The losing streak continues for the New York Knicks as the fans and apparently the team has given up on the short-term future of the team. The Knicks are showing very little hope and potential to make something out of the 2014-15 season, but the future could be extremely bright for the team as president Phil Jackson begins to work through his long-term plan. The Knicks are busy dumping salary and luxury tax issues by trades and waiving players which should give New York some hope as the team might not win another game for some time.
Jackson has already got the wheels in motion for the Knicks. The team traded JR Smith and Iman Shumpert. They waived all three players from that deal. Then they waived center Samuel Dalembert, ridding themselves of that money commitment. That certainly helps in the short-term for the Knicks while also prepping them for a big free agency run once players like Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani are off the payroll. Carmelo Anthony stressed his full confidence in Jackson, noting that he re-signed because he believes in the bigger picture for New York.
"I've got to trust in what's happening," Anthony said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "I've got to trust in the plan that they're trying to put in place. When I first committed back to New York, that was something I always said: I had to trust that them guys know what they're doing and believe in them guys. And that was one of the reasons I wanted to come back."
It is expected that Stoudemire and Bargnani will not be asked to re-sign in the upcoming offseason. Jose Calderon could also be a part of that departing group as the point guard is expected to be traded or released in the near future. So who is going to be part of the bigger picture for the Knicks?
Reggie Jackson is a priority for the Knicks both before the trade deadline and in free agency. The Oklahoma City Thunder came close to dealing the point guard in the trade of Dion Waiters, but backed out at the last minute. The Knicks are continuing to keep their eye on Jackson, but it is unlikely the Thunder move him this season. The Knicks will chase him in free agency with Rajon Rondo off the market.
Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge are potential candidates and have been on the radar all season. The issue is that both Gasol and Aldridge are currently playing for successful franchises that are aiming to re-sign both stars. Competition could get tough. Greg Monroe is an option as he becomes an unrestricted free agent along with Brandon Jennings who is reportedly on the outs in Milwaukee.