Warriors F Al Harrington has been traded to the New York Knicks for G Jamal Crawford.
This trade clearly helps the Warriors a lot more than the lousy Knicks.
Jamal Crawford is currently leading the league in three-pointers this season and has fit extremely well into D'Antoni's offensive system. He is playing just like the Phoenix Suns did last year.
Crawford will now play alongside Monta Ellis (when he returns from injury), Corey Maggette, Andris Biedrins, Stephen Jackson, and Anthony Morrow. As of right now, I can see Crawford starting at the point guard position and running the team like he did in Chicago.
The Knicks are digging themselves into a deeper hole with Harrington's contract. They will have to pay him $9.2 million just this season and another $10 million next season, with his contract expiring in the 09-10 season. What is the point of this trade?
Breakdown
The Warriors have a fast-paced, three-point shooting team with solid defense. Stephen Jackson is the captain of the team and a key to their success as he teaches his team how to win games and make it to the playoffs. Biedrins is having a career season, averaging a league-high 14.3 rebounds per game (more than Dwight Howard).
Anthony Morrow has started in two games this season and has scored a combined 62 points in both games. Maggette, who recently returned from injury, is starting to play his game in Golden State, and you can expect the Warriors to make a nice run for the playoffs this season!
Overview
The Knicks gave away their best offensive weapon for a power forward with a big price tag that expires in two seasons. They already have Zach Randolph and David Lee playing the power forward position, and I believe this is just another trade that the Knicks will regret in the seasons to come.
comments (56) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
How do you still call them teh "lousy Knicks"?? You clearly don;t know what you are talking about for a number of reasons. First of all, they've had a pretty good start to an new era for the team and this new season, so maybe you should give them some credit. sEcondly, teh trade makes sense because Harringtons contract will expire after teh 2009-2010 season, therefore clearing cap space to pursue the big time free against projected to be available in the summer of 2010. Thirdly, this trade may be prelude and set up to another trade--possibly of Zack Randolph, which will clear even more space to pursue big free agents in 2010. So, it is sad to see Jamal go, and teh trade may not make sense in teh short term, but Walsh and D'Antoni didn;t come here to make sure the Knicks squeeze into an 8th or 7th playoff spot in 2008-2009--they came here to build a championship organization, and to do that you sometimes have to sacrafice guys like Jamal Crawford and make tough decisions, rather than just appeasing some impatient NY fans
from about 1 month ago
The Knicks are lousy. The 6-5 start is a fluke.
from about 1 month ago
Yea it is, I totally agree with you Steven. The knicks are nothing right now.
about 1 month ago
sorry for the typos, by the way
about 1 month ago
Ok first of all, don't insult somebody for writing an article. Everybody has freedom of speech and can express their opinions anyway they want. The Knicks are in a whole. They have a crappy team and they aren't going anywhere for at least 2 years. They don't need a guy like Al Harrington. Crawford fit in well with D'Antoni and now they lost him. He is leading the league in 3's...big loss...sorry paul your team is garbage.
from about 1 month ago
Your a hippocrit,
You criticize the Knicks yet can't take criticism yourself. Dont' write if you can only dish it out and can't take it.
The Knicks have primed themselves for 2010. Lebron, Amare, Melo, Bosh, Wade. A lot of guys to be had even if they don't get Lebron.
from about 1 month ago
They are in a HOLE not "whole"....sorry, i had to do this after i saw it twice. My spelling and grammar sucks too.
about 1 month ago
The Knicks are 6-5 this season and have shown flashes of vast improvement. They also played the Celtics tight for 90% of the game. It's clear that Mike D'Antoni has done a great job molding the team in his image. I think the trade makes sense for both squads.
Although I think Monta Ellis will run the point when he is back, Crawford will be a nice addition. As you mentioned, he is a versatile scorer, high tempo player and can run a little point.
