Knicks: Exploring Trade Options for Jose Calderon

With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and $27 million in cap room, the New York Knicks are well on the path to success. Add perhaps at Top 3 player in the NBA in Carmelo Anthony and you have a great foundation for a successful team.

However, the Knicks have dead weight in the form of Jose Calderon. Indeed, the trade which sent Tyson Chandler to Dallas is looking worse and worse by the minute. The defensive specialist could have been dealt mid-season to the Phoenix Suns for Goran Dragic, but let’s forget that; either D’Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay will be a Knick a month from now.

Calderon had an atrocious year, combining poor play with injuries. He averaged just 9.1 points per game to go along with 4.7 assists in 30.2 minutes per game.

Trading him will be difficult but the Knicks actually do have some assets. No, the No. 4 pick isn’t one of them.

Trade No. 1: Charlotte Hornets

Jan 17, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard

Lance Stephenson

(1) stands on the court during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets defeated the Pacers 80-71. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Knicks get: Lance Stephenson

Hornets get: Jose Calderon, Tim Hardaway Jr, 2018 second round pick, 2019 second round pick.

If the Knicks end up selecting D’Angelo Russell in the Draft, Phil Jackson should immediately call the Charlotte Hornets’ front office to make this happen. Why, you ask? Well, Russell is a lights out shooter with slick handles, but he struggles with getting to the basket and defending. These are things Stephenson excels at doing. He’d also make up for some of Carmelo Anthony‘s defensive deficiencies on the wing.

The New York native bringing his massive energy to the Garden would be a recipe for success.

The Hornets would take this because their backup point guard situation is horrific as Mo Williams is a free-agent this summer. If he re-signs, there is no guarantee he’d agree to not be a starter after his fantastic end to the season. Furthermore, the Hornets are in desperate need for 3-point shooters. Calderon and Hardaway Jr. would both be great fits as Calderon could back up Kemba Walker without complaining. Hardaway Jr. would provide some much needed offense on the wing and would complement the defensive-minded Michael-Kidd Gilchrist.

Trade No. 2: Philadelphia 76ers

While I know I said the No. 4 pick would not be involved, here’s what I’m proposing:

Knicks get: 3rd pick overall in the 2015 NBA Draft

76ers get : 4th pick overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, Jose Calderon, Tim Hardaway Jr. 2018 second round pick, 2019 second round pick.

The Knicks would do this because they would move into the Top 3 and unload Jose Caldron’s contract.

The 76ers, meanwhile, would do this because they may not be sold on either Mudiay or Russell and having the Knicks pick one of the two guards first takes some pressure off of them. On top of that, they have mountains of cap room and huge needs at both guard and wing positions, specifically for offensive-minded shooters like Calderon and Hardaway Jr. Adding those two future 2nd round picks are deal sweeteners for a team that loves to stack up on assets.

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