New York Knicks Place Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon On Trading Block
New York Knicks President Phil Jackson is not wholly done with the fire sale of the New York Knicks. The team has reportedly placed stretch four Andrea Bargnani and starting point guard Jose Calderon on the trading block.
The team has already jettisoned some of its rotation players sending Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith to the Cleveland Cavaliers for second round picks and salary cap relief. They have also recently waived centre Samuel Dalembert, which is the signal of the roster re-shaping process which could extend up to the trade deadline. The Knicks are mired in the worst start in franchise history at 5-35 and is also contemplating on shutting down recently re-signed superstar Carmelo Anthony for the rest for the season.
"The New York Knicks are actively trying to trade veterans Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani as part of their ongoing roster clear-out, according to league sources. But sources stressed to ESPN.com that trying to trade away Amar'e Stoudemire is not part of the club's current plans," Marc Stein and Ian Begley shared in their exclusive report for ESPN.
With the Knicks owning their pick in the upcoming 2015 NBA Draft, Jackson is looking to rebuild the roster through the draft and by acquiring young players. It is unclear if the Zen Master has any plan in place for the oft-injured Stoudemire who is in the last year of his contract. The former Rookie of the Year could sign for a lesser amount in the summer and take on a mentorship job for the prospective young Knicks while still being able to contribute sporadically from the bench.
Bargnani is one of the more maligned Knicks after being acquired from the Toronto Raptors for a future first rounder. The Italian sharpshooter has disappointed in his stint with the club and has only played 22 minutes total this season due to assorted injuries. It has also been reported that if there are no takers for the big man, the team might consider waiving him ahead the end of the season.
Calderon is being coveted by some teams on some level due in part to his ability to shoot the rock and take care of the ball while doing distributor duties. His final 2 years, which costs around $15 million, is the main deterrent for trading him away to a team needing a veteran point guard.
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