But, Harrington is a solid fit for the Knicks as well. First and foremost, the Knicks President Donnie Walsh is a major fan of the kid and drafted him several years ago. Secondly, the athletic and rangy Harrington is a good fit for the fast paced, break neck speed D'Antoni likes to run. But, more importantly, its a very purposeful cap related move. It clears cap space in the coming seasons and could be a precursor to a potential Zack Randolph trade (although he has been playing very solid this season) as Paul mentioned above.
Overall, I think the trade made sense for both franchises and that the Knicks are not only rebuilding effectively, but preparing for a major free agent spending spree in the next two seasons. You are right to say that Crawford was a great fit in the system but this is a strategic move on the Knicks part.
from about 1 month ago
I agree with the fact that Walsh has liked him and wants him on his team. But I don't see him doing well for them.
about 1 month ago
Yeah, I'm with Paul, you obviously have no clue what you're talking about. Just the fact that Jamal's contract has two years left after this one and Harrington's only has one is huge. That $10 million being saved. Second, they are trying to, for the first time in about 10 years, go under the salary cap so they can sign a free agent without being resigned to the mid-level exception. I think it's a great trade. It gives more time to up and comers like Wilson Chandler and gives a shot at Lebron.
Also, Brandon, if someone has the right to say what they want, that means aomeone else has the right to respond. freedom of speech works both ways. Sorry, Brandon, you're garbage.
about 1 month ago
Alright buddy, I love the trash talk. Just because you hear that Lebron might come to the Knicks doesn't necessarily mean it is going to happen. The trade is better for the Warriors because they are acquiring a better player for one they are giving away. Better deal for warriors.
from about 1 month ago
We can only guess. The team record will settle it in a few months. I'll tell you what though, as a Knicks fan, the prospect of actually being under the cap in 2010 is amazing. Last time we were under the cap, we had a guy named Ewing on our time. Sadly, Glenn Rice and Luc Longley weren't the answer. We'll see what Warriors fans are saying when Jamal misses three ridiculous shots when the games on the line.
from about 1 month ago
Stop this is beyond silly. Forget Lebron for a second. The Knicks have a chance to get a plethora of stars in the upcoming 2009-10 such as Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. The Knicks are doing what they should have done 8 years ago. They are rebuilding and they will be able to compete with the NBA elite in two years. Right now, they can probably squeeze into the playoffs if there lucky, but they would have had a better chance with Crawford and Randolph. Plus, Al Harrington, Tim Thomas, and Cuttino Mobley fit into the style of play the Knicks want right now.
about 1 month ago
Hey garlic, who says I cant take criticism? Obviously the Knicks had a reason to give away the best player on their team. I am just on the Warriors side on this one.
about 1 month ago
Brandon, You're right. They don't need a guy like Al Harrington. That's why he'll be gone in 2010, and now that Crawford is gone, that's an extra 10.3 million in free cap space for that summer. It was clearly a financial move. And by the way, Crawford isn't the only Knick that can shoot 3's. The Knicks as a team lead the league in 3's made. You think Crawford is the only one shooting them? He isn't even the team's leading scorer. That would be Zach Randolph.
This trade proves that Walsh is sticking to his 2010 plan, and every Knick fan knows that. Whatever happens between now and then is a bonus.
about 1 month ago
Your right Steve. But Crawford does lead the league in 3 pointers made. He was a big part of the team and now he is gone. They are clearly doing this to free cap space. I like the transaction, but I favor the advantage to the Warriors.
about 1 month ago
Brandon, it's not just all about getting Lebron. Bosh and Wade are also free agents that year, and the Knicks would be ridiculous to not try to get under the cap to pursue them. If you are shortsighted in the NBA, you can really get yourself into trouble--like the Knicks had done in the Isaiah Thomas era--acquiring all sorts of awful contracts simply to get into the playoffs and probably lose. Also, in the NBA, with its salary cap, trades are made for more reasons than just who is getting the better player--so while I agree that Crawford is the hotter commodity right now, the possibility(good possibility) that he would exercise the option on his contract was a problem for the Knicks, and reason enough, in terms of Walsh's plans for the team, to pull the trigger on this trade. Anyway, the point is that things are not as simple as you make them out to be.
