New York Knicks’ last December trade brought defensive-minded presence
A brief look at the last December trade the New York Knicks made, featuring one of their top players of the 2010s.
Dec. 15 officially starts “trade season” in the NBA, when free agents who signed in the most recent offseason can be traded. For a team like the New York Knicks, at 4-20, they could have the pieces to move, pending any of them become available.
In December 2018, NBA teams made a handful of trades. One of the most notable, George Hill went from the Cavaliers to the Bucks, contributing to an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals along the way. Once available to be moved, Trevor Ariza went from the Phoenix Suns to the Washington Wizards for Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers.
The Knicks could join the trade mill later this month, but their recent history doesn’t point to a laundry list of moves. In fact, their last December deal was a sign-and-trade during the lockout-shortened season of 2011-12 for Tyson Chandler.
What the Knicks received
Tyson Chandler, a free agent, was the obvious prize of the deal. A defensive stalwart for the title-winning Dallas Mavericks, this seven-footer was in the prime of his career at age 29. He parlayed that into a four-year contract with the Knicks, becoming the man in the middle for Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, both of whom were offensive-focused.
For the next three years, Chandler brought his defensive presence to Madison Square Garden, averaging 10.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He won the 2011-12 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and represented the Knicks in the 2013 All-Star Game, shining a light on his work for some of this franchise’s best seasons since 2000.
When Phil Jackson took over as president, he unceremoniously sent Chandler back to Dallas and recouped just Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, Jose Calderon and two second-round picks, which became Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Cleanthony Early. None of these players made a significant impact on the Knicks.
New York also received Ahman Nivins and Georgios Printezis, but neither man played in the NBA.
What the Knicks traded
Ronny Turiaf and a 2013 second-round pick were the outgoing pieces. Turiaf, who went to the Wizards as part of this three-team deal, was a back-up center in the frontcourt but held little value beyond shot-blocking ability. He played just one more full season, in 2012-13.
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Perhaps the New York Knicks add another December trade to this brief history. They have the short-term contracts to move and little to play for, postseason-wise, just 24 games in. The question is, will they take that step?