Rebuild the Knicks

Dear Mr. Dolan and Mr. Thomas:







The Knicks are, once again, at a crossroads and will have to choose between the Scylla and the Charybdis. The choice we are obviously referring to is whether to demolish and rebuild the team by trading established productive veterans for young talent, draft picks and salary cap relief or to try and trade expiring contracts and the Knicks' existing draft picks to acquire spare veteran parts in the hope of making the playoffs and perhaps making a surprising playoff run. The organization has repeatedly chosen the latter but history demonstrates that our organization has taken the wrong path every year.







The Knicks find themselves facing the same dilemma once again. The Knicks have at least five onerous contracts, the contracts of Penny Hardaway, Maurice Taylor, Malik Rose, Jerome Williams and Antonio Davis, that will expire by 2007. The Knicks may either: (a) let these contracts expire and get nothing in return except for salary cap relief or (b) trade these players in exchange other players with long term contracts. On behalf of your legions of devoted fans, please publicly announce your commitment towards youth, rebuilding and the future and allow these contracts to expire.







The team, as currently assembled, lacks a core and a foundation and only a true commitment towards the future and rebirth can turn the Knicks fortunes around. However, even though the Knicks are 6-15 at the time of the composition of this letter, there is cause for optimism. With a hall of fame coach on the sidelines, a General Manager who excels at scouting and talent evaluation, a future All-Star at power forward in Channing Frye the Knicks are already showing signs of life and the fans are optimistic that the Knicks' fortunes can change.







Contrary to popular belief, we, the fans, are patient and can tolerate another losing season or two, provided the Knicks publicly acknowledge and carry out their commitment to rebuild. There is no other viable option.