Phil Jackson has waived the white flag.
It was pretty obvious before Monday night’s big three-team trade that the Knicks were in tanking mode — despite their string of losses they have been encouraging Carmelo Anthony to take time off to rest his sore knee. As much time as he wants. The rest of the season if he wants.
But Monday’s trade — sending out J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert in a clear salary dump — made it obvious the Knicks are going to clear the decks of as much salary as they can while hoping to push their first round pick this season (which they still have the rights to) as far up the lottery scale as possible.
So who else could be next out the door in New York? Try Jose Calderon. That according to Ken Berger at CBSSports.com.With the Knicks now owners of the worst record and perhaps worst roster in the league as Phil Jackson hits the reset button in New York, league sources say the next player on the move could be point guard Jose Calderon. But at age 33 with two years and more than $15 million left on his contract, that will be a difficult proposition. Calderon came to the Knicks in the trade that sent Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to Dallas….
The Knicks are expected to try to re-engage the Thunder in talks for point guard Reggie Jackson after being rebuffed in their efforts to land him in Monday night’s three-team deal, sources say. Jackson would fit into the $2.6 million trade exception New York received in the trade with Cleveland and Oklahoma City, but the Thunder have been steadfast in rebuffing trade offers for the point guard.
The Thunder think they have a legit shot at a title run this season — because they do. This team made the conference finals last season and played the Spurs at least even once Serge Ibaka was healthy. But to make that run again they need scoring beyond Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and that right now is Reggie Jackson. There is little chance the Thunder will decide to move Jackson now, bringing in Dion Waiters and going over the luxury tax line is a sign the Thunder are serious about a run. (They hope Waiters can be a big points contributor as well, but that remains to be seen.)
Calderon has struggled this season. He is shooting the three well, 42.5 percent, but is struggling to finish at the rim or knock down shots inside the arc, plus his assists are down and his turnovers are up. The question is how much of that is age and a natural decline, and how much of that is being on the Knicks with this roster. The challenge for the Knicks are a lot of the league’s best teams are set at point gourd and aren’t likely to take on the risk.
But Phil Jackson will try.
