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NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks’ Most Realistic Trade Targets

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) celebrate following a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) celebrate following a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) dribbles the ball around Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) dribbles the ball around Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) in the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Martin, Minnesota Timberwolves

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 33

2015-16 Salary: $7,085,000

Contract Expires: Player Option for 2016-17

Slash Line: .375/.364/.886

Season Averages: 22.6 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 3PM

This may be the New York Knicks’ best chance to unload Jose Calderon. Ricky Rubio needs a mentor who can teach him how to shoot, and there’s no better man to serve in that capacity than Calderon—a fellow Spaniard and all-time shooter.

With Charley Walters of The Pioneer Press, amongst countless others, reporting that Kevin Martin is on the trading block, this could be a golden opportunity for the Knicks to make a move.

"Don’t think the Timberwolves haven’t tried to peddle Kevin Martin before Thursday’s deadline. Problem is there’s no market for the 33-year-old shooting guard whose salary this season is $7.1 million, fourth-highest on the team."

Acquiring Martin would help on the court and potentially aid New York’s efforts in lowering the salary cap.

If everything stays its current course, the Knicks will pay Jose Calderon $7,708,427 with a matching cap hit in 2016-17. Martin would make $7,377,500 if he exercises his player option for 2016-17, which is essentially a matching salary.

Calderon is a valuable leader in the locker room, but Martin is the type of player who would make the perfect sixth man in the Triangle Offense.

Martin doesn’t offer much on defense, a la Calderon, but he’s a sensational shooter who can operate off-ball or attack off the bounce and draw contact. There’s always the possibility that he declines his player option given the rising salary cap and a desire for more security than an individual year of employment, but the expectation is that he’ll opt in.

Another player on this list will complete the value of a Calderon for Martin swap.

Next: Star Guard of the Future?

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