Jose Calderon

Eastern Notes: Knicks, Whiteside, Barac

February 3rd, 2015 at 9:33pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Pacers draft-and-stash prospect Stanko Barac is finally seeking an NBA deal, sources tell Shams Charania of RealGM. The 28-year-old has been playing overseas since becoming the 39th overall pick in 2007, and while he recently signed with Croatia’s Cedevita through the end of this season, he’d like to come stateside, Charania adds. The Pacers have kept an eye on him, but nothing is imminent, the RealGM scribe cautions. Indiana tried to sign him to a lucrative deal years ago to no avail, and there’s interest in him from other NBA teams, according to Charania, but it’s unclear whether any team wants to trade for his rights at this point. He’s one of two draft rights held players that the Pacers have, as Mark Porcaro’s Hoops Rumors database shows.

Here’s more from the East:

Phil Jackson indicated to Harvey Araton of The New York Times that the Knicks won’t necessarily chase star free agents this summer, and Marc Berman of The New York Post writes that there’s been a “feeling within the league” that New York will instead target multiple second-tier free agents. Berman names Paul Millsap, Wesley Matthews, Draymond Green, Goran Dragic, Tobias Harris and Greg Monroe as members of that second tier, and while some of them, like Monroe and Harris, have indeed been identified in other reports as Knicks targets, it’s unclear if Jackson is actually eyeing all of those players.
Elton Brand spoke with Luol Deng about the Danny Ferry controversy before re-signing with the Hawks, as Michael Lee of the Washington Post writes. “He said, ‘I don’t understand why it’s in the report, but I forgive Danny and I’m ready to move on,’ ” Brand said of Deng. “So that helped me. As a team, we felt like that’s a management issue. That was up there. We still got to play, we still got to get our fans back.”
If Hassan Whiteside continues to show he’s a quality starting center, it will significantly impact what the Heat do and how they allocate their cap space over the next few years, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald writes. Whiteside will be an unrestricted free agent n the summer of 2016. If he keeps this up, Jackson writes that Miami will likely consider moving Josh McRoberts‘ hefty deal that pays him $5.8MM in 2016/17 and $6.02MM in 2017/18 (player option).

Chuck Myron and Zach Links contributed to this post.

Phil Jackson On Triangle, Free Agency, ‘Melo

February 3rd, 2015 at 8:39am CST by Chuck Myron

Knicks president Phil Jackson was frank when he sat down last week to speak with Harvey Araton of The New York Times, telling him that, “So far, my experiment has fallen flat on its face.” The team has won five of its last seven, but New York is still only 10-38 and just a half-game in front of the last-place Sixers in the Eastern Conference. Still, Jackson told Araton that he has spent “not one moment” lamenting the offseason trade that sent away Tyson Chandler and brought in Jose Calderon, whom Jackson and the Knicks are reportedly shopping.

The Zen Master said that a chance to advocate and popularize the Triangle Offense was one reason he took the job, and while he admitted that the system could hinder the team as it tries to recruit free agents, he argued that it is nonetheless appealing. Under no circumstances will Jackson coach the team, Araton writes, and the Times scribe hints that Jackson, who’s nearly a year into a five-year contract, isn’t planning on staying with the Knicks long-term. There’s plenty more in Araton’s full interview with Jackson, which is worth a read, and we’ll pass along a few noteworthy tidbits that relate to player movement here:

On the idea that the triangle with keep free agents away:

“Of course it’s a concern of mine, the perception that it’s too difficult to learn or too difficult for today’s players to embrace. But I think anyone that believes he’s a total basketball player is going to want to do it. A sound offense incorporates all the basic skills of any player you have, whether you’re a center, a power forward, whatever. There are isolation spots in the triangle, but the only thing that precludes a player really fitting in is someone who has to have the whole side of the court to go one on one.”

On the pursuit of stars in free agency versus going after players who fit:

“You do need great players to win the championship, but having to always chase the best talent in free agency eventually becomes a mindset of, well, the best talent wins as opposed to who plays the best team basketball — which is what San Antonio showed last season. Their play was special, a team that really values passing, a system where they’re not just standing around, spacing out shooters. That’s also what Atlanta and a couple of other teams are showing this year.”

