Many have tried, all have failed.

But if the Knicks can complete this master plan they started this 2008-09 NBA basketball season, then maybe, just maybe, the Knicks can finally fix their situation and finally get back to prominence.

What’s this plan you ask? Well, it is obvious that the New York Knicks, after trading away their top two scorers, are joining in on the LeBron James lottery.

With the departure of the Knicks’ top two scorers, that being Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph, via separate trades, the Knicks will now have to work doubly hard to manufacture points and other intangibles that the two players left.

Zach Randolph was sent to the Los Angeles Clippers for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley. Randoplh, who is averaging 20.6 points this season, gives the Clippers an accomplished low-post scorer to work with guard Baron Davis.

Jamal Crawford, on the other hand, was sent to the Golden State Warriors for Al Harrington. He is currently averaging almost 20 points per game.

By trading their two leading scorers, the Knicks will clear approximately $27 million in salary-cap space for the summer of 2010 when the biggest prize in NBA free agency history, Cleveland’s LeBron James, can become available.

Randolph will be making $17.3 million and Crawford $10.1 million in 2010. For the Knicks, this will create significant flexibility as that historic free-agent class of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh hits the market

The trades that the Knicks made are obviously in preparation for 2010. The Knicks won’t just have the cap space to sign James, it also lets them sign James’ big name sidekick as well. Who will LeBron play with if he signs with the Knicks? Well, the plan is to get Toronto’s Chris Bosh. Yes, the Knicks can offer a big-ass contract to both superstars.

For now, the Knicks will have to rely on their young group of players to survive the season. Seasoned veterans like Al Harrington, Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas will still have to learn the new system of head coach Mike D’Antoni.

Fortunately for Thomas, he has already played under D’Antoni back in Phoenix so he can probably adjust easily.

Who will win the 2009 NBA Finals? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Boston Celtics 4.00

Los Angeles Lakers 4.50

Detroit Pistons 9.00

San Antonio Spurs 9.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds. Want to watch the NBA live? Get NBA tickets online now.

New York Knicks LeBron James