbury/Curry/Randolph on the squad can he? If we make a trade later in the off-season and are down to 14 spots, will he regret getting rid of a guy who was on a small contract?
Filler:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/rookies/rankings
This guy has Gallinari at number 8 out of 50.
We are talking about Renaldo Balkman here guys. Chill out. I'll defend Donnie on this one b/c we have too many SFs, bringing in another pass-first PG is a good idea to compete in training camp and push Mardy and Roberson. I don't think Balkman is a good fit for this team. He is not a good one on one defender, can't hit a J, and runs around aimlessely. While Peace is right that he can block shots, it usually comes when he cheats and is not playing in the defensive set and gets a block by wandering. He gets beat backdoor just as much as he gets a block. I think he has great energy though and appears to be a good teamate so hopefully Nene and Kmart can make up for his mistakes.
I've been away so on Marburry I'll say he is easily the most talented Knick, no question in my mind. However, he's old, been riddled with injuries lately, and we need someone to build this team around. He is not it so why keep him. Let him go and lets move on. Can't compare him to TO and Moss because those guys were the top 3 at their position. Marburry at his best is what, top 15 now? I can't see where we trade him to w/o taking on a K for over two years.
As much as I did watchin' Taz, I think this is a trade that benefits the Knicks.
We have a serious glut at the "3" spot, and that should help alleviate some of the traffic there
I don't agree with the "low b-ball IQ" remark, however.
Are Zach and Curry b-ball scholars? How about Steph? I heard everywhere he went, they had to dumify, oops, simplify the playbook.
Hey, that's what I heard...I didn't make that up.....:)
Seriously, Taurean Green is a kid who never really got an opportunity in Portland, and as a minimum will push Steph and Duhon in camp, and at best could possibly compete for a starting position. This is a kid who ran the attack for a two-time college championship squad!!!! Once, maybe it's a fluke....but twice?? Maybe our fortunes are starting to turn, or as they say on the court, maybe we're finally getting some friendly bounces. He could be our diamond in the rough.
As previously mentioned, he's got that Rod Strickland poise and cool demeanor about him that you love to see in your pg, and Bobby Jones will make you forget about Taz...trust that.
Pull the trigger!!
I agree, Balkman does not have NBA smarts. He makes too many mistakes and does not seem to improve, and he can't shoot. His hustle is great but play is erratic....can't rely on him.
DTR