The New York Knicks are interested in a trade for Jamal Crawford this summer and the team could trade Jose Calderon to the Clippers to get it done and this comes as the team has high hopes for rookie Kristaps Porzingis, who is expected to split time with Derrick Williams in the lineup for Phil Jackson in his first season.
The Knicks have their roster mostly set after signing Kevin Seraphin and adding Wesley Saunders and Darion Atkins on camp deals, but there could be another major move in the works. According to the NY Daily News, Frank Isola reports that the Knicks have shown "interest" in acquiring Crawford from the Clippers and the team could consider a deal with Jose Calderon to get it done. The Knicks would get some solid bench scoring and veteran experience if they add Crawford to the mix.
Crawford has come up in trade rumors this summer in connection with the Miami Heat and the Cavaliers and now the Knicks are in the mix. The Knicks only real option in making a Crawford trade is to deal Calderon and according to Pro Basketball Talk, Calderon hinted that the Clippers could be interested in social media. This comes as other reports have the Knicks interested in Ricky Rubio and the team could look at moving Calderon in that deal if they pursue it.
Rubio reportedly is an option for the Knicks after the Wolves signed Andre Miller and drafted Tyus Jones, but no deal is close to happening. Ian Begley at ESPN New York writes that any deal with Calderon is "not imminent" and that there is no major movement on talks. Calderon has another year left on his deal after this one and that could make him tough to trade, but it might be worth it for a team like the Wolves, who could move Rubio's deal, which keeps him under control until 2019.
Crawford could be an option for the Cavaliers if the team doesn't sign back JR Smith, while Miami has been trying to deal Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen this offseason. LA could look at Chalmers as an option if they are interested in Calderon, as he would be a point guard option and he is coming into the final year of his deal. No trade is on the horizon right now, but clearly the Knicks are interested in making a move before camp.
The team has high hopes for rookies Jerian Grant and Kristaps Porzingis and Jackson realizes that both players likely will need time to develop into rotation player. Porzingis will not be a starter right away, but he has a solid offensive game and if he works on his defense in camp and early in the season, he could at least cut into the minutes for Derrick Williams.
The Knicks are confident in the front court additions with Robin Lopez and Williams, but getting some production out of Porzingis could be huge, as Lopez is not considered much of an offensive player. Porzingis has worked out with Carmelo Anthony this summer and the Knicks are going to push work for him on both sides of the floor in practice.
Check here for more on the trade interest in Crawford, Rubio and that interest and more on Porzingis and the Knicks roster moves and options heading into training camp.