Happy Walters (agent for Amare) posted on twitter:

“There will be a sign and trade with NY. Will give you all more cap space courtesy of Amar’e.”

According to RealGM

“The trade exception of $16.5 million is equal to Stoudemire’s first-year salary in New York and means that Phoenix would be landing a player like David Lee in return.

The Knicks are expected to receive a second-round pick and an additional $800,000 in cap space in the deal as they will be able to start Amar’e's contract at a lower price.”

Top performers from Day 3 of the Orlando Summer League

Damion James (Nets): James has out played fellow rookie Derrick Favors through the first three games. James scored a game high 30 points (9-of-18 shooting). The Texas rookie is averaging 20.7 (2nd overall) points and 6.3 rebounds.

Paul George (Pacers)- George followed up his eight rebound, seven steal game with 15 points and nine rebounds. The 10th overall pick has displayed his versatility through the first three games.

Jrue Holiday (76ers)- Holiday had his best game yet with 25 points, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 three-pointers. Overall he is fifth in scoring and second in assists.

Honorable Mention: Joe Crawford (Magic), Josh McRoberts (Pacers), Lance Stephenson (Pacers), James Harden (Thunder), Marreese Speights (76ers)

Top three performers from Day 2 of the Orlando Summer League:

Gerald Henderson (Bobcats): Henderson had team highs of 21 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. He made 10-of-11 free throws and has scored over 20 points in his each of his first two games.

Terrence Williams (Nets): Williams had a game high 24 points (8-of-12 from the field). He also chipped in seven rebounds and seven assists. The second year player is averaging 23.5 points, seven assists and four rebounds through two games.

Patrick Ewing Jr. (Magic): Ewing scored 17 points (7-of-12 from the field) with three rebounds, two blocks, two threes and one steal. He scored 12 of his team high 17 in the second half.

Honorable mention: Damion James (Nets), Lance Stephenson (Pacers), Gordon Hayward (Jazz), Luke Harangody (Celtics), James Harden (Thunder)

Top three performers from Day 1 of the Orlando Summer League:

Lance Stephenson (Pacers): Stephenson had game highs of 21 points and eight free throw attempts. He also chipped in with four rebounds, three assists and one block. The Pacers need a play maker and they believe Stephenson could run the point. The 40th overall pick in the NBA Draft already looks like a steal.

Luke Harangody: Harangody led the Celtics with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field. He made four three pointers which shows his improved outside shot. Hiz size and basketball IQ could help him get playing time during the season.

Jrue Holliday (76ers): Holiday had a team highs of 23 points, 11 free throw attempts and eight assists. He looked comfortable running the pick-and-roll. The second year player also showed chemistry playing alongside Evan Turner.

Honorable mention: Evan Turner (76ers), Terrence Williams (Nets), Patrick Ewing Jr. (Magic), Jeff Adrien (Magic), Gerald Henderson (Bobcats), B.J. Mullens (Thunder)

According to the NY Daily News: “The Knicks could also have the inside track on signing free agent point guard Luke Ridnour whose price tag is too high for Milwaukee. Ridnour would serve as the perfect mentor for second-year point guard Toney Douglas, having been used in a similar role last season with the Bucks and their rookie Brandon Jennings.”

My take: For the second time in his seven year career Ridnour appeared in all 82 games last season. He averaged 10.4 points, 4 assists and scored 0.8 three pointers in 21 minutes per game. Ridnour, set career highs in field goal percentage (47.8), three point percentage (38.1) and free throw percentage (90.7). He has made $6.5 million in each of the past three seasons and is 29 years old which means the Knicks should not overpay.

According to RealGM and the NY Post “The Knicks will send other front office members to meet with Kyle Korver, Mike Miller and Ray Allen. The Knicks are in the market for another three-point shooter to spread the floor in Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo offense.”

My take: Korver led the NBA in last season in three point percentage (53.6). However, he attempted a career low 2.1 threes per game. During the playoffs he continued his hot shooting converting 47% of his threes. Korver. would be the ideal target because he is the youngest (29) and should come the cheapest out of this group. Mike Miller has durability concerns and made $9.1 million last season. Ray Allen is turning 35 and has made at least $10+ million every season since 2000.

