So Penny and TimThom come off of the books AFTER this season. Allan Who?ston is going to be waived. That's $28 million officially off the books in 2006, plus $19 million more in relief from Allan Who?ston's contract. That will leave Goatbury as the only Knick earning more than $10 million in yearly salary.

Maurice Taylor's contract expires after 2006-2007, and he will surely have incentive to earn another one. Malik Rose and JYD are both sitting at $6-7 million per for a few more years, and at least the two of them contribute. Sweetney hits option years in 2006-7, and 2007-8 and he will have to play for a new contract also.

The good news is that Crawford is locked in under $10 million per until 2009-10 and his option year in 2010-11 is just over $10 million. Quentin Richardson has 5 years and 37 million left on his deal, which takes him to 2009-10. Those are two good young players locked in for several years. This should give Trevor Ariza, the new Knicks - Frye, Robinson, Lee - and the others to come ample time to gel into a legitimate team.

I have to be optimistic about the Knicks.