Daily Knicks
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
New York Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, Knicks newest player Courtney Lee, Knicks President Phil Jackson, and General Manager Steven Mills pose at the Madison Square Garden training center, on July 8, 2016 in Tarrytown, New York. / AFP / Bryan R. Smith (Photo credit should read BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty Images)
New York Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, Knicks newest player Courtney Lee, Knicks President Phil Jackson, and General Manager Steven Mills pose at the Madison Square Garden training center, on July 8, 2016 in Tarrytown, New York. / AFP / Bryan R. Smith (Photo credit should read BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty Images) /

Best: Signing Courtney Lee

Yes, Phil Jackson kept Carmelo Anthony in a New York Knicks uniform, but handed him a full no-trade clause in 2015. This proved costly when the front office wanted Anthony out and he did not want to leave.

Well, in 2016, Jackson made a positive signing, when he brought Courtney Lee in on a four-year, $48 million contract. That offseason opened the floodgates on the salary cap, so the price to sign Lee was higher than it would have been in 2015.

However, with a reputation as a solid starter that did a little bit of everything, the veteran guard’s cost was not excessive.

Jackson only saw the first season of Lee’s run, but it proved quality, with 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 45.6 percent shooting and 40 percent from three-point range.

In year two, after Jackson was out, Lee went for 12 points and similar numbers in the other departments, along with another 40 percent mark from behind the arc.

Nothing spectacular, sure, but Lee provided a stable force while the team dealt with adversity, including injuries to Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristaps Porzingis, and the first year without Carmelo Anthony.

Lee will enter year three with the Knicks in 2018-19, with this and one more year left on his deal.

Home/Knicks History