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New York Knicks Should Strongly Consider Trading Jose Calderon

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By @JosephMCrevier

New York Knicks

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Back on June 25, 204, Phil Jackson struck his first major deal as the New York Knicks‘ President of Basketball Operations by acquiring Jose Calderon along with several others players and draft picks. Although the team acquired a variety of enticing pieces, this deal was primarily to unload Raymond Felton‘s absurd contract, in addition to Tyson Chandler‘s massive $14 million expiring deal.

Jackson was also insistent on attaining at least a second-round draft pick in the talented 2014 draft class, two picks that turned out to be youngsters Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Cleanthony Early. Antetokounmpo will likely spend the 2014-15 season playing in the D-League, while Early is expected to contribute immediately.

Knicks fans were also ecstatic to make a major upgrade at point guard with Calderon, a player who is the perfect fit to run the triangle offense. However, Jackson tapped in the team’s cap flexibility as Calderon has a killer three-years and nearly $24 million remaining on his contract. Ever since Amar’e Stoudemire blew out his knees, the Knicks have been focused towards the summer of 2015, when his monster salary comes off the books, so why affect that flexibility with a point guard who is incapable of leading the team to a championship?

First and foremost, $24 million is a ton of money to invest in a 33-year-old point guard who has never averaged more than 13 points per game, never averaged double-digit assists per game, and who has never led his team past the first round of the playoffs. In fact, in his 10 years in the NBA, Calderon has only appeared in a mere 18 playoff games, starting in just eight of them.

Secondly, New York has a legitimate opportunity to land either Rajon Rondo or Ricky Rubio, along with one additional All-Star caliber player such a Marc Gasol or Luol Deng. Each of whom are more talented and valuable than Calderon, who has barely ever played in a meaningful NBA game. If Jackson is presented with the chance to begin getting back some of those draft picks that previous GMs traded away, anticipate Calderon’s quick departure.

Joseph Crevier covers the New York Knicks for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, @JosephMCrevier, and Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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