Knicks Rumors: Examining Deadline Trade Talks Surrounding Goran Dragic and More
No acquisition in the world will save the New York Knicks before Thursday afternoon's NBA trade deadline.
Finally ending a soap opera that thickened throughout the All-Star break, the organization announced on Wednesday through a press release at NBA.com that Carmelo Anthony will undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee. ESPN Stats & Info explains how a disastrous 10-43 campaign will get even worse when they return to action:
That's OK, because the final 29 games don't matter. In fact, they're better off losing to enhance their odds of landing a top draft pick. The trade deadline may represent the last eventful day of the season if team president Phil Jackson continues cleaning house.
Amar'e Stoudemire will now play for the Dallas Mavericks after a mercy buyout, leaving only a couple of tradable assets on the roster. Even if the Knicks wanted to go the other direction and snag a disgruntled talent, they don't appear to have the pieces to pull it off.
Nevertheless, let's take a look at their situation leading up to the trade window, which closes at 3 p.m. ET.
Goran Dragic Wants a Trade
Goran Dragic is not hiding his displeasure with the Phoenix Suns. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, they are working overtime to move the point guard after learning that he does not intend on re-signing with them this summer.
The Knicks are one of three glossy, yet tumultuous landing spots that has Dragic's eye:
"The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are destinations at the top of Dragic's wish list, sources said, with the Miami Heat also in the mix. But sources told ESPN.com that Houston, Sacramento and Boston all remain interested in pursuing a trade for him before the deadline, confident that they could sway Dragic to consider them long-term if they added him. The Rockets, Kings and Celtics are not on Dragic's list of preferred landing spots.
"
Paul Coro of AZCentral.com tossed more gasoline on the flames, relaying Dragic's vocal displeasure with the organization:
Before Knicks fans get excited, the pairing makes little sense for anyone. Although Phoenix has lost leverage now that teams know he's bolting town, New York has few trading chips to entice an early move.
The Knicks are constantly criticized for paying a steep price for Anthony, who many thought would have signed with them upon entering free agency that summer. Being proactive for a star scorer is one thing, but such urgency is foolish for someone averaging 16.2 points and 4.1 assists this season.
If they're interested in the 28-year-old, they should try their luck during the offseason. They don't need him to play out this year, and Dragic is not worth sacrificing what little they have left in hopes of gaining an upper hand to acquire him.
Shopping Calderon and Bargnani
Rather than adding assets, the Knicks are more likely to shove aside the few players still under contract. While Yahoo Sports' Marc. J. Spears listed their chances of trading Jose Calderon or Andrea Bargnani as "doubtful," The Record's Steve Popper left the door open:
"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.
"
In order to trade Bargnani, the Knicks must take on exorbitant salary to match his $11.5 million contract. That roadblock led them to free Stoudemire for no return, and Bargnani is even less appealing due to his injury history.
Since landing him in a puzzling deal before the 2013-14 season, the Italian big man has played just 46 games for New York, including four this season. He has averaged 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game during those rare moments of health.
It's unlikely anyone takes him, and Calderon isn't drawing a line of suitors either. The 33-year-old floor general will cloud New York's books for two more years, a suboptimal situation for someone who is hoisting his lowest assist average (4.6) since his rookie stint nine years ago.
Jackson admitted in a Wednesday press conference, via NBA.com's Adam Zagoria, that the market is dull:
Calderon, however, is at least capable of helping a contender off the bench, heating up with 52 percent field-goal shooting through six February contests. The Knicks saw him as a significant piece when sending Tyson Chandler to Dallas during the offseason, so maybe someone else will bite again.
If anyone is interested, Jackson and Co. shouldn't set the bar high. At this point, taking on a random expiring contract would aid their long-term plans to allure top-tier free agents to the Big Apple.
Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
