Knicks Rumors: New York Must Trade Assets for Picks Where Possible

With the New York Knicks well out of playoff contention, they have to be as active as possible before the trade deadline to help build toward the future.

The squad came into the year with relatively high expectations after narrowly missing the playoffs and re-signing Carmelo Anthony. However, the 2014-15 season has been one bad performance after another, leading to the worst record in the NBA at the All-Star break.

At this point, the only thing to do is be aggressive on the trade market to remove any attractive assets before it's too late.

New York has already started this process with a buyout of Amar'e Stoudemire. As Alan Hahn of MSG Network noted, a trade wasn't really possible with the former All-Star:

On the other hand, there are plenty of other players who could be dealt before the Feb. 19 trade deadline, according to Steve Popper of The Record:

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NBA sources said they believe the Knicks could move Jose Calderon, who still has drawn interest from other front offices despite his struggles this season. And Andrea Bargnani, who’s been a massive disappointment in his two years in New York, has been shopped and also could be bought out of his expiring contract.

Even little-used point guard Pablo Prigioni has been shopped to try to obtain a draft pick. 

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Jose Calderon is one of only three players on the roster with a guaranteed contract for next season, along with Anthony, Cleanthony Early and Tim Hardaway Jr. Considering his struggles, it seems clear the veteran point guard will not be part of the future in New York.

Not only do the Knicks have to listen to all offers, they have to actively shop him to anyone interested. 

Even though his current team has little use for him, Calderon could be a key bench piece for a contending team that wants to strengthen its backcourt and outside shooting. Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops explained the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings would be good fits:

Finding takers for Andrea Bargnani and Pablo Prigioni might be more difficult, but the Knicks don't need to play hard ball. Any sort of draft pick or piece that could help in the future would be acceptable at this stage.

While the Knicks do (finally) have a first-round pick, they don't have a second-round pick and a few future selections are already promised to others, according to RealGM. It will take more than just Jahlil Okafor or some other top prospect to turn this organization around.

At the same time, dealing picks for players at this stage would also be unhelpful. Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders noted the squad was interested in possibly acquiring veteran guard Goran Dragic from the Phoenix Suns.

Sam Amick of USA Today also reported interest in Miles Plumlee, also from the Suns:

Neither move would be smart at this time for a team that has nothing to gain the rest of the year. All that matters is clearing salary to sign free agents in the future and obtaining draft picks to add younger talent.

Team president Phil Jackson is happy about the position the franchise is currently in, telling reporters, "Things are working out just the way we want them to. They may not have gone splendidly in the first month, but you know, whatever. We’re forward. We’re forward thinking," via Marc Berman of the New York Post.

While Jackson might be satisfied, there is a lot more work to do, beginning with an aggressive trade deadline.

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