New York

The New York Knicks roster isn't the most talented, but there are some intriguing veterans on board.

The Knicks will be sellers heading into the NBA trade deadline, and guys like Jose Calderon, Pablo Prigioni, Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani will be available. 

It isn't too likely, however, that New York moves all four men.

The probability of a trade varies with each athlete. Some players will be easier to exchange than others, and some will be better off holding or waiving than moving.  

Jose Calderon

Calderon has been solid this season, scoring 9.3 points per game and dishing 4.3 assists per game, but the 33-year-old hasn't impacted the franchise in an extravagant way. 

The Knicks acquired Calderon to run the triangle, and while he's capable of doing so competently, his age and contract don't rationalize him remaining with the organization. The point guard is signed for another two seasons and will earn about $15.11 million over the duration of his contract. 

With the Knicks looking to free up as much cap space as possible, there's a great chance Calderon is traded for an expiring contract, solely to dump his salary. A playoff contender with an expiring contract could make a move for Calderon to take advantage of his experience. 

A deal with the Houston Rockets exchanging Calderon for Jason Terry would make sense for both parties. The Rockets get another playmaker, and New York removes $7 million-plus from its books.

Finding a taker for Calderon may be challenging—due to his contract and age—but a franchise one player away from contending for a championship may pull the trigger to acquire that missing piece. There's a 75 percent chance Calderon gets traded in the coming weeks. 

Pablo Prigioni

The wily Prigioni is entering the back end of his career. At 37 years old, he's still capable of performing at a high level for a backup point guard, but his talent is wasted on a losing team. 

Prigs does the little things contenders need to get over the hump, and because of his reasonable contract—he has one year left on his deal worth about $1.7 million—he has the best odds on this team to get traded, checking in at 95 percent. 

A franchise needing a point guard could land Prigioni for a second-round draft pick plus a contract filler if necessary. 

The Detroit Pistons, for instance, can acquire Prigs for Kyle Singler's expiring contract and a second-rounder.

Prigioni won't net an amazing return, but his experience, leadership and craftiness on the floor are definitely worth a second-rounder to a playoff team.  

Amar'e Stoudemire

Stoudemire might be the most talented veteran, but since he's an expiring contract, the odds of him being traded aren't too high. There's a 40 percent chance New York moves Stoudemire before the deadline.

For STAT to be traded, the Knicks will need to take on salary to match the $23.4 million he's owed this season, and adding contracts that go beyond this season is counterproductive.

If the Knicks can trade Stoudemire in a package for someone like Goran Dragic and a filler, it might make sense moving the big man, but odds are he stays put and his contract rolls off the books. 

New York could wind up waiving Stoudemire if he expresses displeasure with the franchise, but that isn't likely to happen. 

Andrea Bargnani

If the Knicks wanted to take on a bad contract, swapping Bargnani for it would get the deal done. But other than that, there's a 5 percent chance someone trades for Bargnani and offers anything of value. 

New York is more likely to waive the big man and let his contract come off the books in the offseason. 

Although he's injury-prone, Bargnani still possesses a soft touch and a big body that can be helpful to some teams for the rest of the year—but only if he can be signed for the veteran's minimum. 

Bargnani won't be traded, but there's an 80 percent chance he'll be waived after the trade deadline passes. 

Cole Aldrich is one of the few bright spots for the New York Knicks.

The 6'11" 250-pound center is developing into a competent NBA player during a dismal season for his franchise. 

He's not putting up extravagant numbers, but he's competed consistently for New York—scoring 5.7 points and grabbing 5.1 rebounds while posting a player efficiency rating of 15.81, per Basketball-Reference.com. 

The 26-year-old has gone from potential draft bust to respectable role player in his tenure with the Knicks.

Progression

After being drafted 11th overall in 2010, Aldrich got off to a slow start with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

In his two years with OKC, he played 44 games for an average of 7.3 minutes per game. Throughout 2012-13, Aldrich played 45 games with the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings, posting modest numbers in limited action. 

With the Knicks, Aldrich has had the opportunity to step on the court and contribute, rather than being a bench player receiving burn solely in garbage time. 

Throughout December, he scored 8.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and throughout January, he's posting averages of 7.0 points and 7.4 rebounds. 

In his two seasons with New York, his value over replacement player has been at career highs, checking in with 0.2 and 0.3, respectively, via Basketball-Reference.com. His win shares have also been at the high points of his career with 1.2 and 0.7, respectively. 

