New York Knicks: Former Players Part 2

By Dave Martinson | Feb 12, 2015

Feb 18, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph (50) posts up against New York Knicks power forward Amar /

Apart from a stellar 54-28 2012-13 season, the Knicks have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA since the turn of the new millennium. After making the playoffs every season from 1987-88 to 2000-01, the Knicks have gone 448-602 (42 percent) in addition to a 7-18 playoff record.

These seasons ranged from mediocre first-round playoff exits to downright atrocious 23-59 showings in 2005-06 and 2007-08. Despite these struggles, several talented players have come through the Knicks’ doors during the past decade or so. For the sake of this piece we will look back at notable Knicks players of the past 12 years that are still relevant in the NBA as of 2015.

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The first piece in the series covered Nenê, Trevor Ariza, Nate Robinson, David Lee, and Jamal Crawford. This piece will highlight two additional former Knicks players who are still active.

Channing Frye was selected by the Knicks with the eighth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. Frye, a solid role player during his rookie season, averaging 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds at 24.2 minutes per game across 65 games. At the end of the season Frye was named to the 2005-06 All-Rookie First Team despite suffering a season ending knee injury on March 21.

Frye started 59 of 72 games during his sophomore season but saw his numbers decline slightly despite a minutes uptick. Frye was a mediocre rebounder who did not block shots and was outplayed across the board during his second season by David Lee.

Frye remained in the starting lineup until February 2007 because head coach Isiah Thomas valued Frye’s perimeter shooting ability despite Frye’s lack of a 3-point shot (he only made six 3s in two seasons with the Knicks). Upon the conclusion of the season, Frye was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. Frye continued to improve and became a bonafide stretch-4 with the Phoenix Suns.

Frye knocked down 172 3s at .439 shooting during the 2009-10 season and competed in the 2010 3-Point Contest. Frye is currently in the first season of a four-year, $32 million deal with the Orlando Magic, who seemingly overpaid for his veteran leadership.

Frye was serviceable as a Knick but did not develop his game until further down the road, similar to the previously mentioned Trevor Ariza. Few could have predicted Frye’s mid-range game would evolve into a consistent beyond the arc threat. At least we’ll have this:

Knicks fans should be less concerned about Frye succeeding elsewhere and more interested in who he was traded for, Zach Randolph.

Zach Randolph was traded to the Knicks on June 28, 2007, in exchange for Frye, Steve Francis, and a 2008 second-round pick. Randolph averaged a career-high 23.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game the season prior and had averaged at least 18 points and eight rebounds in each of the previous four seasons.

The Blazers were eager to trade Randolph and his large contract of four years and $61 million as a part of a franchise reload supported by the pairing of LaMarcus Aldridge with their newest draft pick, Greg Oden. Meanwhile, Randolph had an extensive history of disciplinary and legal problems that plagued him since his career began.

Randolph averaged 17.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for the Knicks during the atrocious 2007-08 season. After only 11 games into the 2008-09 season, Randolph was traded to the Clippers for spare parts. Jamal Crawford was also traded in a separate deal on the same day which became a turning point for the organization.

The team was now committed to jettisoning long-term payroll in order to maximize their competitiveness for the 2010 free agency class headlined by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Randolph remained with the Clippers for the rest of the season before joining the Memphis Grizzlies, where has remained for the past six seasons.

Randolph was able to put his past behind him and become one of the best power forwards and fiercest rebounders in basketball for the past several seasons. Randolph was an All-Star in 2010 and 2013 and named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2011.

The trade of Randolph along with Crawford and David Lee were all necessary moves considering what the organization was attempting to accomplish in 2010. However, with Amar’e Stoudemire failing to live up to his max contract due to injuries it is safe to say that Lee or Randolph were more deserving players.

The principle behind the Amar’e vs. David Lee debate does not apply to Z-Bo because his contract already put the team over the cap in 2010. Therefore his trade was an unfortunate necessity. It remains to be seen if the Knicks will be able to pry away Randolph’s free-agent teammate Marc Gasol in the offseason given the great success the Grizzlies are having this season.

Stay tuned for the next piece in the series breaking down the acquisition of Carmelo Anthony, who was given up, and where they are today.

Next: 50 Greatest NBA Players Without a Championship

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