News is out that the Knicks have traded Jamal Crawford to Golden State for Al Harrington. I have to say, it’s strange to read about a Knicks trade that makes sense. In this case, it was a great trade for both teams. For now, because logical moves in New York have been so rare, we’re going to look at the Knicks side of this.

The Knicks desperately need cap relief. Their payroll is larger than some small countries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal) ) And to state the obvious, they don’t have a lot to show for all that spending. Enter Al Harrington. He has two years left on his contract while Crawford still has three more years at an average of $9mil per. And what’s more, this trade makes the Knicks much more “Mike D’Antoni Friendly”.

So far, the lineup most used by D’Antoni is Chris Duhon, Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Wilson Chandler and Zach Randolph. This trade gives them more depth and size in the front court (either with Harrington backing up the 3 and the 4, or by having him start at the 4). It also gives them a forward who can shoot the ball. More than anything, it could set in motion a series of trades. Here’s how: Having another guy who can competently play PF frees them up to explore more trades involving Zach Randolph. Now that they have Harrington, Donnie Walsh doesn’t need to get back a big man in exchange for Randolph. A trade with desperate-for-interior scoring Chicago becomes much easier to pull off now (say, Larry Hughes and Cedric Simmons).

The Crawford/Harrington trade leaves the backcourt a little thin, so more of the front court can be jettisoned to help out there. With Richardson, Harrington, David Lee and Chandler still there to play the 3 and 4 spots, Danilo Gallinari is expendable. Utah could be a destination. If Boozer leaves in the offseason, Kirilenko can start at his natural power forward position. Gallinari may fit in well at the SF position. So, Ronnie Price and Jarron Collins for Gallinari. This would give NY more cap relief and a competent guard.

I’m guessing that it will be impossible to trade Curry this season (useless and two years left on his contract), but you never know. Either way, shedding Randolph’s contract and getting some help in the backcourt certainly makes New York’s future look a little brighter.