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New York Knicks: Five bad contracts worth trading for with assets attached

By Rob Wolkenbrod

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 29: Solomon Hill #44 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball up the court during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on October 29, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 29: Solomon Hill #44 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball up the court during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on October 29, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Ryan Anderson, Heat ($15.6 million)

Once upon a time, Ryan Anderson was a rising stretch power forward for the Orlando Magic, working off Dwight Howard. He parlayed that into a run next to a young Anthony Davis, but injuries, nonexistent defense and a terrible contract tanked his value by age 29.

Now, Anderson is a salary-cap cog. This happened with the Houston Rockets, falling out of Mike D’Antoni‘s rotation. That led to a cast-off trade with the Phoenix Suns, where he barely played. Six months later, the Miami Heat took the 6-foot-10 veteran.

Anderson would have no impact on the New York Knicks in 2019-20, but his salary has some value. So they can take him from the Heat, who can clear cap space from their constricted payroll; it is projected at $129 million before the 2019 NBA Draft.

Moving Anderson does not dodge Miami from salary cap red, but it takes them away from the luxury tax threshold, which is a projected $132 million for 2019-20.

That takes the Heat one step closer to cap space, something they will not have until 2020. They can always wait another season for this to happen and not forfeit assets as a result, but if 2019’s free agent crop tempts them enough, it can mean Anderson is on the chopping block, again, with the Knicks as a viable suitor to eat his money.

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