The New York Knicks are rumored to be ready to give up in the 2015-2016 NBA regular season and gear up for the 2016 free agency.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks' front office could seek an upgrade in their point guard rotation of Jose Calderon and Jeraint Grant, who have been lackluster this season with a combined average of only 6.5 points and 3.1 assists, using the team's 10 contracts that are now eligible for trading.
Berman wrote: "The Knicks players who become eligible to be traded Tuesday are Grant, the untouchable Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick Williams, Robin Lopez, Kyle O'Quinn, Kevin Seraphin, Sasha Vujacic, Arron Afflalo, Lance Thomas and Lou Amundson."
With the Knicks looking to address their backcourt issues in next year's free agency when the likes of Mike Conley and Rajon Rondo are up for grabs, they could certainly use some trade packages that would allow them to clear some cap-space come free agency.
In a forum on Real GM, a fan proposed a deal that would send Knicks' summer acquisitions Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Al Jefferson, PJ Hairston, and a 2016 first rounder.
The Knicks would receive a ton of extra cap room this summer using Hairston and Jefferson's expiring contracts, which gives New York a better chance to land Conley or Rondo, or both next summer.
For the Hornets, they would get a solid rim protector in Lopez and decent wing in Afflalo, improving their chance to secure a playoff spot.
However, this type of trade scenario would be tricky for both parties, considering how hefty Afflalo and Lopez's contracts compared to Big-Al and Hairston's.
A more realistic trade would be Afflalo and Lopez for Jefferson and Marvin Williams, according to Real GM Trade Checker. This could be a more conducive deal for the Hornets as they get to keep their first round pick for next year's rookie draft.
The Knicks are once again dwelling at the low end of the Eastern Conference rankings, unlike the Hornets who have a legitimate shot at the playoffs if they remain healthy.
New York may want to consider this approach if they are seriously intending to acquire a marquee point guard next year.