In an odd move, for so many reasons, the NY Knicks have completed a trade with the Houston Rockets to acquire Patrick Ewing Jr. Here’s the details:
The New York Knicks have acquired Patrick Ewing, Jr. in a trade with Houston in exchange for the draft rights to center Frederic Weis.
Yeah folks, you’re thinking about the right man:
Weis was New York’s first-round draft choice (15th overall) in 1999 and became controversial because they passed on Artest, who was known locally from playing at St. John’s and growing up in Queensbridge.
Since Weis won’t be coming to the NBA, there’s nothing to mention for the Rockets. Ewing had a non-guaranteed contract anyway. Nothing to say, a move of no mark.
Some words from Donnie Walsh
“Patrick Ewing will have an opportunity here to compete for a spot on our roster,” said Donnie Walsh. “He is a solid defensive player and a very good athlete.”
Ewing adding
“Coming to the Knicks, and hopefully being able to contribute, means a lot to me. It has always been my dream to play for this team,” Ewing, Jr. said. “My goal is to show the coaches that I can play and do all that I can to help the team win some games.”
That report comes from RealGM. Here’s another link
Knicks president Donnie Walsh raved about Ewing Jr. on draft night, praising his defense, and admitted he was trying to obtain a late first-round pick or second-round pick to draft him. However, despite his athleticism, he is a poor offensive player and not much of a shooter.
“I like him a lot,” Walsh said after the draft. “We were trying to get picks in the first round and he would’ve been one of the guys in my mind. I think he could be a good addition to an NBA team because he’s a glue guy.”
This is just a very odd move. Firstly trading the draft rights to a guy you picked 9 years ago and reportedly will never play in the NBA. Secondly, the son of a former great. Thirdly, trading Balkman for a unproven and likely lesser version of the same skill set.
I like Patrick Ewing Jr and believe he has a spot in this league but if Balkman wasn’t going to play for the Knicks why the heck would Ewing get court time? What am I missing here?
The Knicks already have 16 players contracted for next season. It’s very hard to picture Ewing making the squad. The only way I see him making the cut is if the Knicks buy out two of their overpaid veterans that they no longer see as part of the picture.
Update: Some information on Ewing’s non-guaranteed contract
For the Rockets, the move was made to reduce the roster before part of Ewing’s salary became guaranteed next week.
Adding
With the move, the Rockets have 14 players under contract and hope to sign Dikembe Mutombo and Carl Landry.
So one more cut to come for Houston, any guesses? I’m looking at Mike Harris first and foremost. Steve Francis and/or DJ Strawberry could be candidates. Harris is my frontrunner for the cut though.
Update Two: Verification that Houston would have had a minor salary cap hit had they kept Ewing and cut him instead of trading him to NYC.
So to avoid a (rather minor) salary cap hit for waiving Ewing, Morey agreed to a trade that worked for everyone.
It had to be a player or a draft pick to make the deal work. The Knicks could have surrendered a future second round pick, but with so few picks in the next two drafts, Walsh couldn’t afford it
The Knicks finally traded frederic weiss to Houston. I hope he comes to the NBA. And Weiss and Yao Ming can form the twin towers.
Is Frederic Weiss retired from basketball?
Weis, 31 years old, is still playing pro basketball (for Bilbao in Spain) but he’s said he’s remaining in Europe several times over the years. There’s no hope he comes over.
Mutombo will be a better backup anyway. Houston’s interior is well set.
Do you know why Frederic Weis says he wants to remain in Europe? Does Frederic Weis have any game left? I mean he was on 2006 World Championship and 2007 EuroBasket rosters along with NBA players Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, Ronny Turiaf, Mickael Pietrus, Yakhouba Diawara. If he still on the French National team with so many NBA players then I’m guessing he still has some game left in him. He is afterall 7′2 and Mutombo is old and about to retire. Plus, I really think it would be good for his manhood. People must make fun of him everyday for being dunked on by vince carter. And being drafted by the Knicks.
Initially Weis didn’t come over to the NBA because he didn’t think his game was good enough. Since then though the prevailing feeling has been that life is better over there in Europe than it would be in NBA. Play a more important role on his team, earn very good money and play a shorter season …. Better than riding the bench in the NBA.
Weis plays close to 30 minutes a night on Euroleague team out in Spain, so he’s playing an important role at a very high level. He has an enjoyable life there.
I haven’t seen him play in about 12 months but I’m presuming he hasn’t changed much in that time (if he has changed I’m guessing it’s decline rather progress).
Weis is a decent player. He’s intelligent, can pass and rebounds well, overall he does a great job of playing within his limitations. Below average defensively but decent, and has a decent but limited jump shot (nice short hook shot but doesn’t use it much). Generally avoids shooting or trying to make plays. Limited athleticism. He’s a guy who comes in and plays a small simple supporting role for his team. The type of guy who stays in the background and allows the better players on his team to do what they do best.
If he joined an NBA team today he’d be a backup center and a fairly average one, possibly worse. He’d likely be his team’s second big man off the bench on a mediocre or worse squad (5-10mpg). On a good team it’s likely he doesn’t get regular minutes.
I’m trying to think of an elite team he could play regularly for but I’m not coming up with recommendations. He’d be an excellent third string center.
If he came over to the NBA at an earlier age I think he could have been a solid rotation player in the league. He didn’t develop well his first few years over in Europe after passing up the NBA, I think he’d have had a better shot in the NBA.
As for Houston, there’s no question in my mind that Mutombo is a better player. Scola at center is also a better option and so is their small ball lineups. He wouldn’t play.