Daily Knicks
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New York Knicks: Phil Jackson’s best and worst transactions

By Rob Wolkenbrod

GREENSBURGH, NY - JULY 08: Courtney Lee, Joakim Noah, and Brandon Jennings and President Phil Jackson of the New York Knicks attend a press conference at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility on July 8, 2016 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
GREENSBURGH, NY - JULY 08: Courtney Lee, Joakim Noah, and Brandon Jennings and President Phil Jackson of the New York Knicks attend a press conference at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility on July 8, 2016 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 3: Iman Shumpert #21 and J.R. Smith #8 of the New York Knicks react during a timeout in the 4th quarter as they defeat the Celtics 88-80 in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 3: Iman Shumpert #21 and J.R. Smith #8 of the New York Knicks react during a timeout in the 4th quarter as they defeat the Celtics 88-80 in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Worst: The return package for JR Smith and Iman Shumpert

Phil Jackson found success in the draft, but his trades did not receive acclaim. A few marquee ones were made, but none of them panned out for the New York Knicks, especially the January 2015 trade of JR Smith and Iman Shumpert.

The Knicks brought Jackson on near the end of the 2013-14 season, so he was in the midst of changing this team to his liking and trying to clear space for free agency. So, about halfway through 2014-15, he sent Smith and Shumpert to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Lance Thomas, Lou Amundson, Alex Kirk and a 2019 second round pick.

This package underwhelmed, even in a roster space-clearing move. Thomas remains with the team but does not have a major role, Amundson was strictly a role player in the frontcourt, Kirk never found steady ground in the NBA and the pick was acquired five years in advance. For impactful backcourt players Smith and Shumpert, it did not seem the Knicks received a proper return.

Meanwhile, Smith and Shumpert became quality role players on teams that went to the NBA Finals from 2015-18 (Shumpert was around until 2017), and they won the 2016 championship.

Cleveland succeeded in this deal, when they gave up almost nothing for players who helped them win. New York no longer has Amundson and Kirk, and the 2019 pick will finally convey in June 2019.

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