Phil Jackson hasn’t exactly viewed Pablo Prigioni as a core piece, reportedly dangling the point guard to dump Wayne Ellington.
The Knicks traded Ellington to the Kings, and Prigioni began the season with New York.
But after falling from the Knicks’ rotation, Prigioni is even more expendable.
Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv:
Hearing the #Knicks would like to deal Pablo Prigioni for a 2nd-round pick. He's not playing now & not part of the future.
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) January 21, 2015
Prigioni’s $1,734,572 2015-16 salary is just $290,000 guaranteed, but if the Knicks waive him this summer, they’d gain just $919,479 in cap room after the roster charge. If they trade him without taking salary in return, they’d gain $1,209,479 in cap room after the roster charge.
Considering Prigioni, despite being in just his third NBA season, is already 37, there’s probably not a spot for him on a rebuilding team.
But he’s still productive enough to help a contender. He passes and shoots well while limiting himself to only high-efficiency attempts. A knack for getting steals boosts otherwise lackluster defense.
The Cavaliers, reportedly in the market for a veteran point guard, could use him. They still have a second rounder left to deal -- the lower of Chicago’s and Portland’s this year, though they likely won’t have another until 2020 -- but matching salaries could be tricky. Perhaps, New York could do better, but the league is deep with point guards, and Jordan Farmar and Nate Robinson are free agents.
The Knicks’ focus should be on developing young players and maximizing 2015 cap room. Trading Prigioni for whatever draft pick they can get would help accomplish both.