New York Knicks president Phil Jackson reportedly is "actively" trying to trade veteran guard Jose Calderon. Jackson also indicated first-year Knicks coach Derek Fisher wasn't on the hot seat, despite the team's dismal 10-39 record.
Jackson has been trying to dump as much salary as possible this season to give himself the greatest financial flexibility in the offseason. After getting rid of J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Samuel Dalembert, Jackson apparently isn't finished trying to make moves.
" A source said the Knicks are actively trying to unload guard Jose Calderon's contract," Yahoo Sports' Marcus J. Spears wrote Monday. "Calderon is owed $7.4 million in 2015-16, and $7.7 million in 2016-17."
Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy also previously reported that Calderon would likely be gone before the Feb. 19 trade deadline.
"I'd be surprised if he's a Knick after the deadline," Kennedy wrote Jan. 21. "If he is still there, it means they tried to move him and failed - not that they wanted to keep him. They really want to get his money off of the books since he's owed over $7 million for the next two seasons. ...
"Don't expect New York to get anything significant back for Calderon. This would be a contract dump where they take back expiring deals and maybe a pick. They aren't going to trade for anyone who has a deal beyond this season because - again - then they limit their flexibility."
While Calderon's time in New York appears to be ending, Fisher's does not. The Knicks have struggled in Fisher's first season as a head coach, but Jackson indicated Fisher was part of his long-term plans.
"That was exactly what I'd been thinking of, building a foundation, a way of playing basketball, getting a bunch of guys that can do it. If I'm not here four or five years down the road, then I have a young coach I believe in who will complete it," Jackson told the New York Times on Tuesday.
