Is Jose Calderon a Stretch Provision Candidate for the New York Knicks?

Marc Berman of the New York Post reported earlier this month that Jose Calderon wanted to come back to the New York Knicks next season.

"“I’m pretty confident I’m going to be here,’’“I want to be here. That’s the feeling I got from the coaching staff. That’s what I feel about next year. But you’re only one phone call away for something to happen. I always got to be prepared. It’s how the NBA works. I don’t want to get out now because the good part is coming. You don’t want to leave now.’’"

Calderon is saying all the right things and it sounds like he wants to return to New York, but do the Knicks want him back? Calderon was extremely limited in the 2014-2015 season, playing only 42 games due to a calf strain and Achilles strain.

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On top of that Calderon already looked washed up the year prior with the Dallas Mavericks. Calderon in the first time since his rookie year averaged less than five assist per game with Dallas at 4.7 assist per game. All Calderon really did for the Mavericks was jack up three-pointers, which he was actually quite good at, knocking down 2.4 three-pointers per game at 44.9%. Rick Carlisle understood what Calderon brought to the table, giving Calderon the green-light to shoot from downtown, attempting a career high 5.2 three-pointer per game with Dallas.

Derek Fisher did not give Calderon the same freedom and Calderon regressed from beyond the arc. Calderon made one less three-pointer per game at a 41.5% clip. Calderon also again dished out less than five assist per game for the second straight season in a row, averaging 4.7 assist per game.

Calderon who turns 34 years old at the end of September with declining skills and has two years remaining on his contract, set to make $15,111,239 may be a candidate for the stretch provision. Although not common, this season the Detroit Pistons’ front office decided to use the stretch provision on Josh Smith. The Milwaukee Bucks were also forced to use the stretch provision on Larry Sanders when Sanders revealed he was dealing with depression and mental health issues.

What is the Stretch Provision?

As per CBAFaq.com the stretch provision allows the team waiving a player to spread the salary cap hit equally throughout a prolonged period of time. The salary would be spread out over twice the remaining length of the contract, plus one year.

"If the contract or extension was signed under the current CBA, the remaining guaranteed salary is paid over twice the number of remaining years, plus one, per the Stretch provision:If the player’s salary payments are spread-out using the Stretch provision, the team may elect to stretch the salary cap charge to match2. For example, if two seasons remain on the player’s contract when he is waived, and the payment is spread-out over five years per the Stretch provision, then the team may elect to spread-out the salary cap hit over those same five years."

If New York cannot find a willing trade partner to take Calderon off the Knicks’ hand this may be a viable option. Although if New York does not have the appropriate amount of depth in the back-court Calderon could play sparingly but remain on the bench as a mentor to young guards Langston Galloway and Tim Hardaway Jr.