The New York Knicks wrapped up the trade deadline in quiet fashion. After buying out the contract of Amar'e Stoudemire, the only deal the team was able to get was a trade for Pablo Prigioni who was sent to the Houston Rockets in exchange for two second-round draft picks along with guard Alexey Shved. This was not the move Phil Jackson had in mind as he desperately attempted to move both Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon at the deadline with players like Goran Dragic and Reggie Jackson in mind. With the deadline gone, what will the Knicks do next?
New York's focus is on surviving the final two months of the season and getting into free agency where they will have some money to spend. Carmelo Anthony is officially out for the year meaning the pressure sits on Calderon, Tim Hardaway J, Langston Galloway and Lou Amundson to carry the team in the second half of the year. However, after the season wraps up, essentially anyone can be available for trades. Jackson has admitted that the personnel group simply is not right in New York and changes are on their way.
According to ESPNNewYork.com, a trade for Calderon will still be a priority once the offseason begins. The point guard simply is not worth the contract he is signed to and Jackson was never truly committed to him in the first place as he had hoped Calderon was going to be a trade asset instead. After that, free agency is a priority, but it is unclear exactly who will be available. Dragic and Jackson are on new teams, but could still opt to test the market along with Rajon Rondo. The Knicks wanted to give Dragic a max contract in free agency and might still stand a chance at making that happen.
Players guaranteed to be pursued with big money are LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Greg Monroe and Roy Hibbert. The Knicks are going to try for a number of big names on the market because they will have the money to do so. According to ESPN, the team could have upwards of $27 million to $30 million in cap space to work with next year which is a good sign for the future. The trade deadline might not have been eventful, but Jackson has big plans for the offseason.
