New York acquired Chris Wilcox from Thunder for Malik Rose; cash considerations. Both sides realized enough value that a decisive winner would overstate the result.
The Knicks sent Malik Rose and cash to Oklahoma City for Chris Wilcox at the 2009 deadline. Both players were on expiring contracts, so the move did not interfere with New York's plan to preserve future cap flexibility. Wilcox also offered a more active frontcourt option for the final two months of the season.
Wilcox appeared in 25 games for New York, averaging 13.2 minutes and 5.4 points while shooting 52.9 percent from the field. He did not become a long-term piece and left after the season, but the Knicks received a younger rotation big without adding future salary. The contract setting matters as much as the counting statistics because each acquired player was approaching free agency. New York obtained Wilcox for the final stretch of 2008-09 and did not take on a multiyear commitment from this exchange. Oklahoma City acquired Rose and cash without conceding a future draft pick, while Rose supplied 20 games of veteran frontcourt minutes. Wilcox appeared in 25 Knicks contests, gave New York a slightly younger option and shot effectively on limited attempts. These were short-term roster choices rather than the creation of a new trade tree. The matching B grades recognize that neither club gained much lasting control or franchise-level production.
Rose played 20 games for the Thunder after the trade, averaging 15.5 minutes and 5.0 points. Oklahoma City also received cash considerations. With both contracts expiring, the Thunder did not sacrifice a future asset or long-term flexibility in moving Wilcox.
New York received the slightly more productive player for its immediate roster, while Oklahoma City received usable veteran minutes plus cash. Neither side created a draft asset or downstream return, and both players were gone after the season. The completed value is too modest and too close to justify a decisive winner.
Even Trade — New York B, Oklahoma City B. Wilcox gave the Knicks 25 games of useful frontcourt depth on an expiring contract, while Rose gave the Thunder 20 games and came with cash. Both teams preserved future flexibility, and neither return produced lasting value. New York may have gained the better short-term player, but the gap is not large enough to break the even grade.