The future of Jose Calderon with the New York Knicks is murky, but not over just yet. After getting traded from the Dallas Mavericks at the start of last season, Calderon never developed into being Carmelo Anthony's right-hand man like the team was hoping. He spent much of the season injured and as a result was constantly brought up in trade talk. Now with yet another trade looming, is Calderon going to start the season in New York or somewhere else.
According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the Knicks are showing interest in Jamal Crawford and could offer Calderon to the Los Angeles Clippers. Sportando reported that Calderon was going to be offered in a trade deal for Ricky Rubio if the Minnesota Timberwolves shopped the point guard this season. However, ESPN's Ian Begley refuted both reports. The Knicks' Insider reported that right now league sources are saying no trade of Calderon is imminent.
Calderon is a good trade piece because while he did not have a good season last year, he is a talent on the court. However, the point guard is owed over $7 million this season and over $7 million next season. At 35, no one is willing to take that money on which is why New York is also desperate to trade him.
The issue is whether or not the Knicks can afford to let Calderon go. Without the veteran, their point guard rotation is Langston Galloway and Jerian Grant. Galloway was a breakout star last year thanks to Calderon's injuries, but team president Phil Jackson has spoken out saying he is unsure if the second-year player can carry the momentum into this season. The Knicks only gave him a partially guaranteed contract as a result. Grant is a rookie and while he showed promise with the triangle offense in summer league play, he is a big unknown.
Keeping Calderon would give the Knicks a good veteran voice behind the two young players while offering some insurance if either were to struggle. Of course getting a deal for Rubio, Eric Bledsoe or Brandon Jennings would easily solve all of the Knicks' problems, trading him for Crawford might just be counter-productive this season. Keeping Calderon is not the worst idea if the Knicks cannot get someone elite at the position in return.
