Donnie Walsh, Tracy McGrady

Most headlines read "Knicks Accquire Tracy McGrady," but what they should read is "Knicks Clear an Additional $9.5 Million in Cap Space for 2010."

What a day. One of the most influential days in Knicks history might not be July 1st, 2010 anymore, it may now have turned to February 18th, 2010, the day the Knicks cleared enough cap room to sign two max players.

Yes LeBron got a new running mate in Jamison, but really, this will not sway his decision. No wonder Amare somewhat-publicly stated that he did not want to go to Cleveland. I mean, who in their right mind would not want to go play with LeBron James become the key piece to winning a championship- perhaps he had some information...

As Marc Berman put it: "Donnie Walsh is “all in” for this summer.

Walsh opened up another $9.3 million of salary-cap space — giving the Knicks a projected total of $32 million to play with — in acquiring former superstar Tracy McGrady and Kings backup point guard Sergio Rodriguez yesterday in a three-team blockbuster with the Rockets and Kings."

Mike Vaccaro writes:
"Though he never said as much, Walsh had a three-step plan to getting the Knicks where they needed to be in time for his third year on the job:

1. Blow up the foundation. This was done by jettisoning Isiah once and forever, by hiring D’Antoni, and by serving early notice that two full seasons would be set aside to sacrifice for what was necessary.

2. Clear out the decks. In other words, do precisely what he did yesterday. Make sure every nickel is available by the stroke of midnight July 1.

3. Sign two max-contract players. Which really means this: Get LeBron James’ name on a contract, and a sidekick to be named later.

And that, of course, is the part that, starting at 12:01:01 on July 1, will make what happened this week seem like a vacation. It is a very clear, crystal thing to be a Knicks fan now. Forget this year. Forget the draft, because there’s no first-round pick this year and there may be none in 2011 or 2012, too, after yesterday’s transactions.

Focus on one thing.

Focus on July 1, 2010. The day the Knicks are either reborn or given a blindfold, a cigarette, and a shove into the abyss."

Oh and a side note- he was able to move nuisance Nate Robinson to Boston, perhaps disrupting the chemistry in Boston for a second time (see Marbury 2009).

The countdown continues... 131 Days.

If Donnie Walsh is able to pull the trigger on this move, he becomes Isiah, but in a good way (if that is even possible?).

The Isiah era has scarred us all so badly; it made the team we know and love just putrid over the past few years while also hurting our future. Right now we would be looking at this "lost" 19-32 season saying we possibly have a long-shot at Wall, but instead, Utah does. Unfortunately, Isiah believed so much in his moves, he assumed that 2011 pick would be in the 20s - or at least late teens. Never in his mind did he think we could be lottery bound again. If that was the case, it wouldn't be the worst thing to lose it.

What Donnie is doing if he does give up the 2012 pick is the same type of strategy. He is saying that in 2010 we will pick up at least one proven all-star caliber player, and in 2011, we will pick up one more when Curry comes off the books. If this trade goes down, Donnie is saying that there is no chance that the Knicks are not a playoff team in 2011. If you look at it that way, you shouldn't mind making the move and getting rid of the #20-30 pick two years from now to make this deal work and allow us to sign two max players, or at least one max and some great role players.

Yes, we should keep the picks if it is at all possible, but if they're a deal breaker, then you have to include them and get the trade done. Walsh's plan is not based on Marbury, Crawford, Curry or ZBo, its based on any of the many established all-star team players that will be available in the next two years.

Donnie is the smart version of Isiah and all of us Knicks fans need to put 100% faith that he knows what he's doing.