The NY Knicks have struggled to start the season and at the trade deadline, names like Iman Shumpert, Amar'e Stoudemire, Jose Calderon, JR Smith or Andrea Bargnani could be options for contenders and this comes as Phil Jackson reportedly will look at Rajon Rondo, Marc Gasol and Greg Monroe as free agent targets next summer to join Carmelo Anthony in New York.
The Knicks knew that this season would be a bit of a struggle, but so far it has not been great and implementing the new offense has been a challenge. According to ESPN.com, Carmelo Anthony is dealing with a back injury and he ended up leaving the Houston Rockets game on Monday with spasms. The injury is not considered serious, but he could be limited or could sit out of the game against the Mavericks on Wednesday. The team has off Thursday and has a game on Friday against the Thunder.
Phil Jackson may look at making some trades if things keep going this way this season, as he could get some solid assets to build on in the future. The team has a five year plan and with free agents like Rondo, Marc Gasol and others hitting the market, the team could try and cut come payroll. Shumpert is heading towards restricted free agency and one reason the team did not reach a contract extension with him was to keep the cap as low as possible coming into next summer.
Stoudemire is also a prime target since his contract is expiring and even if the Knicks don't look at any blockbusters, they could add some solid pieces. The team also could look at getting some draft picks to help continue developing young players over the next few years and that could pay off down the line for Jackson and Anthony. JR Smith has been mentioned in trade rumors numerous times and this year could be the time he actually gets moved. Some contenders could be interested in Smith for his scoring touch, while Stoudemire and Shumpert each are solid defenders and could be contributors to playoff teams.
The Knicks are 4-11 this season and they have a tough schedule coming up with another two road games after losing in Houston and this comes after the team started 3-13 last year. The Knicks opened with that record last season and they could not pull out of that hole to make the playoffs and now they are in a similar situation. The team has lost three of the past four games now and they have the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder coming up next.
The Knicks may get to see Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook back for the Thunder and that is some bad timing with both players basically missing the entire season so far. The Knicks have the Mavericks and Thunder coming up before playing the Miami Heat and after that they have the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers and that will be at MSG for LeBron James and the Cavs. The Knicks have lost 10 games this month already and they are looking for some positive performances heading into December.
