Some within the Knicks front office recently said they’re interested in adding a young scorer or a shooter to the backcourt, sources told Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. Still, New York isn’t near any significant move and don’t intend to bring in anyone who would significantly impinge upon their future cap flexibility, Begley also hears.
Knicks team president Phil Jackson apparently likes Jimmer Fredette, Begley writes, but the former 10th overall pick who’s playing for New York’s D-League team said in the days following his initial arrival to the Westchester Knicks roster that he hadn’t heard from Jackson or coach Derek Fisher. Ticket sales, and not strictly Fredette’s on-court ability, fueled the team’s decision to select Fredette in the D-League draft, as Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote at the time.
Few Knicks players are thought of as all that valuable on the trade market, a group that includes only Kristaps Porzingis, Jerian Grant, Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez, Begley writes. Carmelo Anthony is presumably part of that group, too, but the Knicks have given no indication that they’ve thought about trading him, according to Begley. Anthony has a no-trade clause.
New York reportedly expressed interest in Jamal Crawford this summer, and the Clippers have apparently surveyed interest in him around the league in recent weeks. The Timberwolves have apparently made Kevin Martin available in trade discussions, though it’s unclear if the Knicks are eyeing him, and he has a player option worth nearly $7.378MM for next season, a number that could cut into cap flexibility. Brandon Jennings is on an expiring contract, but he’s only now returning from a torn Achilles tendon and Pistons coach/executive Stan Van Gundy said a few days ago that he’d yet to have a single trade conversation about him with other teams.
The Knicks have more than $55MM in guaranteed salary for next season. The team also has an open roster spot, giving them a measure of flexibility most of the league doesn’t have.
Who do you think the Knicks should target? Comment to share your ideas.
Calderon and two seconds for Jennings.
Or trade for Martin even though Martin isn’t a young player
Martin has an opt out after this year, but Minny has plenty enough PGs on the roster to take back Calderon, so that is out. I would do the Jose and 2 2nd rounders for Jennings, but I feel like SVG will have a better deal out there than that.
The talent difference, assuming Jennings can actually play, is worth the two 2nds, so I don’t see a fundamental issue with the value. The problem with that trade would be that it’s not enough incentive to cover the difference in value AND the extra year of Calderon being under contract. Even if Jennings can’t get back to full health or anything resembling it, I’d rather just roll with Blake and have the cap space this summer
Kristaps Porzingis valuable? I wonder if the Lakers and Sixers would like to have him.
Either play Grant or get a legit PG. Because Calderon is really holding KPs offensive progression back. He doesn’t even look his way etc alone set up good shots for him.
Why not actually play their best guards on the current roster? Just a thought. Langston Galloway, Afflalo, Melo, Porzingis, and Lopez haven’t played much together
It’s hard to predict these things in December, but with all the money likely to be thrown around next summer, it’s hard to imagine Martin opting in at such a low number.
Here comes Ty Lawson, Phil likes talented troubled souls
Knicks shoukd target Isiah Thoms of Celtics who need to move him as they have marcus smart and he’s a free agent in the spring Thomas is a healthy pure fast point guard a terrific player Ud offer Grant and Thomas or Oquinn not Derek Williams
Jennings is a career 39% FG shooter. How the heck does that help this team?