The New York Knicks are currently ranked second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 32-18, and in the lead up to the trade deadline many would expect this extremely talented and somewhat successful Knicks roster not to change.
“I love this team, I love the chemistry we have on this team and if it aint broke, don’t fix it” – Carmelo Anthony on Knicks possible trades
Unfortunately cracks have started to appear in this impressive Knicks roster, injury concerns to both Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace have hurt the Knicks on the defensive end and it has become blindingly obvious that Knicks guards Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni cannot get it done against the elite back courts of the league. In fact Jason Kidd has twice missed consecutive games due to back spasms. It is because of all of these reasons and many more that trade rumors are starting to circulate in the lead up to Thursdays trade deadline.
First lets take a look at the pieces the Knicks have to work with here. It is obvious that All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalists, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler are not in any danger, as is the case for Raymond Felton whose importance on this Knicks roster was clearly measured whilst he missed games due to a finger injury and the Knicks stumbled through the next ten games going 6-5.
Reports have provided us with an understanding that although Amare Stoudemire has been playing at an efficient level since his return from injury he is still on the block and has been offered to any team that is willing to take on his uninsured contract. Ronnie Brewer is a player that has fallen out of favor and out of form, he is seeing no minutes for the Knicks and could be an exciting prospect for a team looking to improve their defense and ability to run the floor. Chris Copeland has also fallen out of favor when it comes to the Knicks rotation and his name has been linked to some package deals and trade rumors. Although he has never really looked comfortable out there under Woodsons reign as head coach, Steve Novak holds the third highest three point percentage in the league (.447%) and would be an asset for any team looking to stretch the floor.
So here are the facts, rumors and possible trades.
- It has been reported that the Timberwolves have placed there 32 year old 6’2 backup pg, Luke Ridnour on the block. And with the Knicks reaching out to the Timberwolves about a possible trade all speculation points to Ronnie Brewer. The Timberwolves reportedly pursued Brewer and made him an offer in last summers free agency period. Now due to the fact that Brewer is signed to the league minimum, the contracts do not match up and because of this there is talk surrounding possibly packaging up Chris Copeland in to the deal. It must be said that Steve Novaks contract matched up perfectly with Ridnours and that would be an easy one for one deal, which may not be so bad for the Knicks as he is a career 35% three point shooter.
- Iman Shumpert is on the trading block, there is no escaping that and all reports point toward the Knicks looking to deal him for an older, more experienced guy with a proven level of talent. With Shumpert returning from an ACL injury it is hard to have an opinion on this one although It must be said that the Knicks window for success is now and they cannot wait another year for Shumpert to return to full strength. Now The Phoenix Suns have shown strong interest in the Knicks 22 year old excitement machine and many rumors are speculating that they are looking to trade Dudley along with a future first round pick for the young Knicks guard. Now it has been reported that the Knicks refused the offer, however there is interest there and a lot can change between now and Thursday.
- Amare Stoudemire is a name that many things have been linked to in recent years, none more so than the word TRADE! Although Amare has won back Knicks fans with his recent comeback after injury, it is clear there is no room in the starting five for him, so where can he go? Well one team that just might be interested in him is the LA Lakers, financially a Stoudemire and Novak for Pau Gasol works and we know Mike D’Antoni loves Amare Stoudemire, as well as the fact that Novaks coming out party really took place under D’Antoni and his fast paced, shoot first system.
Now free agency is another issue for the Knicks that has been haunting them recently, and with the injury to Rasheed Wallace dragging along for what seems to be an eternity many fans are asking the question, will he ever be back? Now like I have stated, the Knicks window is now and they cannot afford to wait for the veteran big man. Kenyon Martin and Lou Amundson are two guys who can come in for the Knicks and provide good positive minutes, both of which can get rebounds and play defense. At the moment only rumors have surrounded both of these guys, however if no trades are made do not be surprised to see the acquisition of one of these big men which will result in an unfortunate termination of a current Knicks contract.
Brent Kitchin
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