The New York Knicks continue to suffer minor setbacks. Whether it is a bad game from Kristaps Porzingis or an injury, the team is having a hard time gaining consistency. That was clear against the Charlotte Hornets when the team simply could not close after a late-game comeback. To make matters worse, Carmelo Anthony exited early with an injury that he is trying to downplay to the media.
According to Newsday.com, Anthony left the game against Charlotte early with knee soreness on the knee he had surgically repaired in the offseason. This is of course cause for concern no matter how much Anthony tried to downplay the issue to the media. He stressed that it is merely soreness, but he said something regarding the ankle injury that kept him out two games. The Knicks are 0-4 without Anthony this season and cannot afford for the knee injury to flare back up.
"It's just general soreness," Anthony said, via Newsday.com. "I don't think it's nothing to worry about. I'm not too concerned. It will just be about healing and getting back right. The good thing is we don't play again until Tuesday, so I've got two days to try and get ready for that."
The Knicks are trying to gain chemistry and not having Anthony on the court hurts that effort. The Knicks are trying to evaluate players for the short-term and long-term future of the franchise with the trade deadline approaching. The focus has been on the backcourt as the Knicks try and get more scoring help for Anthony. Jose Calderon has struggled while Jerian Grant and Langston Galloway have yet to find their rhythm.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN.com, Calderon is not getting traded in any deals along with Grant. Calderon represents a solid veteran point guard, but his contract and low stats are unwanted by any team. Calderon is signed through one more season and the Knicks might be better off finding a trade after the end of the season rather than in the middle. Galloway could be a trade target given his contract status, but he has been solid coming off the bench while also seeing time as a starter.
The Knicks have been linked to trade deals involving Brandon Jennings and Jamal Crawford along with a home run deal for Mike Conley. The chances any of these trades happen are slim to none. According to Begley, the Knicks do not want to make any deals that would impact their salary cap past this season. Chances are high that they finish the year with the same roster and then make moves come the offseason.