On re-signing Carmelo Anthony:

“He’s responsible, there’s a character base there that I’ve acquainted myself with, where I feel he has the nerve for the job, he’s not afraid. He has the capability of being a fourth-quarter guy who is going to make the shots. You need that kind of guy when you’re in the playoffs to win close games. You can run your triangle for three and a half quarters and it still comes down to having someone who is a little extra special down the stretch.”

Trade Candidate: Jose Calderon

January 23rd, 2015 at 8:06pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Knicks believed that they had solved a number of their issues with one trade this past summer. That’s when newly appointed team president Phil Jackson dealt Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Mavericks for Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington, and two 2014 second round draft picks. But as was stated in a proverb that the poet Robert Burns first wrote and that John Steinbeck later made popular, the best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry.

New York’s Achilles’ heel during the 2013/14 campaign was its point guard play, or to be specific, a complete lack of production from the group it threw out on the floor to facilitate the offense. The Knicks as a team averaged a meager 20.0 assists per game, which was good for the third lowest total in the league. Felton was one of the worst starting point guards in the league statistically, and his off the court issues involving the possession of a handgun certainly didn’t help raise his stock around the league and with the team.

With Jackson needing to live up to whatever promises that he may have made to Carmelo Anthony in order to get him to re-sign with the Knicks, the Zen Master must have figured adding a more competent ball distributor in Calderon was a good place to begin. While I was certainly a fan of the team cutting ties with Felton, I will point out that he actually had a higher assist per game average during the 2013/14 campaign (5.7) than Calderon did (4.7) with the Mavs that same season.

But Calderon was also brought in to help spread the floor with his outside shooting, something that Felton didn’t provide for the Knicks. Also, with the team switching to the triangle offense, the change in scheme was supposed to remove part of the need for a point guard to rack up gaudy assist totals in order to be successful. The Spaniard is also known as a good teammate, and was looked at as a player who could help provide veteran leadership, something that the Knicks sorely missed with the retirement of Jason Kidd and the departure of Kenyon Martin.

Unfortunately for the Knicks and their fans, Calderon has not produced at the level that the team had hoped for when it acquired him. In 30 appearances this season, Calderon has averaged 9.3 points, his lowest total since the 2006/07 season, a career-low 4.3 assists, and he’s shooting a career-worst 39.9% from the field. He has looked a step slow on both ends of the court, and it’s unclear if age is finally catching up with him, if Calderon’s apathetic due to New York’s lost season, or if he’s still hampered by the calf injury that he suffered during the preseason.

With the Knicks seemingly in full on tank-mode for the remainder of the season, a veteran point guard like Calderon is an expendable piece. Jackson would probably love to clear the remaining two years on Calderon’s contract off of the team’s books to provide the franchise with additional flexibility. New York has been reported to be actively shopping Calderon along with some of the other remaining veterans on its squad. The Spaniard is making $7,097,191 this season, due to make $7,402,812 in 2015/16, and owed $7,708,427 for 2016/17. Those numbers don’t necessarily make Calderon untradeable, but the trick for Jackson will be finding a deal for players with expiring contracts so that he can maximize New York’s cap space to pursue free agents over the next two summers.

Despite Calderon’s lack of production this season and not quite desirable contract, there still should be a market for his services, though it is highly unlikely that he would bring the Knicks much of a return on his own. Unless Calderon is packaged with other players and draft picks, any deal would become more of a salary dump than a franchise changing transaction. But dealing players in return for little more than future cap space is something that seems to fit with the current Knicks philosophy, so there shouldn’t be an issue there.