Also, the fact that you are still using the retarded "lousy Knicks", "let's bash the Knicks" rhetoric from last season, seriously calls into question your cedibility to comment on any of this, because the Knicks are an exciting and much improved team. Maybe you should be paying better attention if you don't want people to bash your articles.
about 1 month ago
i dont understand why u call the knicks lousy...when they have a better record than the warriors...and are sorta on the rise right now after what happened the last couple of seasons...
about 1 month ago
The Knicks are improved, no denying they aren't a basement team (so far at least), but i think its a shame that Crawford is moving on, he has been a rare source of hope in NYC for the last few seasons and the Knicks have been promising, this may well muck up the new chemistry they have acquired. Besides, if it becomes a situation where every player is scared of getting traded, well ladies and gentlemen i give you the 07-08 Chicago Bulls
about 1 month ago
"The Knicks are digging themselves into a deeper whole with Harrington's contract. They will have to pay him $9.2 million just this season and another $10 million next season, with his contract expiring in the 09-10 season. What is the point of this trade?"
REBUTTAL: Since Jamal is sure to exercise his opt-out, that makes his contract longer than Harrington's. There is a clear financial advantage to the transaction; they are not digging themselves into a deeper "whole".
"Jamal Crawford is currently leading the league in three-pointers this season and has fit extremely well into D'Antoni's offensive system. He is playing just like the Phoenix Suns did last year."
REBUTTAL: Jamal has shot 45% on 3's this year. Way above his career numbers (35%). Also, how can you compare one player to an entire team??
Also, in the interests of objectivity, you might have mentioned that Crawford is possibly the worst defender in the entire league, and that he has never demonstrated the court vision, talent, or desire to be a starting PG in the league.
No offense to Crawford, I actually like the guy, but this article was one-sided and shallow.
from about 1 month ago
Lmao....keep on hating.
about 1 month ago
Crawford is definitely playing the better basketball right now. But Harrington has the capability to average 18 ppg 5 reb 3ast. Those were close to his numbers when he was in Atlanta. The big difference is that while in Atlanta, he was the go to guy until Joe Johnson arrived. he played the big minutes; he took the big shots. He also hasn't had a roll like that since. It didn't work out when he went back to the Pacers and he was a supporting character at best with the Warriors. He's a defensive liability. Maybe New York will be a much better fit for him.
But the Knicks are looking to the future. That free agent class of 2010 is quite the doozy. The Knicks have spent the better part of the decade with no cap space. So you better believe that they are looking to get in on the action. Bosh, Wade, Lebron. By then, Harringtons contract should be off the books, allowing the Knicks to go after one or maybe even two of the superstars that will be available.
Crawford will do just fine with Golden State. He's a very streaky shooter. Sure, he's knocking down the three's now. Talk to me in a couple of weeks when he's gone cold. He's been like that for most of his career.
Sounds like a pretty even swap to me. Advantage- Knicks for thinking ahead for a change.
about 1 month ago
I said this over the summer, Crawford will opt out of his contract this summer unless he has a horrible or injuried hit season. That would have put the knicks in a position to pay out more $$ away from their cap.
My problem with the trade is the gave away a highly valued player for a guy who GS was trying to give away. I don't think most people viewed Jamal as a tradeable guy, which would mean they would have offered more. I like Baby Al, but technically, the Knicks don't plan on keeping him after the summer of 2010, so his value is low.
I expected contenders to have offered more for Jamal and his instant offense come the trade deadline.
I feel similarly about the Zach trade, but since that contract was so much more of a problem, I guess the Knicks can be happy with that. Mobely comes in and plays some 2, Thomas does not enter the rotation I hope.
That said, now do the Knicks cut one of these guys so they can pick up Patrick Ewing Jr. and build for more of the future? Let Thomas Go!! OR JJames)
An interesting day for the Knicks.
Big issue, did the knicks just strip off so much talent that they will be undesirable in the future. Will Chandler, Nate, and Duhon, (I don't think I can even mention Galinari) enough to attract LBJ?
Second, do the Knicks end up in the cellar this year after this move and get a high lottery pick to help build around.
