Jose Calderon is a snarky guy.
That, or a totally honest guy.
Trade rumors are once again dogging the New York Knicks, even though they have little to deal, because, well, they are the New York Knicks. This is what happens, and it’s usually worse around this time, during the dog days of summer, when there’s little to focus on other than the air of hopelessness and/or inevitable disappointment surrounding next season.
Left-field chatter has admittedly been tamer this time around. The Knicks no longer look like a dumpster fire on paper after a successful draft and free-agency period, and aside from a 31-year-old Carmelo Anthony, who owns a no-trade clause, New York has traded away all of its usual rumor-mongers.
But they still have a soon-to-be 34-year-old Jose Calderon and the $15.1 million he’s owed through 2016-17. They also have an interest in the Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford, according to the New York Daily News‘ Frank Isola:
The Knicks have expressed interest in acquiring Clippers guard Jamal Crawford, according to a source.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) August 18, 2015
Oh, on top of that, they’re also reportedly interested in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Ricky Rubio.
Neither player makes much sense for them. Crawford and Rubio are both horrid fits for the triangle, and Rubio is the exact type of point guard—ball-dominant, sans a jump shot—that Knicks president Phil Jackson has been known to avoid. Crawford’s contract is expiring, and acquiring him would give the Knicks additional flexibility next summer if the Clippers absorb Calderon, but the Clippers have little reason to absorb Calderon with both Chris Paul and Pablo Prigioni already on the docket.
One fan tweeted about the madness, tagging the involved parties, including Calderon, in the process:
Knicks are intersted in @rickyrubio9 & @JCrossover ? Wake me up when Wolves & Clippers will be intersted in @JmCalderon3 .
— Peter from KZ (@knicks_zone) August 19, 2015
Calderon, presumably during a daily mentions-perusal, spotted the tweet and responded:
Hey!!! Wake up!!!!!!! https://t.co/EArVoW9cz5
— jose manuel calderon (@JmCalderon3) August 19, 2015
First thing’s first: YES.
Second thing: YES.
Third thing: Calderon is obviously kidding, suggesting not that the Clippers and Timberwolves are pining for his services, but that they, along with every other team, would love to have him in town. This is a harbinger of confidence and humor, not a social-media form of crystal ball gazing.
While the Knicks could try to trade Calderon down the line, with the hope of shedding the $7.7 million he’s owed in 2016-17, it most likely won’t be to the Clippers or Timberwolves. Hell, they most likely won’t move him at all this season.
If they do, know this: Calderon will tweet about it, just not before said trade actually happens.
Probably.
I think.
