Isiah Wins a Trade!

Never thought I'd say that, but I don't know what the Blazers were thinking. Maybe it took all of Kevin Pritchard's common sense to select Greg Oden over Kevin Durant and he had none left to work out this trade.

Zach Randolph for Channing Frye and Steve Francis? A 25-year old who averages 20 and 10 for a mediocre young power forward and a washed-up Francis? Trading Randolph isn't a terrible move, as the Blazers needed to make room for Oden and Aldridge, but how does this make Portland any better? The only way it could work out is if Steve Francis regains his Houston form or maybe if Pritchard is able to trade Francis and maybe Raef LaFrentz for helps when when their contracts expire. That, or let them go and use the cap room to make a big signing, but who knows what the free agent market will look like by then. For a talent like Randolph, one would think Portland could have at least gotten David Lee or the 23rd pick, but apparently not.

As for the Knicks, it's a good move. Now they've got two excellent low-post scorers, in Randolph and Eddy Curry. Of course, one has to wonder whether they'll get in each other's way in the same way that Randolph and Oden supposedly would have. The other issue is that Randolph is not much of a defender, plus this gives the Knicks yet another guy who will need the ball. I can't see it making the Knicks that much better, but it certainly is an improvement as far as talent and for once the Knicks might actually have a player that other teams want. Maybe this could allow them to get back into Kobe Bryant trade talks. Even if Randolph doesn't improve the Knicks, the possibility of turning around and trading Randolph (or maybe Curry) makes this a steal for New York.

This actually looks a lot better for the Knicks on paper than it will likely play out. Randolph is great, but did the Knicks really need another scorer? Hard to imagine he'll make the guys around him better. I can't say it was a bad deal because New York didn't give up anything much, but unless they turn around and trade Randolph or Curry for a better fit, it won't amount to much.