Third, does this mean the Knicks offer a big extension to lee. Lee now likely starts at the 5 till Curry is healthy. I think Lee has shown that he is truely an excellent bench guy, and it worth say 6-7 mill a year. will the knicks give, and will he accept it.
Nate's extension will also be a problem b/c he deserves it!
Was their any way the Knicks could have gotten Eric Gordon from the Clippers in this deal? Would love that!
about 1 month ago
Everybody has their own opinions. I personally believe the Warriors got the better offer and that is that
from about 1 month ago
yea the warriors got the better end of the deal in the short term, but in the future this trade heavily favors the knicks. eventually the warriors are gonna run out of balls for all their players. Jackson, Ellis, Maggette, Crawford, and even now Morrow are all deserving of the majority of shots and eventually its gonna backfire on them.
about 1 month ago
Lineup
So Will we see Jerome James this week???
Do we Get : Lee, Chandler, Harrington, Q, and Duhon with Nate, Mobley, Rose off the bench. Jefferies gets a role when he returns, possible as the starting 5 if he earns it and lee moves back to the bench.
I see Lee being pretty effective as a 5 if 2 scorers are at the 3 and 4 like Al and Wilson
Maybe you start small with Mobley and Q at the 2/3, and bring Al off the bench to make sure you have good depth?
Does Marbury play now??? Or can Coach D claim that the minutes should go to Mobley and Q? Interesting?
I wonder how quick Curry's Knee suddenly starts feeling better! This is a great opportunity for him to completely win his job back and at least start, though Coach D will never dump the ball into him everytime.
This is very interesting.
from about 1 month ago
who is Al? and Curry is a dud...he gets injured too much to be relied upon.
about 1 month ago
I disagree with your assessment of the trade.
First off, this doesn't put the Knicks in a further hole. This will free them up in time for 2010 as a few have already mentioned.
I feel Harrington is going to be able to be incorporated into NY's system easier than Crawford will be in GS. For now, I guess Crawford will play PG until Ellis returns.
I think this works out better for NY in the long term and the only thing horrible about the team right now is the Marbury situation. The Knicks are heading in the right direction
from about 1 month ago
How will Crawford not be incorporated easier into the GS lineup??? He will start, its as simple as that. He is a fantastic player that can shoot and pass the ball. If you don't remember, he started his career in Chicago, where he played point-guard and blossomed! He can easily turn into that player again, and on top of it..dominate the three point line! How can the Warriors refuse! great deal for them.
from about 1 month ago
the reason why it may take crawford more time to get into his role in GS is because its been what? 3 or 4 years since he's played point guard? and another thing, don nelsons lineups are ever changing and there will be nights where crawford plays 40 minutes and then 25 the next.
from about 1 month ago
Scott, Crawford is a great player, he will play more than 25 minutes per game...even though Nelson is known for shuffling his lineups periodically, Crawford will still produce and be an effective player for their squad.
from about 1 month ago
very true Scott on your point of Nellie's coaching style. We'll have to wait and see but I'm sticking by my guns here.
about 1 month ago
Warriors got a guy who will help them a ton this year, and may opt out this offseason, so they did OK. Knicks did too cause Al will fit in well.
So everyone thinks LBJ will be the Knicks pursuit, and right now it seems that the offer will be printed and ready starting tomorrow. But Amare will be a free agent that same offseason, and wont that look interesting if the Knicks don't have a 5?? And if Coach D can dump Curry's contract between now and then, and chooses not to extend Lee, he may be able to go after 2 full priced free agents like Orlando did with Grant hill and T-Mac. Could that be part of the enticement? Give LBJ a super 5 to go with the young promising Robinson/Chandler/ Gallinari/ and this summers #1 pick. Might be the plan? And He may be able to get an additional pick for Lee in a trade b/c he still has solid value. Look for Lee to get moved this year before it becomes obvious that the Knicks won't resign him. I'd be happy getting a top 15 pick for him. Maybe a protected pick.
