The Knicks need help, and even Carmelo Anthony recognizes that he cannot win a Championship with the current Knicks roster. The Knicks have nearly $77.6 million committed to 8 players (Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler make up $58.2 million alone) on the roster for next season, not including free-agent J.R. Smith. If the Knicks are able to re-sign Smith, you can tack on at least another $5 million to the payroll, making it around $80 million for 9 roster spots (not even roster spots to field a team).
As per the new CBA rules, agreed upon during the 2011 lockout season, teams pay $1 for every $1 their salary is above the luxury-tax threshold in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Starting in 2012-13, teams pay an incremental tax that increases with every $5 million above the tax threshold ($1.50, $1.75, $2.50, and so on). Teams that are repeat offenders (paying tax at least four out of the past five seasons) have a tax that is higher still — $1 more at each increment ($2.50, $2.75, $3.50, $4.25, and so on). Taxpaying teams have a smaller mid-level exception, can acquire less salary in trade, and cannot use the biannual exception.
Starting in 2013-14, teams more than $4 million above the tax level cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade transaction, which of course the Knicks just happen to fall into this category. Being in a big market such as New York City, the Knicks can take these cap hits, as opposed to a smaller market team like the Oklahoma City Thunder; where they were forced to trade James Harden in order to stay under the salary cap.
According to a source of Marc Berman of the New York Post, Anthony, loves combo guard Iman Shumpert, 22, and projects him as a superstar, but not for two seasons. The source also said Anthony privately wishes the club will add a significant piece to the roster and not be status quo.
The Knicks have already used their ‘amnesty clause’ on none other than Chauncy Billups, when they traded for Tyson Chandler. This means that they cannot amnesty Amar’e Stoudemire and his remaining 2 year, $45 million choke hold on the Knicks. For the foreseeable future, it looks like the Knicks will be stuck with the current group of players on their roster. If Melo does not believe in the current group, than why should any Knick fan? After all, Melo was brought into New York to be a savior and lift the franchise to heights they have not seen since Willis Reed and Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier, not make excuses for the front office to add another scorer. Melo certainty played lights out all season, earning his first scoring title; however he must find a way to elevate his teammates as the Knicks current salary cap situation prohibits them from making a ‘major move’ that would make him happy.
Looking from the outside in, it is easy to once again proclaim the Knicks as a mess. The Heat will still be the class of the Eastern Conference next season, with the Pacers (who the Knicks couldn’t get past with Danny Granger sidelined) second, along with the Chicago Bulls, who expect Derrick Rose to return at full strength. Knicks GM Glen Grunwald will certainty have tough decisions to make, and that is why he is paid to make the decisions.
Justin Lerner: PureSportsNY