The NY Knicks are struggling this season and that could lead to trade deals at the deadline, as names like Amar'e Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert, Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani or JR Smith could be shopped, as that would help clear cap space for next summer when Phil Jackson can potentially target names like Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe and Robin Lopez if they hit the market.
The Knicks have won just four games this season and while the team is hopeful for a turnaround, Phil Jackson could use this to try and set things up for next year. Marc Stein at ESPN.com writes that the Knicks could consider trading players like Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert, Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani or Smith to help free up space and set up for next year, as there will be a number of free agents on the market. Stein posits that the Knicks will chase "one or two" of the top names among Rajon Rondo, Greg Monroe, Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Kevin Love is not a trade option obviously and while he has said that he plans on staying in Cleveland, some in the media have continued to ask about him opting out to be a free agent. Love could do that and then sign back with the Cavaliers after the team traded a boatload to get him, but writers like Howard Beck and others have speculated that if he hits the market, he will listen to other teams. The Knicks could try and sway Love to join Carmelo Anthony if the Cavs don't win this season, while the Lakers also surely will be looking at what his plans are.
Shumpert has been a solid player for the Knicks since being drafted, but the team did not engage on a contract extension and now he could be traded ahead of restricted free agency. Shumpert will hit the market if he stays and the Knicks likely could get a draft pick for him if they look to make a deal. The Thunder and other teams looked into a trade last year, but the Knicks held back.
The Knicks added Jose Calderon this offseason and while they like him as a point guard, the team could look at trading him down the stretch if they don't improve. Stoudemire is a piece that teams could look at adding heading to the playoffs along with Bargnani ,as both have expiring contracts coming up. Shumpert is likely to leave if he gets the chance, as the Knicks likely will not sign him to a new deal to keep the cap open for 2015 and then in 2016 in the hopes of getting Kevin Durant.
The Knicks are just 4-15 this season and they basically matched the 3-13 from last year and now Phil Jackson has a tough job ahead of him. The team gave him a five year deal along with Derek Fisher and Carmelo Anthony and that means they need to get to work and turn this thing around. The Knicks are ranked 27th in scoring and 11th in points allowed this season and with just four wins they are not even totally out of it in the eastern conference.