Would you trade him for Morris Almond? Utah might not want him anymore, so maybe they could get him for less.
Just more ramble.
about 1 month ago
I do think Crawford will do great in GS. Having him and Monte together actually puts them both in a great spot. Both scorers, both can distribute, neither has 100% pressure to be the true point guard.
But yes, solid move for Knicks too.. They likely could have let jamal opt out at the end of the season, which he will do, but then they have the PR dellema of not signing him. This makes them look a little better!
from about 1 month ago
Yea but the truth is the Warriors are a better team now after the transaction. The Knicks cleared cap room! Woo! Something positive for once! They still have Marbury on their team which is a concern, and even if they do try to get Lebron in 2 years from now, who says he wants to go their?????
about 1 month ago
As a Warriors fan, I love this trade. Although they already shoot enough three-pointers and it makes me a tad uneasy that we'll be pairing Crawford with Jackson... are there going to be enough shots to go around? And with those missed threes come long rebounds, which could already add to the Warriors' defensive woes.
from about 1 month ago
Finally, somebody on my side! Ha. There will be plenty of shots to go around...with Baron gone..Crawford can now step in and take the shots....Biedrins is having a career year and if he can keep producing, they will be a solid team. Along with Brendan Wright...he has extreme upside
from about 1 month ago
Tyler,
Lot's of gunners on our team, but remember that Jack played with Monta and Baron last year and was content being the 3rd option.
As team captain and an game weary from all the mins, I think Jackson will welcome Crawford with open arms to take some minutes from him.
I LOVE this trade, especially the fact that he can opt out this year. Great trade, I'm not sure if Crawford opts out, but if he has a career year, look for him to do so.
about 1 month ago
Yes! We got rid of that bum and got a good reliable scorer. Crawford will be raw.
from about 1 month ago
Yea...Crawford will tear it up!
about 1 month ago
To be honest to the GS people, this is a very good move for them b/c when it comes down to it, Jamal will opt out at the end of this season, and the knicks could have cleared his cap space by not resigning him. GS had ab out 5 reasons to give him up, and the Knicks should have held out for something involving Curry and Mardy Collins.
Knicks could have gotten much more for Jamal, such as maybe Mobely and Eric Gordon, or they should have made GS include Bellini(which I read they tried to do.) When your team is playing well as the Knicks were, you can wait things out. This is a move for this year for GS, so they are the desperate ones to make the move ASAP. Knicks should have been more patient, and taken more offers before taking this deal.
Randolph trade is a little more of a no-brainer. They had no chance of getting rid of ALL of his money, and it opens the dorr for Curry to get back to playing, and maybe become a viable trade asset in the future. But Jamal for so little, I'm not impressed with this part of Walsh's day.
about 1 month ago
That said, I think Al can have great Value in NY, and maybe they move him and get a young player or a pic.. how I don't Know.
from about 1 month ago
who is Al?
about 1 month ago
Agree! This trade will actually open up their cap space for that 2012 FA Summer galore.
Nice work.
from about 1 month ago
Excuse me: 2010
about 1 month ago
Even if this experiment doesn't quite work out the Warriors are still STACKED with trade pieces for the next two seasons. They were able to move Al. Right now with what the Warriors have on the table they would certainly be able to make moves in the future.
Unlike others I'm going to offer a little faith and not suggest we give up Ellis. However, in the future we could possibly give up
Azuibuike: We got him at a bargain, and he could potentially be traded for more than his contract value.
Maggette: He'll at least get this season to see if he can fit in with Nelson's dynamic offense. If he proves too static then it shouldn't be too difficult to trade him to a more half court minded team.
Belinelli: With the gift of Morrow he is a perfect trade ornament.
Marcus Williams: is 1.2 million that is off the books next year. He is good deal padding if the W's have to go for a larger contract later this season.
Hesitatingly I suggest C.J. Watson: Watson has shown his ability to be a gritty backup PG for cheap. He is a poor mans Chris Paul.
I think the Warriors should hang onto Wright unless they are going to be trading for an All Star tweener forward.
