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New York Knicks: 5 Reasons to Oppose Russell Westbrook Trade

By Maurice Moton

Nov 28, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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 /

Contract-Cap Space Mismatch

Some Knicks fans would like Jackson to offer Porzingis for Westbrook. For starters, it makes very little financial sense. According to spotrac.com, Westbrook contract deals a $17.7 million cap hit. Porzingis’ will earn approximately $4.3 million.

The Knicks have already utilized a lot of cap space to absorb deals for Rose, and assuming free-signing reports hold truths, Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings.

It doesn’t take a finance major to understand the Knicks have very little cap space to work with going forward. How can they take in another $17 million deal without re-structuring the team or shooting down prior verbal agreements to other free agents?

Jackson has made enough moves to place the Knicks in playoff contention; there’s no need to become desperate for Westbrook no matter how intriguing the thought.

It’s fun to fantasize about a potential deal, but the numbers don’t add up unless Jackson would like to sit in the lab and perform contract gymnastics.

Next: Dealing a Budding Talent

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