The NY Knicks may look at a Jose Calderon trade this season, as the LA Clippers have reportedly shown interest in a deal and Phil Jackson could make a move if he thinks Langston Galloway and Jerian Grant can handle starting and this comes as Kristaps Porzingis showed off his range and athleticism in workouts with Carmelo Anthony this month.
The Knicks have made some major roster improvements this offseason by adding Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Kyle O'Quinn and Derrick Williams, but Phil Jackson could be looking to do more. The Knicks have been looking to add some bench scoring and veteran experience at the guard position and Frank Isola reports that the team could be interested in a trade for Jamal Crawford with the Clippers. Crawford has come up in trade talks with all the moves that Los Angeles has made this offseason, with the Cavs, Miami Heat and Knicks showing interest.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, if the Knicks make a deal for Crawford, Calderon is the most likely target to move. The team only has so many pieces they can trade and want to trade and Calderon fits into that category. Other players are not eligible to be traded and the team is likely not interested in moving Galloway either. The Knicks have also reportedly been interested in a Ricky Rubio deal and the Wolves could look at bringing in Calderon if they make a move. Fox Sports reports the Knicks have checked in on Rubio and could be an option later in the season if Crawford is not dealt for Calderon.
Calderon is signed for this season and one more for over $7 million and that is a bit expensive for an aging point guard. The Clippers may want to add Calderon since Crawford likely will not be playing much this year anyway in his new role, while the Wolves could look at it as clearing cap space after next season if they pick up Calderon and move Rubio, who is signed for a few more years into 2018. The Knicks have previously been interested in Rubio and Jackson could pick up on those talks if the Wolves struggle this season.
The Knicks drafted Grant out of Notre Dame and the team has Galloway on the roster and they are the primary players behind Calderon on the depth chart. Jackson knows that Calderon has dealt with injury issues and that puts pressure on Galloway and Grant to perform well early in the season. Jackson is interested in getting another veteran point guard (obviously other than Calderon if they trade him) and the team reportedly looked into Norris Cole on the market. That deal is unlikely, as the Pelicans have Cole as a restricted free agent and are likely to keep him.
Porzingis is coming in with high expectations and while the Knicks know that he is a project player, the forward could get some significant playing time this season. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony worked out together in early August and Porzingis showed off some of his long range shooting skills. Porzingis needs work on the defensive end, but he has shown a solid offensive game this offseason in the Summer League and team workouts.
Check here for more on the Jose Calderon trade talk and for more on the Knicks roster. Check here for more on the workout with Porzingis and Anthony.