According to ESPN.com's Ian Begley, the New York Knicks are seeking help in their backcourt as players like Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant continue to struggle. Head coach Derek Fisher admitted he is struggling to find the right mix of players to surround Carmelo Anthony with as a trade could be the best way the team finds an upgrade. With several options becoming available at the deadline, Brandon Jennings is not expecting to be one of them.
According to Jennings via the Detroit Free Press, the NBA is a business, but he is not going to be the one seeking a trade from the Pistons. The point guard has been out with an Achilles injury and now that he is healthy and ready to play, the trade rumors have begun. The Pistons have been playing with Reggie Jackson as their starter and franchise player following a big contract extension while Steve Blake has been a serviceable backup. According to Jennings, he is seeking a role with the Pistons upon his return and not anyone else.
"If I've got to earn my second spot, then let's practice for it. Let's go play for a spot. I'm with it. I'm up for it," Jennings said, via the Detroit Free Press. "We are playing well right now. So I know I can't just come in and just take it like that. But hopefully, we can get a couple practices in, and then we can see what happens then."
Van Gundy made it clear that the Pistons are not shopping Jennings which means the Marc Berman reports from the New York Post saying the Knicks were in talking to acquire the point guard are false. The Knicks are still looking at point guards, but Jennings is not appearing to be one of them. Could Jamal Crawford be the favored option?
Crawford has been on the trade block for the better part of a year now and the Knicks have shown interest in the guard in the past. He is currently playing well for the Los Angeles Clippers, recently scoring 21 points off the bench, but many believe that changes are coming to the team and Crawford could be the odd man out as his value rises. According to reports from ESPN.com, Crawford is available for the taking though it is unclear what his price tag would be.
According to Begley, the Knicks might be targeting players in trades, but they only have interest in contracts that will not impact their salary cap in 2016. The team wants expiring deals or team options in order to avoid taking on any added salary burdens. Jennings, Crawford and even Ty Lawson all fit that mold. The question now is whether or not the Knicks are serious about a deal.