Knicks take adjusted roster to Washington

(SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Knicks shed players earlier this week and they'll try and see if the move helps when they visit the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

The Knicks, who now own the worst record in the league at 5-32, sent Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday as part of a three-team trade.

The Knicks got little in return, but did rid themselves of Smith's antics and his salary for next season. They got back Malcolm Thomas, Lou Amundson, Alex Kirk and a second-round pick, but none of those players is expected to remain with the team.

New York also released center Samuel Dalembert.

"I think Phil (Jackson) is continuing to look at how we transition as we change the culture of the New York Knicks," said head coach Derek Fisher. "I don't think this signals the end of our transition process."

On the court, the Knicks have been dreadful, losers of 12 straight.

On Monday, New York fell to the Memphis Grizzlies, 105-83, in its fifth consecutive double-digit loss.

With Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire out with injuries, Quincy Acy paced New York with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Jose Calderon finished with 13 points and six assists in the loss.

Anthony missed his third straight with a sore left knee, but stated in a video appearing on Bleacher Report, he is not ready to shut it down for the season. He will however miss Wednesday's game with the Wizards.

Stoudemire sat for his sixth consecutive game with a knee injury.

The Wizards return to Washington after a 2-3 road trip. They started strong with a victory over the Houston Rockets, but lost three in a row against formidable foes in the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

On Monday, Washington halted the slide with a 92-85 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

John Wall had 15 points, 12 assists and four steals to lead the Wizards. Paul Pierce netted 14 points and Andre Miller added 12 off the bench for the Wizards.

"Defense, we got back to our concepts," Wall said. "Our main focus is to get to 100, but to keep the other team under 100."

The Wizards beat the Knicks twice this season, both in Madison Square Garden, and have won five straight in this series. The Knicks are 5-2 in their last seven in our nation's capital.