Do not trade Turiaf or Biedrins or Randolph.
about 1 month ago
And of course there is also Crawford. So the Warriors have plenty of options to obtain big name talent.
from about 1 month ago
I like your thinking Nuck.
about 1 month ago
AWESOME TRADE!!!
Jamal Crawford is opting out after a career year with the Dubs. It’s either opt out now and go for 1 more long term deal ala Corey Maggette or Finish his contract when he’s in his 30’s and hope somebody will give him a long term contract.
JC will shut his mouth and look great for Don Nelson in a contract year, just like Baron did last year.
We do have too many guards. I’m just hoping we can do a Magggette for Nocioni trade. A versatile SF/PF that Nellie can play with who shoot’s 40% from 3, it’s toughnosed, although he has a long term contract it is 1 year shorter than Maggette’s and declines salary wise over the years.
Nuck,
I would trade BW. Because IMHO, Anthony Randolph is better than Brandan Wright and if you don't think Randolph will play Power Forward in the future for Don Nelson, then you are lying to yourself.
Trade block: Maggette, Marco, Wright, Marcus Williams(if he's not cut first), Hendrix, Buike(but we better get something real good).
I'd be hesistant to trade CJ, he's playing great with a bad shooting elbow. I think he will be a solid back-up in the future.
from about 1 month ago
Garlic you are right. I like CJ a lot. He is the PG that knows Don Nelson's system best. You see it in his execution. He is don nelson's fallback .
Randolph is definitely better than Wright. He is so much fun to watch. Especially with the way he commits himself, and gets so high in the air. I still wouldn't trade Wright unless we were getting another good big man in return. Wright is turning into a capable weakside defender, and threat in the paint. He provides good depth whether he likes it or not.
about 1 month ago
I don't see how the trades are good for the Knicks. The only way the Knicks would actually be respectable this year is if they kept Randolph and Crawford for the full year. The two are the basis for what offense the Knicks have had this year.
I don't see any of the significant free agents coming to New York. The Knicks are going to the exact opposite direction of what Lebron James has said. I don't see Wade coming to New York because he has a better chance at winning with the team he's on now with the Heat.
The best chance for the Knicks to get a free agent is Carmelo Anthony. Considering how he played hs college ball at Syracuse. The Knicks will definitely throw money at these free agents and I believe that Anthony is more about the money than winning.
from about 1 month ago
Why would they want to keep Crawford or Randolph? These are two role players who play selfish games. They aren't good passers. They only have good shooting skill and as we all know, shooting gets you know where unless you can also rebound, drive, and make plays. You can't build a team around them. Randolph can't jump. I will admit that Crawford was a decent player, but you can't build a team around him.
The Knicks did something good. They sacrificed a season to become a good team, something they haven't done for 10 years.
from about 1 month ago
Why would they want to keep Crawford or Randolph? These are two role players who play selfish games. They aren't good passers. They only have good shooting skill and as we all know, shooting gets you know where unless you can also rebound, drive, and make plays. You can't build a team around them. Randolph can't jump. I will admit that Crawford was a decent player, but you can't build a team around him.
The Knicks did something good. They sacrificed a season to become a good team, something they haven't done for 10 years.
from about 1 month ago
awesome comment. totally agree with it.
about 1 month ago
Steven, that is.
about 1 month ago
When you look at this as a straight up trade, it would obviously favor the Warriors, Crawford's production is superior to Harrington at this moment and probably in the future as well. This is more about the future for the Knicks rather than this season. I think Crawford will be a nice fit with the Warriors, giving them lots of options both on the court and off. I know his defense is lacking but the words defense and Warriors rarely are spoken in the same sentence anyway.
I liked Harrington, always seemed like a good guy (plus he wears my companies energy patches) but it's funny how this turned out. Harrington was supposed to be our low post guy, the #4 spot we'd always have been missing and Jackson was a throw-in to get him out of Indiana. Jackson becomes the leader and heart of the Warriors and Harrington becomes a small forward (in his eyes anyway) and gets dealt away.
I'm looking forward to Sunday's game.
write a new comment