According to the StarTribune:

“David Kahn says he plans to call two agents at 11 o’clock Wednesday, when the NBA’s free-agency negotiation period begins. I hear from a good league source that one of those two guys is Memphis forward Rudy Gay.

The question about Gay is whether the Wolves would try to package a front-loaded offer too painful for the Grizzlies to match or whether they’d try to strike a sign-and-trade deal.”

My take: The Wolves will have about $13.1 million in cap space. With the third pick in the NBA Draft the Wolves selected small forward Wes Johnson who plays the same position as Gay.They also acquired Lazar Haywood (last pick in the first round) and Martell Webster.

With the additions they made so far it is not an ideal fit for Gay. Unless, they play him or Johnson at the two guard. As a fan it would be fun to watch two players playing together who are very similar in size and skill set. Ideally, Kahn would like to move the contract of Al Jefferson, who has three years and $42 million left.

Pick 33: Kings- Hassan Whiteside

Whiteside was a projected first round pick by several mock drafts. He led the nation in blocks per game (5.4) and was selected as the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year. His 182 blocks was the fourth most for one season in Division 1 history. He is 7”0″ with a 7-7 wingspan and 9-5 reach.

The Kings boast an impressive front court with this year’s top pick DeMarcus Cousins, Samuel Dalembert, Carl Landry and Jason Thompson. Whiteside could have a future with the Kings considering Dalembert and Landry will be free agents at the end of next season.

Teams had concerns over his maturity (showed up the combine in flip flops) and his recent diagnosis with ADD. He is raw on the offensive side and considered a bad passer (10 assists in 34 games) which also caused him to slide. However, this was still an excellent value pick based on the the upside.

Pick 36: Pistons- Terrico White

White was one of the most athletice players at the draft combine with a 40 inch vertical and 3.7% body fat. He also was a star quarterback in high school, clocking the 40-yard dash at 4.37 seconds

The combo guard averaged 15.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in his Sophomore season. His aggressiveness and athletic tools will be an asset for the Pistons back court.

He slipped into the second round because of his shot selection and is undersized for a two guard.

40: Pacers- Lance Stephenson

Stephenson is the All-Time leading scorer in York High School Basketball (2,785 points). The Big East Freshman of the Year has the size and frame to succeed at the NBA level. Like the two players mentioned before would he have been a first-rounder if he stayed an extra year.

He could see playing time in Indiana considering Mike Dunleavy is a free agent after next season and Dahntay Jones has a team option. If he works on his outside shots, decision making and conditioning then his first round talent will shine.

54: Clippers- Willie Warren

Warren had draft lottery potential coming into this past season after he was named a consensus first-team freshman All-American. He struggled this past season with an ankle injury but still averaged 16.3 points and 4.1 assists. He will be reunited with former college teammate Blake Girffin.

Honorable mention: Blazers: 34- Armon Johnson, Heat: 42- Jarvis Varando, 50: Dallas traded to Raptors- Solomon Alabi

According to Chris Broussard of ESPN:

“Plugged-in sources saying Knicks high on Joe Johnson’s list of teams,”Broussard wrote on his Twitter page.”

Pros: If LeBron James, does not come to NY then JJ could be a “suitable” replacement. He has made the All-Star team in four straight seasons and this past season was named to All-NBA Third Team. His size (6’7″-240), versatility and shooting ability has quietly turned him into of the elite guards in the league.

In his five years with the Hawks he has averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds.This past regular season he was one of seven players to average 20+ points and 4.9+ assists.

Johnson is familiar with Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni, since he played for him in two seasons with Phoenix. In 04-05 Johnson set career highs in 3-point field goals (177) and rebounds per game (5.2).

Cons: While, Johnson is a consistent and crafty player he is not a LeBron James or Dwayne Wade.

