Jose Calderon is aware his future is far from certain. The point guard was traded to the New York Knicks with the expectations that he would help stabilize the position and be a key role player for Carmelo Anthony. However, that never fully transpired as calf and Achilles issues plagued his entire season. With trade rumors surfacing, Calderon is hoping to get a second chance.
Calderon is not playing for the remainder of the season, but the point guard told Newsday.com that he hopes to be a part of the rebuilding process despite missing 13 games at the start of the season and 25 at the end of the season. He only managed 9.1 points per game and 4.7 assists which was one of his worst statistical seasons of his career.
"I really want to stay here," Calderon said, via Newsday.com. "I think they want me here. That's the feeling I got. I think I really can help this team next year. It wasn't the best season. I'll be back to Jose Calderon. I think it will be easier for me next year with all we're trying to do with the group of guys we're going to have and the guys who are going to stay. Just being here in this culture, being here with a coach and with what we want to do, it will be good."
The issue for Calderon is there are more factors working against him than for him. The point guard has two more years remaining on his contract along with $15 million. That is not ideal for a team rebuilding. Team president Phil Jackson has tried numerous times to trade Calderon. They wanted to move him at the mid-season deadline and failed to fine a deal. Jackson expressed his disappointment which means he will force a deal this offseason.
Calderon is also expendable. The Knicks will have $30 million to spend in free agency and plan to chase an elite point guard like Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic or potentially Brandon Jennings. Yes, they need more than one point guard, but the Knicks have benefitted from the rise of Langston Galloway who could easily rotate in with whomever comes during free agency. Galloway is a lot cheaper than Calderon and the Knicks like him.
"To come in and do what they've done -- they've changed our team," Fisher said. "They've changed our culture because they're great young men. They come to work with the same attitude every day and the same mind-set, and despite our record this season, we're better off for having had them."
The only way Calderon stays is if deals for Rondo or Dragic do not get complete. If the Knicks miss out on their top choices than Calderon could be considered to stick around, but that is unlikely.