What a surprise this was for Knicks fans. Just a short time ago the Knicks agreed to trade Tyson Chandler along with Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks. The Knicks aren’t getting any big names in return but we are getting some solid players along with draft picks for tomorrow’s draft! We all had a feeling Chandler might be on the way out of town and with the season Felton had it seems he needs a fresh start somewhere else. Hit the jump for more on the deal.

@IamJoeSports

The Mavericks, who immediately made reacquiring Chandler one of their priorities after their first-round playoff exit against San Antonio, completed a trade with the Knicks that was clinched by agreeing to take back the contract of New York’s out-of-favor guard Raymond Felton as well.

The trade cost Dallas two starters — point guard Jose Calderon and center Samuel Dalembert — along with prized young point guard Shane Larkin, reserve guard Wayne Ellington and the 34th and 51st picks in Thursday’s draft.

The departures of Chandler and Felton are believed to be just the start of a roster overhaul by new Knicks president Phil Jackson, with Jackson pursing as much salary-cap flexibility as he can in the hopes of convincing star free-agent-to-be Carmelo Anthony to stay.

“The journey to build this team for the upcoming season and beyond continues,” Jackson said in the announcement. “We have added players with this move that will fit right in to our system while maintaining future flexibility.

“We would like to thank Raymond and Tyson for their time and hard work with the organization over the past few years.”

Calderon is a talented guard who can create his own shots which is something the Knicks need badly. Not too mention the team now has two picks in tomorrow’s draft that they didn’t have before.

Tyson Chandler will be missed in New York with the personality he brought to the team. Felton definitely won’t be missed as much but is better off elsewhere.