Aldrich still has room to grow, and his added playing time with Samuel Dalembert's departure should help the center evolve as a competitor. Via NBA.com, his contested rebound percentage needs to increase from the 40.3 percent he's grabbing against opponents, and his percentage of rebounds per chance must rise from the 54.5 percent he's picking up. 

Niche

Aldrich won't be a dominant force scoring 20 per game or notching double-doubles with regularity, but he has the potential to find a place in this league as a reliable role player who provides depth and effort in every outing. 

Via Box Score Geeks, Aldrich is seventh on the Knicks in wins produced with 0.96 and third in adjusted production per 48 minutes with 0.3. 

He's also a decent shot-blocker for New York, averaging 0.9 BPG and, via NBA.com, he keeps his opponents' field-goal percentage at the rim to 52.6 percent. 

Aldrich is the quintessential selfless team player who is developing into a leader through his work ethic. Via Billy Witz of The New York Times, Aldrich said:

There have been a few stretches over my career where I’ve had the opportunity to play here or there. I take the same approach every time that it happens, which is go out there and play hard, rebound, play defense and score when given the opportunity.

Head coach Derek Fisher also spoke positively about Aldrich:

He’s a great guy to have on a team. He’s not a guy that tries to always lead in a vocal way, but he’s definitely become somewhat of a leader just in his approach and being an example of how you work at what you do.

Aldrich is a tough competitor who happens to be an underrated passer for a big man. He's dishing 1.1 assists per game, but via NBA.com, he's gotten 2.7 assist opportunities per game. 

A 5 who can dish the ball aids the fluidity of the triangle offense—and Aldrich seems to enjoy playing in Fisher's system, via Marc Berman of the New York Post: 

I personally love the triangle, being able to have more opportunities to post up but also have the ball in your hands in the pinch post with the guard coming off. There’s a lot of opportunities to get assists and easy buckets down.

He also has the positive attitude needed to eliminate the loser's mentality that has permeated the franchise in its recent rut. "I’m having fun, playing hard,’’ Aldrich said. “I know some nights are better than others. If you always play hard, most nights you’re going to be OK."

Future

If all goes to plan, the Knicks will have the chance to add a franchise-changing talent at the center position by drafting either Jahlil Okafor or Karl Towns.

However, adding either rookie to the Knicks won't cast Aldrich aside. His effort this season has displayed his passion for the sport, and his positive attitude ensures a spot on Fisher's roster.

Moving Aldrich to the bench will fortify New York's frontcourt and provide more depth than the organization possesses at the 5 currently. In his two-year tenure with the Knicks, he has worked his way from 12th man to starting center. He's shown regardless of his role that he can contribute through his effort and toughness on the floor.

He's a big body who isn't afraid to throw his weight around, and he has a decent touch around the rim. He sports a career field-goal percentage of 52 percent, and he isn't a liability on either end of the court.  

Aldrich isn't a franchise-changing talent, but he's a winning basketball player whom great teams need to have on board. 

Although J.R. Smith shows flashes of promise, it's time for the New York Knicks to move on and trade the inconsistent 6'6" shooting guard. 

Smith is a sporadic volume shooter who detracts from the team more than he contributes. 

The Knicks may be selling low on Smith at this juncture, but simply removing him will better the organization in the long run. Via ShamSports.com, Smith has a player option for 2015-16 worth $6.4 million that he is likely to exercise.

New York is better off ridding his contract and allocating that money to someone who fits Derek Fisher's system. 

Why Smith Must Go

Smith sometimes gets hot and knocks down a flurry of shots, but he isn't consistent enough to rely on as a second or third option—as his field-goal percentage of 41 reflects—due to his poor shot selection.

He also has a tendency to stagnate the offense. Via NBAsavant.com, Smith averages 2.478 dribbles with an average touch time of 3.122, which leads the team.

His average shot distance is from 19.44 feet on 205 shots taken. Only Jose Calderon and Pablo Prigioni shoot from further out on average, 20.236 and 21.196 feet on 115 and 103 shots, respectively.

Via BoxScoreGeeks.com, Smith leads the team in turnovers per 48 minutes with 3.64, and he's only produced .02 wins in 2014-15, while Amar'e Stoudemire has produced a team-leading 2.62.

Smith's ADJ P48 (adjusted production per 48 minutes) is also third-worst on the team at .05, in comparison to Stoudemire's .33, which leads the Knicks. 

