Fansided

Escape from New York: Jose Calderon next to depart from sinking Knicks ship

By Brandon C. Williams

Dec 27, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks guard Jose Calderon (3) dribbles the ball as Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) defends in the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks guard Jose Calderon (3) dribbles the ball as Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) defends in the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The disaster movie that is the New York Knicks’ season will likely continue before the trade deadline, as Jose Calderon is expected to be moved.

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Can things get worse for the New York Knicks this season?

(Stop. Don’t answer that)

With Amar’e Stoudamire’s departure from Madison Square Garden on Monday and the possibility of All-Star Carmelo Anthony shutting it down for the remainder of the season, the 10-43 Knicks may still not be done with their scorched earth policy of paring their roster, as point guard Jose Calderon is expected to be next to be moved/granted parole.

Calderon has averaged just 9.3 points and 4.6 assists in 39 games, yet has received a handful of interest from other teams in search of veteran backcourt experience. The 11-year veteran from Spain is shooting just over 42 percent from the field while delivering at a poor 12.14 PER clip, but the fact he is shooting 43.6 percent from 3-point range while connecting at 96 percent from the free throw line has appealed to several teams, particularly those who miss out on acquiring Goran Dragic from the Suns.

The Knicks may not be finished once Calderon is moved. Disappointing forward Andrea Bargnani and his $11.5 million salary stands a very good chance of being brought out of his expiring contract. New York has also tried to peddle off Bargnani, who has averaged 6.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in four games this season, but (to little shock) has not found a sucker…err, team to make a connection with.

So what does this leave the Knicks, who will likely open the second half with J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, Stoudamire, Anthony, Calderone, Bargnani and even Pablo Prigioni either traded or bought out?

Well, those high-end seats at MSG will be (somewhat) filled for the likes of Langston Galloway, Quincy Acy, Shane Larkin and Tim Hardaway, Jr. getting the bulk of the action. Galloway, who began the season in the D-league, would become the Knicks’ leading scorer at 11.1 points per game.

At this point, Knicks fans must be wondering if this season is just the darkest before the light comes in 2016-17. Um, uh….not quite.

While the Knicks, who currently have the best chance to win the lottery, do have their first pick for the June draft (ESPN.com’s Chad Ford projected Duke’s Jahlil Okafor heading to NYC), the team does not have a second round selection and currently has no picks for the 2016 draft. Anthony and Cleanthony Early are the only players who have guaranteed contracts for next season, which could open the door for the Knicks to be aggressive in what will be a less-than-stellar crop of unrestricted free agents this summer.

Don’t hold your breath, Knicks fans. Happy days won’t be coming anytime soon.

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