The New York Knicks are in going through the season full tank ahead (see what I did there?). Iman and JR are gone. Melo doesn’t know whether to play or not. And according to ESPN NY, the Knicks are planning to do a little more trading.
The New York Knicks are actively trying to trade veterans Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani as part of their ongoing roster clear-out, according to league sources.
But sources stressed to ESPN.com that trying to trade away Amar’e Stoudemire is not part of the club’s current plans.
I agree with the decision to keep Amar’e. He isn’t always there but when he is, he produces. And veterans are always needed for any team. Bargnani is. Well he’s just all over the place. A center that can’t average at least 8 boards a game? No thanks.
As for Calderón. Well that’s a little different. He is a good player. But I don’t think he’s starter material anymore. In these days where point guards are crazy good. Calderón won’t be enough.
Calderon, meanwhile, has no shortage of admirers around the league despite his struggles this season, averaging a mere 9.2 points per game on 40 percent shooting. But the two years left on his contract after this season — worth $15.1 million — could make it difficult to move the 33-year-old Spaniard, who arrived in New York in late June as the Knicks’ foremost return in the Tyson Chandler deal with Dallas.
Sources say Bargnani is a candidate to be waived next month if New York can’t find a deal for the former No. 1 overall pick and his $11.5 million expiring contract.
I would’ve waived Bargnani after last season. And knowing that he has injury problems now. There’s no argument. But I do understand that Phil Jackson would like to at least attempt to get something for him.
The Knicks got some work to do. The trade deadline is on the 19th February. So there’s a month and a week to get calling.
