Back when Mike D’Antoni first took over as head coach of the Knicks and they were trying to get back on their feet, the Knicks signed a player they thought would be the point guard of the future. With D’Antoni’s system so reliant on a distributing playmaker, grabbing a versatile point guard who had shown some promise was of vital importance. Surely with D’Antoni developing him, he would become a huge part of the future of the Knicks and provide them a building block at a key position.
That player was Chris Duhon, who you may remember from such recent films as “Honey, I Shrunk Behind Gilbert Arenas in the Magic Rotation” and “Tomatoed: A Knicks Fan Love Story.”
Now a report makes it appear as if the Knicks are on the verge of acquiring another point guard with even less perceived potential in a trade with the Timberwolves. From the New York Daily News:The Knicks have had preliminary discussions with the Minnesota Timberwolves about a trade for point guard Jonny Flynn.
No formal deal is in place, but the Knicks are debating whether Flynn, the sixth overall pick of the 2009 draft would be a viable option to back up Chauncey Billups for at least one season. Flynn has become expendable now that the Wolves have signed Spanish guard Ricky Rubio, who was taken one pick ahead of Flynn.
Toney Douglas would likely be the player traded for Flynn.
via Knicks target backup point guard, could deal Toney Douglas to Minnesota Timberwolves for Jonny Flynn.
Look, don’t get me wrong. I’m all for bargain shopping. And I’m one of the few people yelling to the high heavens that Chauncey Billups is a terrible fit for D’Antoni’s system. But Flynn’s not the answer here. In two seasons in Minnesota, he’s shown almost nothing to be excited about, from playmaking to shooting to turnovers to injury (Flynn missed most of 2010-2011 recovering from a hip injury. Losing Douglas isn’t exactly a crushing blow, but at least Douglas fits his role a little better (sparkplug combo guard off the bench). Flynn even as back-up point guard hasn’t shown the ability to do anything the Knicks need him to do. Giving up an asset for him, especially with the Wolves desperate to trade him, seems unnecessary.
Then again, there is another element here. Flynn is represented by Leon Rose, who you know as the big superstar agent for LeBron James and the Knicks’ very own Carmelo Anthony. Rose is also currently representing Chris Paul, a free agent in 2012. Getting Flynn out of Minnesota lets the Knicks continue to work with Rose and do Rose a favor before the bidding starts for Paul’s services. It’s a sneaky way of getting their foot in the door, but well worth it if it pays off. If this is just about Flynn, though, whoever’s pushing for this in the Knicks’ front office needs to get their head checked.
