The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers announced a trade today which sends forward Travis Outlaw to the Sixers. In exchange for Outlaw, who was dealt along with a 2019 second-round draft pick, and the right to swap second-round picks in 2018, the New York Knicks received Arnett Moultrie, a Queens, New York native who had failed to catch on in Philly, even on a celler-dwelling Sixers team. Moultrie was promptly waived by New York.
Outlaw, owed $3 million guaranteed this season, had been expected to be a roster casualty for the Knicks. After playing in only two preseason games, in which he showed very little, Outlaw had reportedly been beaten out for the final roster spot by undrafted rookie Travis Wear, a 6-foot-10 forward out of UCLA.
Rather than simply eat the $3 million owed to Outlaw, team president Phil Jackson found a willing trade partner in the Sixers. Outlaw's contract carried a $3 million price tag for the New York Knicks, while Moultrie's deal is valued at $1.1 million, which depending on the details of the agreement, could save the Knicks up to $1.9 million in salary this season. More signifigantly, the deal will save the Knicks $4.7 million dollars in luxury tax money, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. With a total savings of over $6.5 million dollars, it makes the deal a no-brainer.
Moultrie, a 2012 late first-round draft pick of Miami's, who was then traded to Philadelphia, split time last season between the Sixers and their NBA Development League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers. In March, Moultrie was suspended five games by the NBA for violation of its drug policy.
Philadelphia has made no secret about their goal to amass draft picks and tank yet again this season in hopes of getting another top pick in next year's draft. After finishing last season with the second worst record in the league, the Sixers landed the third pick in the 2014 draft. Philiadelphia selected Joel Embiid, who is still recovering from a broken bone in his foot sustained in the weeks leading up to the draft, and who may not play at all this season. The Sixers have already waived Travis Outlaw along with Marquis Teague and Elliot Williams.
Knick Thoughts:
There didn't seem to be a lot of incentive for Phil Jackson to worry about the 2019 second-round pick. Jackson's contract with the Knicks expires after the 2018/19 season. Isiah Thomas pulled this move in the Eddy Curry trade, dealing picks in years after his contract was set to expire, but his were first rounders, and he wasn't saving Dolan $6.5 million dollars in the process. Another intelligent trade for Rookie President Phil Jackson.
The Knicks roster is now set with 15 players, including Wear.