JAX THE REAPER
Phil moves bring death to rebuild
bert, Wayne Ellington, Shane Larkin and two second-round picks:
This trade got worse with time for Phil Jackson. Felton and Chandler are still solid NBA rotation players. Most of the players the Knicks got back in the deal are no longer in the league, and that includes the two players Jackson drafted with those two picks — Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. The disappointing stints of Larkin and Calderon created the environment to go after Rose two years later.
Traded JR Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cavaliers and got back Lou Amundson, Alex Kirk, Lance Thomas and a 2019 secondround pick:
A year later, the Cavaliers gave up two first-round picks to acquire Timofey Mozgov. But they fleeced Phil Jackson, acquiring two players vital to their championship run. Smith, given up for nothing, developed into a starter and elite defender on a championship team. “The New York Knicks said JR Smith was a throw-in, by the way,” LeBron James said at the championship parade, scratching his head in disbelief. Hired Derek Fisher: A coach with no experience hired on a fiveyear deal because of his relationship with Jackson. What could go wrong? Everything. Fisher went 17-65 in his first season — the worst record in franchise history — and missed a practice in training camp after getting punched in the face by Matt Barnes. Fisher wasn’t ready to be a coach.
Re-signed Carmelo Anthony on a five-year, $124 million contract with a no-trade clause:
Why did Phil concede to a notrade clause? It’s such a rarity in the NBA that we’d like to hear from Phil (not going to happen) about his thought process back then. Because today it’s the bane of his existence. Anthony’s contract and age create a win-now environment, while Jackson’s terrible roster moves suggest it’s time to blow it all up again. Except he can’t trade Anthony without the player’s consent. It’s the conundrum Jackson built. Forget about signing stars now to help Anthony, because it’s hard to imagine top agents even meeting with Jackson anymore. Just ask Kevin Durant.
Signed Joakim Noah to a fouryear, $72 million contract:
There were warning signs that Noah was no longer a starting-caliber player. The Bulls knew it. Jackson didn’t. The worst part about this contract is imagining Years 3 and 4 on the deal. But that’s what you get when signing a player to a monster contract the season AFTER he was benched and put on injured reserve because of shoulder surgery. Now you can go through any feasible rebuilding scenario — whether it’s trade Anthony, or trade Rose — but you’re still brought back to the following reality: yeah, but what about Noah?
Phil Jackson signed a five-year, $60 million contract to become president of the Knicks.
Or maybe this was Jackson’s best move. It certainly was the smartest. Either way, it sent the Knicks on a downward spiral that is reinforced with every heartbreaking loss and moment of dysfunction. AP, USA TODAY & GETTY