The Summer of 2010 Does Not Belong to the Knicks

The summer of 2010 may yield the most anxiously awaited free agent period in NBA history. In addition to the possibility of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh opting out of there contracts and becoming available, some of the other big names who may be looking for new homes are Amare Stoudamire, Ray Allen, Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili, Josh Howard, Michael Redd, Steve Nash, Tracey MacGrady, Richard Hamilton, Mehmet Okur, Carlos Boozer, and Chris Paul. Now, of course, this list is dependent upon when different players opt out of their contracts, though I think it's pretty safe to say that few top-tier players will opt out in 2009, knowing full well that most GM's will be waiting to see what happens with LeBron in 2010 before signing any long-term big money contracts with anyone else.

Recently, I wrote a column called Elton Brand: the Knick that Should Have Been. It was a piece about how the Knicks should have pursued Brand in a sign-and-trade deal with the Clippers for Zach Randolph. While the argument was a sound one, some of the reader feedback has been that the Knicks will not take on any contracts that go beyond the year 2010 until LeBron James' future has been determined.

Though I agree that the Knicks will probably not take on any big contracts until after the future of LeBron James has been determined, I must say that to a certain degree I disagree with Knicks president Donnie Walsh on this philosophy. 2010 is a long ways away and the Knick fans who have endured Isiah Thomas' reign of terror deserve to be rewarded should the opportunity arise. As long as the Knicks continue to live for the "Summer of LeBron," basketball after 2010 will be disappointing in New York.