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New York Knicks: Players Phil Jackson Needs to Trade For

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard Ty Lawson (3) dribbles the ball up the court against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Rockets won 111 – 105. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard Ty Lawson (3) dribbles the ball up the court against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Rockets won 111 – 105. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Ty Lawson, Houston Rockets

Position: Point Guard

Age: 28

2015-16 Salary: $12,404,495

Contract Expires: Team Option for 2016-17

Slash Line: .392/.337/.705

Season Averages: 23.4 MPG, 6.3 PPG, 3.6 APG, 1.8 RPG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 3PM

Ty Lawson and the Houston Rockets were expected to be a match made in heaven. There were stylistic flaws that had to be addressed, but Lawson was coming off of two star-caliber seasons with the Denver Nuggets.

If the New York Knicks are able to acquire Lawson, the move could forever alter the trajectory of the season and long-term future.

Lawson’s in the midst of a tumultuous season for the postseason-hungry Rockets. He’s averaging just 6.3 points on 39.2 percent shooting from the field, which has created the reasonable belief that Daryl Morey will trade Lawson by Thursday.

New York should be the team to gamble on Lawson’s talents and favorable contract.

The obvious risk is that Lawson may continue to underwhelm on the court. The appeal, however, is that Lawson waived his guaranteed money for 2016-17, giving the team the right to release him to free agency after the completion of the 2015-16 season.

In other words, the Knicks could potentially swap Jose Calderon—the type of offensive point guard who James Harden needs—and Kyle O’Quinn for Lawson, and receive significant cap relief in the process.

Next: More Than a Name

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