JJ is not a high volume free throw shooter, attempting just 3.5 per game (lowest amount since 03-04). He also has appeared in 44 playoff games over his 10 seasons. In his most recent playoff series he averaged 12.8 points and shot 29% from the field in a four game sweep by the Magic.

He has made the playoffs three times with the Hawks averaging over 18 points just one time and has yet to make it out of the second round.

JJ is best viewed as a second option and the Knicks should not offer him in a max contract considering he will be turning 29 in two days.

Three undrafted free agents the Knicks should target:

Sherron Collins:

The Knicks have to bring in the senior point guard from Kansas. Despite his inconsistent senior season (15.5 points and 4.5 assists) he averaged 18.9 points and 5 assists in his junior season.

One of the reasons he was not one of the 60 players drafted was his size and conditioning leading up to the draft. He is 5’11″ and is weight has fluctuated from 209 to 227 the past two months.He also had nagging injuries during the pre-draft process. If he can get down to playing weight  the winningest player in KU history (130 wins) would provide depth for the Knicks.

Collins already has an invitation to join the Charlotte Bobcats summer league team. Bobcats Head Coach Larry Brown is a former KU coach.

Brian Zoubeck:

I saw reports the Knicks could have drafted him in the second round because they liked his size and grit. The 7″1″ center would  fill a need since the Knicks lack size upfront. Zoubeck clogs the lanes and can rebound. He set a Duke record with 145 offensive rebounds and per 40 minutes he averaged 16.8 rebounds.

Mikhail Torrance:

Torrance was a projected second round pick on several different mock drafts I read leading up the draft.I also thought his stock was rising due to his athleticism,  reach and instincts. He has excellent size at 6″5″ and averaged 15.6 points and 5.1 assists in his senior season. The combo guard was ranked the 4th best PG according to DraftExpress.

Honorable mention:

Sylven Landesberg

“Donnie Walsh said he sees Rautins, who spent much of his pre-draft workout with the Knicks at the point, as a combo guard, and described Fields as “super athletic.”

I did not expect New York to draft Andy Rautins or Landry Fields. However, the draft strategy changed when Armon Johnson, Terrico White and Darington Hobson all were selected in the second round right before the Knicks. I see the plan now was draft to combo guard that can shoot and an athletic wing player that scan score.

I thought the Knicks were going to spend one pick or size and the other on a guard. Hassan Whiteside slipped all the way to the second round I would have liked the Knicks to land him. Unlike last year the Knicks did not purchase a first rounder.

Also it was a bit of head scratcher when the Knicks passed up on Lance Stephenson and Jarvis Varnado who ironically were the next two picks after the Knicks. Jerome Jordan, Gani Lawlal, Willie Warren, Derrick Caracter and Solomon Alabi were also available.

Analysis by Chad Ford of ESPN:

“The Knicks had a pretty weird draft.

I can understand taking Rautins somewhat. Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni loves shooters and Rautins is the J.J Redick of the draft.

But drafting Fields is puzzling. Yes, he’s a great athlete who was one of the best scorers in the Pac 10 last year. But he was not ranked in our top 100 and I couldn’t find another scout who had him in the top 60.

Maybe the Knicks know something that we don’t, but with so much talent left on the board, it feels as though New York may regret its decisions eventually.”

Grade: D

My take: Mike D’Atoni likes shooters and the team needs to add range off the bench. Rautins shot 40% from three for Syracuse last season and is a member of the Canadian national team. He finished second all-time with 282 three pointers in school history. Redick was a much shooter and defender coming of college.

His father Leo, was a member of the Knicks training camp in 1987. He is the first Canadian drafted since Toronto’s Denham Brown was chosen by Seattle in 2006. Andy worked out earlier this month for the Knicks and must have impressed him with his shooting and other abilities. He may take advantage of a perfect situation he is stepping into. Walsh needs to add shooters if they sign LeBron James.

My take: Fields had the second highest vertical at the draft combine with 39 inches. He was selected first team All-Pac 10 after leading the league in scoring at 22 points per game (eighth in the nation) and pulled down 8.8 rebounds. He also worked out for the Knicks and they must have liked his size (6’7″) and versatility.