The KnicksThe Knicks are perhaps the biggest winner from this trade, which is unusual because they received no impact players in the deal. Lance Thomas might be kept, but Amundson and Kirk will get cut (they were on the Cavs previously, and rarely played), and a 2nd round pick in 2019 is nice but a throwaway piece.
However, Smith had a player option for next year worth 6.7 million dollars, a lot of money for a player of his caliber, especially since he isn't a fit on the current Knicks roster. Shumpert was going to be a restricted free agent, but his cap hold is now also gone. The Knicks did this trade entirely for the purpose of clearing cap space, and also made themselves an even worse team in the process, which means the tank for a top 3 pick is fully on.
While Smith's personality will be missed by (some) fans and possibly his teammates, he simply didn't fill a role on this years Knicks team. Useful veterans are not needed on 5-31 teams, and his antics were disapproved of by Phil Jackson, who desires a clean locker room slate for next year.
Iman Shumpert is a different story. He was only the third Knicks draft pick in two decades to stay into his fourth year (hat tip to Posting and Toasting), which means he was much beloved by fans. Helping this was his colorful sideline attire, use of a high flattop as his haircut of choice, and highlight reel dunks. He was unfortunately consistently inconsistent, mixing stretches of elite 3 and D wing production (2012 and 2013 playoffs) with long weeks of terrible shooting and mediocre defense. He is still young and could click on a more functional and talented team with a set role, but his time with the Knicks seemed destined to be ending.
The Knicks are now seemingly locked into a top 3 draft pick, which means they will have an excellent prospect (this draft class is loaded) to pair with Carmelo Anthony as well as some other interesting youngsters (Tim Hardaway Jr and Cleanthony Early) in preparation for their summer meetings with free agents. With a lot of cap room and only one bad contract (Jose Calderon), the Knicks will be enticing to potential top players, especially since they are in the weaker Eastern Conference, where making a 6 or 7 seed is remarkably easy. They will have enough space for both a max contract and two quality mid-level players, which would enough to vault them back into the Eastern Conference finals race for 2016. Depending on who they get with their pick and what they are able to land over the summer, the Knicks could come out of this one on top. Phil Jackson's new motto should be: Summer is coming!
Trade Grade: A-