Smith's VORP (value over replacement player), via Basketball-Reference.com, is minus-0.7, which is the lowest in his career. 

The advanced metrics do little to rationalize keeping Smith aboard.

Freeing Up Extra Cap Space

Although the Knicks may have roughly $25 million available in the offseason, adding another $6.4 million to that total will make the franchise more of a threat in free agency.

New York will also have the luxury of absorbing some salary from another organization looking to dump a contract similarly to how the Cleveland Cavaliers used a portion of their cap space to acquire Kevin Love.

The Knicks sport the second-worst record in the league with Smith. By removing him and adding the potential of signing a more suitable player for Fisher's system, New York's fortunes should change for the better.

Smith is a decent player, especially when he's in rhythm, but it's obvious he isn't the type of player Fisher needs for the triangle offense.  

Potential Replacements

The Knicks won't be getting full value on Smith, but that shouldn't stand in their way of moving him. 

One trade idea that make sense financially is shipping Smith to the Toronto Raptors for Landry Fields. Fields is an expiring contract and has familiarity with the organization and city. He's also a high-IQ player—that could bode well for Fisher's offense. 

Another scenario may be sending Smith to the Portland Trail Blazers for Dorell Wright and Victor Claver. Wright is an expiring contract, and Claver will be up for a qualifying offer.

Wright is a low-cost shooter who can be sporadic at times, as his 42.6 field-goal percentage reflects, and Claver is a 6'9" power forward buried in Portland's depth chart. 

The Charlotte Hornets could be a candidate to land Smith as well. A deal of Gary Neal, Jannero Pargo and a second-rounder for Smith could assist both teams. New York would receive two expiring contracts plus a second-rounder, and the Hornets would get another scorer for their struggling offense. 

The Knicks won't be able to land much for Smith, but by shedding his contract and potentially receiving a second-round draft pick or a talented young player like Claver, New York would be better positioned than the organization currently is with Smith on its roster. 

It has been two years since the New York Yankees made the postseason, so naturally there were going to be some changes and transactions this winter.

So far we have seen the Yankees take a slow and careful approach.

They have yet to land a big-name free agent, and with Jon Lester, Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez already signing elsewhere, there are few left. They were also absent from trade talks at the winter meetings when players like Matt Kemp, Jimmy Rollins, Howie Kendrick, Mat Latos, Yoenis Cespedes and Jeff Samardzija were dealt.

The Yankees have lost some key players as well. Gone are Brandon McCarthy and David Robertson. McCarthy, who had a downright stellar stint in his half-season with New York in 2014, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for four years and $48 million. Robertson, a homegrown closer, decided to take a deal in The Windy City, signing a four-year, $46 million pact with the Chicago White Sox.

However, the Yanks have not been entirely silent this winter. They re-signed Chris Young early on, giving them a fourth outfielder to replace Ichiro Suzuki. They also traded catcher Francisco Cervelli to the Pittsburgh Pirates for lefty reliever Justin Wilson.

Speaking of relievers, the Yankees signed the best one on the market in Andrew Miller, who agreed to a four-year, $36 million deal. With Robertson having departed and Miller now around to shut down the eight inning, the Yankees will promote Dellin Betances to the closer's role, a job he seems more than capable of handling after his breakout rookie season in 2014.

The Yankees also found Derek Jeter's successor in Sir Didi Gregorius (he was officially knighted). New York acquired the defensive stud in a three-team deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers that saw the Yanks send Shane Greene to Detroit.

Perhaps their biggest move came on Monday, when they re-signed Chase Headley to a four-year, $52 million deal.

With Headley back, everywhere-man Martin Prado can stick to second base, where he proved to be most comfortable. That means prospect Rob Refsnyder will have trouble winning a starting spot on this year's roster.

It also means that Alex Rodriguez, who is coming off a yearlong suspension and two hip surgeries at age 39, could be relegated to nothing more than bench duties. He will not play third base with Headley around, and with aging players and injury risks like Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixeira and Jacoby Ellsbury on hand, the Yanks cannot afford to have one permanent designated hitter.

That, of course, is assuming that Rodriguez is even on the Yankees' roster come Opening Day.

So it has not been the biggest offseason, especially by the Yankees' standards, but the Bronx Bombers have certainly gotten better.

With a strong bullpen and a lineup that should be improved both offensively and defensively, what is next for the Yankees?

Well, the rotation could really use another front-line starter, or just a starter in general for that matter.

While Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda were dominant last year, CC Sabathia could presumably return to the pitcher he once was and Ivan Nova has shown flashes of brilliance, all four are injury risks. That is only four starters, too: With Greene and McCarthy gone, the Yankees still need a fifth, and the only on-roster options are David Phelps, Adam Warren and Manny Banuelos.

While the Yankees could do worse, they could most certainly do better.

The big fish still in the pond is Max Scherzer. With him and Tanaka as a one-two punch and Pineda pitching as well as he did in 2014, the Yankees could go far. All it would take is one guy...and seven years...and, give or take, $180 million.

Scherzer will not be cheap, but with him the Yankees would have arguably the best pitching staff in an American League East Division currently dominated by hitting.

Does it have to be Scherzer? Of course not, but another top-of-the-rotation pitcher could do wonders for this team. At the very least, they need to consider someone to fill that fifth spot.

The rotation is the Yankees' biggest weakness. Sure, they could use another bat if they could move some pieces around, but going forward their focus should be on obtaining one more talented arm.

All stats were obtained via Baseball-Reference.com.

Question or comments? Feel free to follow me on Twitter @GPhillips2727 to talk New York Yankees and Major League Baseball.

Losing is a lousy way to attract free agents, but New York isn't a hopeless franchise located in the middle of nowhere. 

Playing for the Knicks offers enough amenities to rationalize talent taking on the challenge that comes along with New York's horrible record.

There are immense business opportunities to build a brand that few cities offer like New York. And more importantly, as Ian O'Connor of ESPNNewYork.com put it, in regards to winning a championship with the Knicks, "Someone, at some point, will end this biblical basketball drought in New York, and that man will be lionized forever." 

Becoming a champion in New York is a legendary feat that will never be forgotten in sports lore. 

Business Ventures

With New York being the financial capital of the world, any athlete looking to create a brand and further his business off the court would be foolish to not consider taking his chances as a member of the Knicks. 

Via Fred Kerber of the New York Post, Carmelo Anthony said the following: 

“I want to brand myself as the digital athlete. ... At the end of the day, we all know what’s my day job: basketball. That’s what my brand is built on, but I’m trying to take my brand to the next level, make it bigger, make it stronger."

Kerber also added, "And there is no better place to start up a venture capital firm than New York, Anthony claimed."

For an athlete looking to expand his net worth beyond his salary and endorsement deals, living in New York is the premier place to do so. 

If the Losing Continues

Reversing fortunes on this dismal season isn't likely, so if the losses keep piling up, the Knicks will be in decent shape to have a chance at a top-three draft pick.

Only two teams have a record worse than New York: the Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers. 

If the Knicks are fortunate enough to draft first, second or third overall, the organization would be positioned to add a franchise-caliber player to its roster without trading away assets or ruining its cap space.

One of Jahlil Okafor, Karl Towns or Emmanuel Mudiay would be a tremendous fit for the Knicks moving forward. And more importantly, adding a young piece like one of those three men to New York's current core will make the team appealing to free agents. 

Playing alongside Anthony and one of these youngsters could be enough to entice someone to take the chance at building something special in New York. 

Cap Space

At the moment, via ShamSports.com, the Knicks will have $41.4 million committed for the 2015-16 season. If the franchise dumps J.R. Smith's salary, another $6 million could be freed up.

With the salary cap potentially rising to $66.5 million, via CBAFAQ.com, New York will have about $25 million at its disposal. 

The Knicks could potentially add Greg Monroe and Arron Afflalo, or Robin Lopez and Goran Dragic. New York will also have Iman Shumpert as a restricted free agent, and Shump could be included in a sign-and-trade deal to add further depth to the organization. 

A perfect storm of a top-three draft pick plus two very good free agents will have the 2014-15 record looking like an anomaly.

Although the Knicks do not have a bevy of talent on their roster, New York possesses a decent cast of role players that can put this franchise on the right track with a great draft pick and a couple of favorable signings.

Tim Hardaway Jr., Quincy Acy, Cleanthony Early and Shane Larkin are young athletes with enough talent to be solid glue guys and contributors for a long time on a winning team.

Prospective free agents will need to disregard the struggles of this season and see the bigger picture. Playing with Anthony, potentially a rookie with franchise talent and New York's current role players will lead to many promising seasons. 

Winning a championship with the Knicks automatically cements the legacy of the players and casts each man into an echelon of immortality.