The New York Knicks are done making moves this offseason. Unless by some miracle a team wants to make a deal for Amar'e Stoudemire or JR Smith in the coming weeks, the roster will stay as is. However, that does not mean that Phil Jackson is not already plotting his moves for the 2015 offseason. New York will have plenty of salary cap space to work with when a few key contracts come off the books, but is it a trade Jackson wants instead?
The first move of the Jackson era in New York was dealing Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for point guard Jose Calderon. The move saved the Knicks salary cap space and got them an upgrade at the point guard position. However, how long exactly will Calderon's time in New York last?
According to Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors, Calderon could be a trade piece at the mid-season deadline or next offseason. Jackson is not looking to be patient with the Knicks. The team president has plans on being as aggressive as possible in the next few seasons in order to try and win a championship. The Knicks will be suited to grab some talent in 2015, but a trade of Calderon could help even more. Calderon will not be a free agent until 2017 as he is set to earn just over $7 million in each of the next three seasons. However, he carries plenty of value in the league and could help the Knicks get something more.
New York has already been linked to several big names that will be free next summer. With players like Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani and Iman Shumpert all possibly out in 2015, the Knicks want upgrades. They have been mentioned among the likes of Greg Monroe, Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol. Calderon could easily be used in a trade for one of those players as teams will not look to have them walk away for nothing in return.
The Knicks would have to sweeten any deal with another player in a trade. That is where someone like Smith comes in handy. The guard has a $6 million player option next season which helps New York trade him since no one will want Smith for that much money unless the contract is expiring. Jackson has some moves up his sleeves and the Knicks can expect to only get better from here on out.