While no teams have been specifically reported to be interested in acquiring Calderon, here are a few franchises that could be potential fits for a deal. It should be noted that these are purely my speculation, and not based off of any published reports:

Oklahoma City: The Thunder could use a veteran like Calderon to add backcourt depth, especially with the team’s injury history. The acquisition of Dion Waiters, who can play the point if required to, lessens the Thunder’s need at this position. But if OKC decides that it has little chance or desire to re-sign Reggie Jackson, then GM Sam Presti could decide to unload him, though the Knicks probably don’t have enough in addition to Calderon to offer for a talent such as Jackson to close a deal without getting a third team involved.
Chicago: The Bulls appear to be set for the moment at point guard, with Derrick Rose working his way back into form, and Aaron Brooks providing solid production as a backup. But these are the Bulls, who are seemingly always dealing with injuries, especially late in the season. Calderon would provide extra insurance in the event of another injury to Rose or Kirk Hinrich, but fitting his salary in would be quite a challenge.
Boston: The Celtics have reportedly let teams know that they would be willing to take on cap-eating contracts, and they could use more depth at point guard in the wake of the Rajon Rondo trade. This would make Boston a logical trade partner, but the Knicks lack the draft picks that the Celtics would likely require in order to take on a contract such as Calderon’s. But if president of basketball operations Danny Ainge decides that rookie Marcus Smart isn’t ready to lead the team, a trade for Calderon could become a very real possibility.
Philadelphia: The Sixers have become the salary cap dumping ground for the league, and with the team not sold on the long-term viability of Michael Carter-Williams, Calderon would seem like a potential fit. Couple that with Tony Wroten‘s injury, and it’s clear that the Sixers have a definite need at the one spot. But with Philly GM Sam Hinkie determined to collect every second round draft pick between now and 2020, the Knicks would have an issue scratching that itch for the Sixers. It’s possible that Jackson could flip Pablo Prigioni for a second-rounder, as he is reportedly seeking to do. But it’s not clear if that would be enough to get Hinkie to bite on two more seasons of being committed to Calderon.
Cleveland: The Cavaliers have a definite need for a stronger backup at the point. Matthew Dellavedova is a nice player, but if Kyrie Irving is injured, Dellavedova’s not likely to inspire confidence in a deep playoff run as a starter. Cleveland may not be too keen on taking on the final two years of Calderon’s deal, but with the franchise in win-now mode, it’s a deal it would likely consider pulling the trigger on.
Miami: The Heat would be a longshot here, but the team has a definite need for an upgrade at the point guard spot. Miami is in an odd position, with the team needing to rebuild after LeBron James‘ departure while having a veteran-laden roster. Calderon could step right in and provide an immediate upgrade, but the length of his deal could scare the team off from pursuing a trade with the Knicks.
Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers could absolutely use a player like Calderon, and would be able to deal the expiring contract of Steve Nash as part of a package to obtain him. Los Angeles is still likely entertaining thoughts of inking Rondo this offseason, though that is far from a done deal, especially since Rondo appears to be settling in nicely in Dallas. With Kobe Bryant in the waning years of his career, Calderon could be seen by GM Mitch Kupchak as a player who could bolster the roster and allow him to concentrate on adding much needed frontcourt talent this offseason.

While Calderon’s trade value has taken a definite hit since the beginning of the season, he’s a player who still could help a number of teams. I also believe that a change of scenery, and the chance at playing for a playoff team, could revitalize his play. Calderon is one of the Knicks’ most tradeable of assets currently, though his contract length will be a hurdle that Jackson will need to overcome in order to remove Calderon from the team’s balance sheet. The veteran point guard is likely to be the subject of numerous rumors leading up to the deadline, and if he still remains a Knick beyond that date, it’s because Jackson couldn’t find a taker, and not because he was unwilling to part with Calderon.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Atlantic Notes: Thornton, Calderon, Williams

January 14th, 2015 at 6:30pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Celtics are receiving inquiries about Marcus Thornton, but interested teams are concerned about Thornton’s salary, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports (Twitter link). Thornton, who will become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, is making $8.575MM this year. Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:

The Celtics were able to create a trade exception worth $625,280 as a result of the Jameer Nelson for Nate Robinson deal with the Nuggets, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders reports (Twitter link).
With Jose Calderon reportedly on the trading block, Jesse Blancarte of Basketball Insiders looks at a number of theoretical deals that the Knicks could make to unload the veteran point guard.
Point guard Deron Williams is out indefinitely for the Nets with a rib injury, and has no idea when he’ll be able to play again, Brian Lewis of The New York Post writes. “I’m still pretty sore. I don’t have a timetable, just taking it one day at a time,” Williams said. “There’s nothing you can do, really. They’re doing some laser and heating it up; just rest. Other than that, there’s nothing really you can do.” Williams also expressed his displeasure with the conflicting medical reports that he has received from various doctors, Lewis adds.
When Langston Galloway signed his 10-day deal to join the lowly Knicks, his college coach Phil Martelli gave him some sage advice, Mike Sielski of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “What I told him on the phone was none of that mattered [the Knicks’ losing ways],” Martelli said. “If his routine was to get there early, then get there early. If his routine was to be active on the bench, then be active on the bench. When you’re a young guy, you end up emulating those who are ahead of you. It’s not his nature to ‘be selfish,’ but in a lot of ways, he had to be who he was and not fall into what the media would say about the Knicks or anything like that. Their request to him was not to save them. Their request to him was to be a professional.”
Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov failed in his “get a ring quick scheme,” and will leave the franchise far worse off than when he purchased it, Michael Lee of the Washington Post writes in his profile of Prokhorov. The Russian billionaire is reportedly trying to sell his interests in the team.

Knicks Notes: Antetokounmpo, Calderon, Martin

January 14th, 2015 at 4:18pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Bucks swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo believes strongly that the Knicks should call up his older brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, from the D-League, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. “He’s ready,’’ the younger Antetokounmpo said. “I don’t think the Knicks have to lose anything. They lose 15 [straight] now. Tomorrow is going to be 16. They don’t have anything to lose. My brother could bring energy to the team and [is] hard-working, and guys from the team can see that and take something from him.’’ With three players currently on their roster with 10-day contracts, the Knicks will have an available slot shortly, Berman notes.

Here’s more out of New York:

Kenyon Martin, who is currently with the Bucks on a 10-day deal, was asked why the Knicks didn’t show any interest in his services this season, Berman writes in a separate piece. Martin’s response was, “You got to ask them that, boss. You know that. They made that decision. It is what it is. I moved on. I went and got my surgery and did most of [the rehab] on my own. I don’t hold no grudges. I thought it would’ve been a little different. It is what it is. I’m not bitter.’’ Milwaukee is reportedly considering signing Martin for the remainder of the season.
Point guard Jose Calderon understands that he could be traded by the Knicks prior to February’s deadline, Al Iannazzone of Newsday writes. “It can happen,” Calderon said. “Why are you going to be surprised? They’re changing stuff. I don’t know what’s really on their minds right now. I have no idea what’s going to happen. It’s the NBA. It’s a business. They have a plan. They really want that cap space. That’s why they made some of the moves. It can happen again.” The Knicks appear to be shopping Calderon along with Andrea Bargnani.
Calderon isn’t focusing on his trade status, Iannazzone adds, but rather on trying to help turn around a nightmarish Knicks season. Calderon said that until something changes he will consider himself part of New York’s future, the Newsday scribe notes. “I came here thinking I was part of it [the Knicks’ rebuilding plan],” Calderon said. “I’m still thinking about it. It’s nothing different yet. So I’m still part of it.“

Knicks Shop Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani

January 12th, 2015 at 10:19am CST by Chuck Myron

The Knicks are active in attempts to trade Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani, reports Marc Stein and Ian Begley of ESPN.com. However, New York is clinging to Amar’e Stoudemire and doesn’t plan on trading him, Stein and Begley add. Bargnani is a candidate to hit waivers next month if team president Phil Jackson can’t find a trade partner by the February 19th trade deadline, according to the ESPN scribes.

Knicks coach Derek Fisher last month called Bargnani a “big piece to the future,” but it appears that’s changed in short order as the Knicks have plummeted to the worst record in the league. The Knicks relinquished their 2016 first-round draft pick as part of the trade that brought Bargnani from Toronto, but injury has kept him from all but two games this season. He’s making $11.5MM this year, the final season of his contract, but league executives reportedly believed over the summer that it would require the Knicks to attach two first-round picks to offload him. There’s a decent chance that price has come down some, with Bargnani drawing ever close to the end of his deal, but it still seems like it’ll be hard for Jackson to find a taker.

A report last week indicated that Jackson hadn’t yet given up on Calderon, in spite of speculation that he’d be the next Knick to go after the team sent Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith to Cleveland last week. The team’s stance on Calderon, too, appears to have changed, and while there are plenty of teams who are high on him, the point guard’s contract stands as a deterrent, Stein and Begley write. Calderon is making between $7MM and $8MM each season through 2016/17.

The Knicks reportedly shopped Stoudemire over the summer and discussed a deal with the Sixers, though Stoudemire’s salary of more than $23.4MM makes him quite difficult to trade. He’s proven a key part of the Knicks this season, averaging 13.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per game, making 13 starts. It’s conceivable that the Knicks would re-sign him, at a greatly reduced rate, for next season once his contract expires this summer, Stein and Begley write.

Atlantic Notes: Jackson, Galloway, Celtics

January 7th, 2015 at 8:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Knicks still have an interest in acquiring Reggie Jackson from the Thunder, but New York likely lacks the assets to entice Oklahoma City into dealing the guard, who will become a restricted free agent at season’s end, Jon Hamm of The Oklahoman writes. The only Knicks players that the Thunder may be interested in, Pablo Prigioni and Jose Calderon, offer significant downsides, Hamm notes. Calderon’s contract is unappealing, and Prigioni’s age (37), make any deal for them with OKC unlikely, adds Hamm.

Here’s the latest out of the Atlantic Division:

Newly-signed Langston Galloway had two things going for him that the Knicks liked: He’s well-versed in the triangle and he completed his college career, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. “Langston is mature for a young player, gone to school for four years,’’ coach Derek Fisher said. “Not being afraid of the moment as a young guy was really impressive over the summer. He’s done some good things in Westchester [D-League] so far that tell us he is a guy who can develop into a good pro player. We’re excited to have him here for a short period. He’s going to try to make the most of it.’’
Knicks team president Phil Jackson hasn’t given up on Calderon, in spite of speculation that he’ll be the next player the team trades, so it’s more likely the Knicks would let go of backup Prigioni instead, Berman writes in a separate piece.
One of the Celtics‘ remaining trade assets who could be in demand is veteran forward Jeff Green. Jesse Blancarte of Basketball Insiders runs down a number of possible deals that Boston can make should it decide to trade Green. Hoops Rumors’ Chuck Myron also looked at Green’s market in our Trade Candidate series.
The $490K that remained from the $2.09MM trade exception that the Celtics had created last January from the Courtney Lee to Memphis trade expired today. Also expiring is the $884,293 trade exception that the Thunder created from the same deal for sending Ryan Gomes to Boston.
Tony Wroten was rumored to be a part of the Sixers’ deal with the Clippers for Jared Cunningham, but for now, Wroten remains in Philadelphia. But Los Angeles is still interested in acquiring the guard, and the teams are having preliminary discussions regarding a possible trade, John Gonzalez of CSNPhilly.com reports. Wroten said that he’d like to remain in Philly, but he’s flattered that other teams are interested in him, Gonzalez adds. “I’m auditioning for everybody,” Wroten said. “But I was blessed and fortunate enough, with a few guys, who got to stay on this team. It’s like you feel wanted. I continue to play for the lovely fans and the lovely community and see where it takes us.”

Berger’s Latest: Stephenson, Jackson, Crawford

January 6th, 2015 at 3:29pm CST by Chuck Myron

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com shares eye-catching rumors from across the league in his latest must-read piece, which looks ahead to the trade deadline that’s just a month and a half away. We’ll pass along some of the highlights here:

The Hornets continue to explore the market for Lance Stephenson, and they’re looking for frontcourt help, Berger hears. Charlotte had reportedly decided to table Stephenson talks late last month, but since that time, Al Jefferson was diagnosed with an injury that’ll keep him out most of January, if not longer.
The Knicks tried to pry Reggie Jackson from the Thunder in talks leading up to Monday’s trade, and they’re expected to try to do so again, Berger writes. Still, the Thunder are holding the line against trading him, as Berger adds.
Jamal Crawford is off-limits for other teams as the Clippers try to acquire a starting-caliber small forward, sources tell Berger. The Clips, up against a hard cap, have told at least one team that asked about Crawford that they don’t plan to move him.
Execs from teams around the league believe the Knicks will be active between now and the draft, as there’s widespread doubt that New York will be able to land a major free agent this summer, Berger hears. There’s speculation that Jose Calderon will be the next Knicks player to be traded, but that’ll be more easily said than done for New York, since the 33-year-old point guard’s contract runs through 2016/17 with salaries in excess of $7MM each year, Berger writes.

Atlantic Notes: Bass, Faverani, Calderon, Sixers

November 23rd, 2014 at 12:50pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Celtics‘ Brandon Bass may have increased his trade chances with a strong start to the season, writes Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. Bass is earning $6.9MM in the final season of his contract, and should be appealing to a contending team between now and the trade deadline. “If there’s a team competing for a championship and they could steal him, that’d be big,” said Rajon Rondo. “He’s one of the best mid-range shooters in the league.”

There’s more from around the Atlantic Division:

Bulpett also reports that Vitor Faverani is holding out hope of playing for the Celtics this season after two surgical procedures to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Faverani originally had the knee worked on in March, then went through a second procedure five weeks ago. “The bad thing is that I worked really hard all summer, and I got injured one more time,” he said. “I just have to recover. That’s my life. That’s all I can do right now.”
The Celtics assigned James Young to the Maine Red Claws of the D-League, the team announced via press release. This is his second stint with the Red Claws, after appearing in one game last week. He has played in three games for the Celtics, averaging 3.0 points in 3.9 minutes.
Carmelo Anthony expects the Knicks to improve now that Jose Calderon is back on the court, according to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. Anthony praised Calderon’s understanding of the game, and said scorers always love playing with skilled point guards. “His IQ out there on the basketball court, I think is very high,” Anthony said. “That’s something that, at that position, we’ve been missing.” Calderon, who came to the Knicks in an offseason trade with the Mavericks, missed the first 13 games of the season with a strained calf.
Fans of the winless Sixers shouldn’t expect a turnaround any time soon, opines Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He said Philadelphia is committed to its strategy of trying to improve by getting high draft picks, even though it hasn’t landed the team an obvious franchise player so far.

Eastern Notes: Sixers, Knicks, Blatt

October 12th, 2014 at 12:26pm CST by Eddie Scarito

While some may chide the Sixers for their rebuilding through the draft lottery strategy, the team could most certainly get the last laugh, writes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. In comparing the Sixers and the Celtics, Bulpett favors the Sixers situation because they have more actual NBA prospects on the roster, rather than having to gamble solely on future first-round picks working out favorably.

Here’s more from the east:

The Knicks were one of the teams that attended Kentucky’s weekend scouting combine, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com reports (Twitter link). New York possesses a first-rounder in next year’s NBA Draft, a rare occurrence for the franchise in recent years, and the Wildcats are expected to field a number of lottery prospects this season.
New Cavs head coach David Blatt is transitioning from Europe to the NBA, and Jordan Brenner of ESPN.com chronicles his journey. Brenner traces Blatt’s steps back the the U.S., and opines that establishing a rapport with the game’s best and most powerful player, LeBron James, will be his most crucial task.
New Knicks point guard Jose Calderon is destined to become a fan favorite, mainly because Calderon is replacing the departed Raymond Felton, Frank Isola of The New York Daily News writes. “Well, I want to be better,” Calderon said of replacing Felton. “I don’t know if it’s going to be because of me. I’m going to try to do my best for this team to do the best we can do, go as far as we can go. It’s not only one thing. I think we are a team, too many things to say only one position, one weakness. Last year, I don’t know how many wins they had — 30-something — don’t think it’s only one guy.”

Chris Crouse contributed to this post.

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