The Knicks made a number of deals before the NBA trade deadline today, but none of them are about this season. Despite what Donnie Walsh may claim, the trade that brought the Knicks Tracy McGrady is not going to help the Knicks to get into the playoffs this year. The trade is all about clearing more cap space by deleting the contract of Jared Jeffries from next year’s payroll. With Jeffries’ salary off the books, the Knicks have a legitimate shot at landing two top-tier free agents in July.
But, they have paid a steep price to get that cap room. Jeffries was overpaid, but he was one of the few Knicks who played defense. In addition, they are trading Jordan Hill, their number one pick from the 2009 draft, and their 2012 first round pick. Additionally, Houston will have the right to swap 2011 first round picks with the Knicks. If they fail in their attempts to sign LeBron James, Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade, the Knicks have put themselves in terrible shape for the future.
The Knicks made other deals as well, sending Nate Robinson to Boston and Darko Milicic to Minnesota. The Milicic trade is really just a salary dump as it saves the Knicks $1.8 million this year. The Robinson trade has not been officially announced by the league, but is reportedly bringing Eddie House, J.R. Giddens and Billy Walker to New York. If true, then New York has radically revamped its roster today, trading five players away and getting back five.
