The New York Knicks are preparing for massive changes. Phil Jackson knew he had his work cut out for him when he took over the organization as team president, but he did not expect changes to have to come so quickly as the Knicks continue to rack up losses. Things have gotten ugly with a 15-game losing streak along with a 5-35 record. Now, Jackson is taking part of the blame and nothing that a big roster cleanout is preparing to happen.
Jackson told the media that he takes partial fault in the dumpster fire that is the Knicks this season and he realizes that the personnel grouping is one of the biggest issues. Now, the team president is preparing for massive moves sooner rather than later as the only player safe from elimination appears to be Carmelo Anthony.
"This is a mea culpa. I take responsibility for it," Jackson said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "Obviously I didn't do the right thing in picking the group of guys that were here. A lot of it was etched in stone, we had guys with guaranteed contracts. But in anticipating that we were going to better, that we were giving hope to our fans that maybe there's a possible playoff opportunity here, you know, that goes on me. We now have to take responsibility and move forward and make things happen, that also goes on me. Now I have to do the job that I was brought here to do."
Jackson started getting the ball moving by trading away Iman Shumpert and JR Smith earlier in the week to the Cleveland Cavaliers. That trade netted them two trade exceptions and 2019 second-round pick. The three players acquired were promptly released. This move follows the trade of Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton last offseason. With the trade deadline approaching in February, Jackson confirms that the Knicks must continue to seek out deals to better shape the roster.
"We're all worried about the fact that money is not going to just be able to buy you necessary talent. You're going to have to have places where people want to come and play," Jackson, said. "But I do think that New York situation holds a high regard in players and agents that have contacted us. We have no lack of agents that have contacted us for their players. We still think that we have a really good chance to develop a team."
So who could be next to go. As of right now, the Knicks will have upwards of $25 million to spend in free agency after players like Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani are off the pay roll. Jose Calderon is expected to be the next trade target as the Knicks were next truly invested in his. Tim Hardaway Jr is the only player actually putting up points right now as Anthony is injured, but there are no guarantees.
Right now, Jackson is blaming the players on the roster for the team struggles. Smith told Cleveland media that the triangle offense is partially to blame as the guard said the system was simply too hard to learn and started to factor into the team's overall mentality on the court.
