Donnie’s Done It

In case there was any confusion as to what this franchise’s priorities were these past two seasons, today’s deal let fans know that the last two years were a throw-away in anticipation of this summer.

It’s clear today that when Donnie Walsh took over the Knicks his #1 goal was to get this team as far under the salary cap as possible in anticipation of the free agent class of 2010.

That’s not really a surprise.

Oh, and here’s a footnote: he did it by trading for the superstar formerly known as Tracy McGrady.

Of course today’s move means the team has given up on 2010, not that they were really going anywhere with 19 wins in late February.

(Can you tell how much I care about having McGrady as a “rental” for three months).

Here’s the meat and potatoes:

The Knicks traded away Jared Jeffries, Jordan Hill and Larry Hughes in order to get McGrady’s monster contract that comes off the books July 1.

Also off the payroll come July, Al Harrington ($10 million) and Chris Duhon ($6 million). It’s believed the Knicks will be $30 million below the cap when the free agency period opens.

And in reality, that’s what the Donnie Walsh era has been all about anyway. Supposedly a rival GM said that if Walsh pulled off this deal he should be the favorite for Executive of the Year.

Well, he’s done it, and now the Knicks will be in the position they were hoping for come July: FAR ENOUGH UNDER THE CAP TO SIGN TWO BIG NAME FREE AGENTS.

Whether or not they want to leave Cleveland (LeBron), or Miami (D-Wade), or come to a big city (Bosh), will be Walsh’s next big challenge.

But by pulling off this move and getting the Knicks so far under the cap for 2010, he’s one-for-one in accomplishing major things on his “save the franchise to-do-list.”

So, Knicks fans, enjoy watching Tracy McGrady chuck shots from all over the Garden floor for how ever many of the team’s remaining 29 games he decides to play.

We all know the rest of this season is an afterthought.

The real seasons starts July 1.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle