Do the Fans Win?

Last week, after a promising start to the young season, the New York Knicks traded away there two best players, Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford. Zach Randolph was having a career year, averaging 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 assist. He was benefiting from new coach Mike D'Antoni's style of play. Crawford was also having a good season, averaging 20 points and almost 5 assists. The Knicks were an exciting team to watch, and after years of killing basketball in New York, they were a young promising team.

Donnie Walsh, GM of the Knicks, changed the outlook of the team in a matter of hours. First, he traded Jamal Crawford to the Warriors for power forward/ center Al Harrington. Then, he traded Zach Randolph to the Clipper for power forward Tim Thomas and shooting guard Cuttino Mobley. What did all of those players have in common? By 2010, they would be off the books, giving the Knicks almost 27 million dollers in salary cap space. That is the summer when players like LeBron James, Dwanye Wade, Chris Bosh and Amera Stoudemire could be free agents.

There is alot to get out of this trade. First, from a basketball perspective, the trade does not help the Knicks. The potential benefits are maybe Harrington, who can put it on the floor and take the outside shot, can flourish in D'Antoni's system just like Randolph. Also, by moving Crawford, the Knicks let Nate Robinson get more playing time, and they can develop him further. But other then that, it gives away there two best players, and makes them significantly worse. It also sends a message to the players that winning is not the number one priority in the orgainization right now.

This trade also calls into question what the Knicks motives were coming into this season. Did they showcase Randolph and Crawford for the sole purpose of trading them when they could? Are they even trying to win games, or just up the value of their players? My guess is that yes, that is exactly what they were doing. I think all along Walsh knew his goal was to free cap up for the 2010 off season. But this posts the question, is that wrong? And is it fair to the fans?

The fans can look at it two ways when a team completely gives up on the season for hopes of signing a free agent in the future. They could look at it in a positive way. The Knicks now have a chance to sign LeBron James, Dwanye Wade or Chris Bosh. Infact, they could even sign two of them. This would make them instant favorites to win an NBA Championship. It would also make them one of the most exciting and marketable teams in the league. The center of the basketball universe would once again be in New York.

But what if they don't sign any of those players. What if Wade decides to stay in Miami, or LeBron wins a championship this season in Cleveland and then re ups?What do the Knicks, and the fans, do then? They have sold the next two seasons away for a chance at these guys. The Knicks, more the likely, will not win a championship until then. So why would the fans root for them, knowing that there not trying to win. They might put up with it until 2010, but if that season starts without James or Wade in Madison Square Garden, the fans will be cheated and mad.

This situation is happening alot now in the NBA. Teams are losing to try to get number 1 picks. Selling seasons for money. Players are trying harder in contract years, and teams are quitting on their coach. In sports, the goal is to win. But should that come at the expense of the fans?

In the long run, this was a good trade for the Knicks. They werent going to win with the current team, so why not suffer for 2 years then hope to get LeBron. But for the fans, the Knicks have given them no team to root for until 2010, and maybe beyond. So why the Knicks orgainization might be the winner in this trade, the clear loser right now is the fans.