New York Knicks Rumors: Lineup Changes Coming?

New York Knicks Rumors: Could a change be coming to the starting lineup, with Jose Calderon being the causality?

You thought New York Knicks rumors were done for with the NBA Trade Deadline passing last week? Think again. The Knicks’ season has quickly spiraled out of control. After hitting the .500 mark on January 20th with an overtime victory against the Utah Jazz, things have gone in the wrong direction for the Knicks. They have gone 2-12 since that date, as Carmelo Anthony’s knee began giving him trouble and throwing the Knicks out of rhythm.

With another embarrassing loss coming Monday night at Madison Square Garden against the Toronto Raptors, which the Knicks lose 122-95, frustrations began to show. Anthony had a very candid post game presser, expressing frustration with how things were going and beginning to have his patience tested with all of the losing.

Anthony was not the only player to express furstration following another ugly game. Rookie Kristaps Porzingis also voiced the frustrations he and his teammates are sharing, saying, “I think that frustration is inside of all of us. Everybody’s frustrated. We all have our frustrations, our individual frustrations, and then as a team, we’re frustrated, obviously. But we are staying together, trying to find a way to win games.”

Things have not been going the Knicks way recently, and when team’s lose changes are usually quickly to follow. The Knicks made a big one when they fired Derek Fisher, naming Kurt Rambis the head coach on an interim basis. He has not made many changes to the rotation Fisher used, but that may be changing soon. Rambis was asked about a potential change to the lineup, which Ian Begley shared the answer to on his Twitter account.

Kurt Rambis on possibly making a change to the starting lineup: "When you're losing, you are considering a lot of things. We'll see."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 23, 2016

With the Knicks playoff chances on life support, it is probably a little late to be making a change, but it would be nice to see something happen. The only question is, what will that change be? According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the change could be coming to the Knicks starting backcourt.

Kurt Rambis hinted that he may tinker with the Knicks starting lineup. Jose Calderon could be demoted.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) February 23, 2016

Calderon has come under fire constantly this season as his defensive shortcomings have put a lot of pressure on the rest of his teammates. Also, it seems almost on a nightly basis an opposing point guard is having their way with the Knicks, as Calderon does not have the foot speed to keep up with the quicker, more athletic point guards that the NBA is full of.

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It leaves the Knicks at a disadvantage almost every night, something that has been a problem for too many seasons. If Calderon is in fact removed from the starting lineup, who will replace him? Depending on who you ask, you will get different answers. The logical answer would be Langston Galloway, who stepped into the starting lineup when Calderon was sidelined with a groin injury.

But, the Knicks are not a logical franchise and it would surprise no one if Sasha Vujacic is inserted into the starting lineup. That is the move that Knicks fans are afraid of happening, but should be fully prepared to see. The Knicks, from the front office to coaching staff, seemed to be enamored with Vujacic because he is a veteran and has knowledge of the Triangle Offense from his time with the Lakers.

Without a first round pick in the 2016, it makes sense for the Knicks to insert someone into the lineup for Calderon that they think will help them win games. Galloway is probably that player, but with the playoffs looking less and less likely with every passing day, the Knicks need to begin evaluating their roster and seeing who may or may not be pieces worth retaining.

No matter what happens with Calderon and if he is removed from the starting rotation or not, the Knicks need to find more minutes for Jerian Grant. The rookie point guard has some skills that the Knicks could benefit from, such as his athleticism on the perimeter which helps him on the defensive end and break down the defense.

His only downside right now is that team’s literally do not have to defend him outside the paint as he has been unable to prove he can consistently knock down a perimeter jump shot. But, he has shown that when given the chance he can be a major contributor.

One player that can do that is Jimmer Fredette. The Knicks signed Fredette to a 10-day contract on Monday, as he made his Knicks debut in the same night. Despite the blowout, Fredette only played two minutes, but got the loudest cheer out of the crowd when he knocked down his first shot attempt as a Knick; you guessed it a three-pointer.

The Knicks have said that Fredette will have to earn his minutes and a spot on the team, but it would not hurt to give him some minutes as well. His three-point shooting prowess is something the Knicks could really use. He also has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, so he should give the Knicks productive minutes if given the chance.

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While a move to the bench for Calderon looks to be on the horizon, Vujacic should be taking a seat right next to him on the bench. There is no reason to give Vujacic minutes as the Knicks should be evaluating their younger talent in Grant, Galloway and Fredette in the backcourt ahead of giving minutes to a veteran not in the long-term plans.

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