New York Knicks: Jose Calderon’s Long-Term Value

Approaching the 2015 NBA Trade Deadline, the already active New York Knicks appear primed and ready for one last move. They’ve dealt a vast majority of the players who were under contract through 2015-16 and have cleared mountains of cap space in the process.

Approaching the February 19 deadline, there’s one final player with a hefty contract whom the Knicks could move: Jose Calderon.

Calderon was acquired in the Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton trade, thus enabling the Knicks to be more active in the 2015 period of free agency. While he’s a quality player, he’s also 33 and making upwards of $7 million per season through 2016-17.

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, the Knicks are actively searching for a team to take on Calderon’s contract.

"A source said the Knicks are actively trying to unload guard Jose Calderon’s contract. Calderon is owed $7.4 million in 2015-16, and $7.7 million in 2016-17."

That’s not entirely necessary.

While dealing him may seem like the optimal route to follow, thinking long-term suggests he’s worth keeping around. The money is an issue, and asking him to take a pay cut is unlikely to breed the desired result, but Calderon has value.

It all starts with the period of time in which New York has been dedicating its every move to: free agency.

Jan 26, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center

(33) passes the ball as Orlando Magic guard

(5) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Hunt for Marc Gasol, Part I

With just five months remaining until the 2015 period of free agency officially commences, there’s a thinner pool of star-caliber talent than expected. There’s available franchise-altering talent, but the depth of that pool is limited, at best.

The player whom the Knicks will inevitably target with a higher level of interest than any other: former Defensive Player of the Year and current MVP candidate Marc Gasol.

The Memphis Grizzlies are the incumbent, and a powerful one, at that. Mike Conley, Jeff Green and Zach Randolph have been paired up with Gasol to build a championship contender.

Thus far, Memphis is No. 2 in the Western Conference at 37-12.

The Los Angeles Lakers have Kobe Bryant, whom Marc’s brother Pau Gasol played with from 2007-08 to 2013-14. That tandem won two NBA championships, made a third Finals appearance and formed a notoriously close friendship.

Along with a number of other available options—about 29 to be exact—the Knicks will have serious competition in pursuing Gasol’s services.

Jose Calderon could be a driving force in landing the MVP candidate.

The Hunt for Marc Gasol, Part II

One of the most commonly overlooked facts is that Jose Calderon is the only player on the New York Knicks who has experience playing with Marc Gasol. Other facts exist, of course, but Calderon and Gasol’s playing relationship will inevitably come into play.

Since the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, Calderon and Gasol have been teammates on Spain’s national basketball team.

Clearly, playing together on the same national team doesn’t mean the duo will feel the need to join forces in the NBA. What’s undeniable, however, is that there’s a familiarity offensively between the two.

According to Michael Cohen of The New York Times, Calderon hinted at how strong Gasol would be in the Triangle Offense—or any system, for that matter.

"“I think he’ll be good in any system,” Calderon, who scored 13 points Monday, said of Gasol before the game. “I’m going to leave it like that. I think he’s the kind of player every team in the league is going to look at.”"

It’s tough to argue.

For those who haven’t actually watched Gasol play, he’s a one-of-a-kind performer. Not only is an offensive swiss army knife with every skill in the book, but he’s a position-less defensive player who controls the paint and patrols the perimeter in singular movements.

Gasol is essentially the Manuel Neuer of NBA defensive players.

For as prolific as he is on defense, Gasol’s offensive game is what makes him so attractive in New York.

[Marc] Gasol is essentially the Manuel Neuer of NBA defensive players.

His combination of low-post skills and pinch-post passing and shooting efficiency makes him the perfect Triangle Offense big man.

President of basketball operations Phil Jackson is likely aware of this considering he led Gasol’s brother Pau to two NBA championships as a head coach.

Current Knicks head coach Derek Fisher, who remains friends Pau Gasol, was on both of those title teams.

Between Calderon’s national team connection and Jackson’s coaching of his brother, the Knicks have a pair of influential presences to lure the NBA’s premier free agent. Calderon being on the same national team doesn’t make this a lock, but it’s certainly a strong bargaining chip.

Seeing as the Knicks’ every move has been future-oriented, it’d be an unnecessary change of pace to abandon the hope of signing Gasol.

Jan 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks guard Jose Calderon (3) jumps to pass between Philadelphia 76ers guard

II (7) and forward

(11) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Cap and Fit

Regardless of whether or not Marc Gasol signs with the New York Knicks, there’s no question that Jose Calderon’s contract is concerning. When weighing his production against the money due, it’s a comparison without balance.

What cannot be ignored are two absolutely vital factors: how Calderon fits and a rising cap.

Once the salary cap rises after the 2015-16 NBA season, Calderon’s final year of $7.7 million won’t be as much of a hit. The cap is expected to rise in an indescribable manner with the massive new television deal.

Thus, spending one more season paying Calderon won’t hurt very much in the long-run.

More important than his money is the way Calderon fits into the Triangle Offense. While he may not be the most productive player, he’s a sharpshooting facilitator who sees the floor well and has mastered the corner 3.

Whether or not it’s Gasol who forms the Triangle, having a cast of sharpshooters makes the system exponentially more effective.

For his career, Calderon is averaging 6.7 assists in 28.9 minutes and shooting 41.2 percent from beyond the arc. Even in his down-year in 2014-15, he’s converting 1.5 3-point field goals per game at a clip of 42.6 percent.

Whether or not he’s worth $7 million under the current salary cap, Calderon’s value will be immense under the pending changes.