New York Knicks: 6 Things To Look Forward To The Second Half Of The Season

Jan 10, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson addresses the media before the start of game against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

-Roster Upheaval

It is no secret that Phil Jackson is looking to clean house, bringing in players that fit the long term outlook of the team. It wasn’t the original plan, as Jackson figured the Knicks could contend for a playoff spot, but that plan was thrown out the window with the three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder. That trade signaled a white flag of sorts, as Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith were traded to the Cavaliers for essentially nothing more than cap space.

There could be more veterans moved leading up to the February 19th trade deadline, as Jackson and the Knicks have reportedly been shopping Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani and Pablo Prigioni hard. With the recent Achilles’ injury to Brandon Jennings, the Detroit Pistons could be in the market for a veteran point guard, and the Knicks currently have two they are looking to move.

This will be something to keep an eye on, as it will be interesting to see what kind of assets Jackson can turn spare parts into for the future. Getting draft picks and or cap space should be the goal for Jackson; if more teams suffer injuries like the Pistons have with Jennings, teams will come calling the Knicks to inquire about their veterans. It will then be up to Jackson to make the most of the trade offers he gets and try continue carving out cap space for the future.

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