The New York Knicks lead the NBA with 32 losses, and only have 5 wins near the midway point of the season. Now, President Phil Jackson has signaled that the team is building for the future. On Monday night, the Knicks dumped G J.R. Smith‘s large contract onto the Cleveland Cavaliers, while also relinquishing G Iman Shumpert. In return, New York received three players that they will waive, and a 2019 second round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder, who received G Dion Waiters from the Cavs. Overall, the Knicks freed up cap space for this upcoming off season, and added a draft pick.
Overall, this was a good way to jump-start the future for the Knicks. They needed to move Smith and Shumpert to free up some playing time for budding young G Tim Hardaway, Jr. Outside of G Shane Larkin and Fs Cleanthony Early and Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks’ entire roster will need to be revamped. Of course, the team should have one of the top picks in the NBA Draft due to their record, which will allow them to add an impact player, such as Duke C Jahlil Okafor or Kentucky C Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Knicks will also be able to add an impact player via free agency, as they will be one of the team’s with the highest amount of cap space this off season. There are a number of options that could be intriguing for the Knicks, such as Clippers’ C DeAndre Jordan, TrailBlazers’ F LaMarcus Aldridge or even former Knick, G Jeremy Lin.
While New York will waste the rest of what is already a lost season, there is reason to have hope now. Phil Jackson is trying to paint the picture, and has opened the door to the future with this trade. The Knicks should be a much improved and interesting bunch to watch come October.
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