The New York Knicks were definitely considered buyers on the NBA trade market in the weeks leading up to Thursday’s deadline, but the team’s most valuable commodity is now injured and may have precluded them from making any deals.
Iman Shumpert sprained his MCL in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night and could be out for multiple weeks. There are conflicting reports about whether his injury is affecting the Knicks’ ability to complete a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for Darren Collison.
I’m told Shumpert/Collison deal still a possibility, as is Beno Udrih for Jordan Hamilton
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) February 20, 2014
However, Yahoo! Sports reported trades talks have collapsed between the two sides even before Shumpert went down. The report indicates the Knicks wanted the Clippers to take Raymond Felton in the deal, and the Clippers were hesitant. The Clippers also did not want to part ways with rookie Reggie Bullock or any draft picks.
The Knicks remain interested in making a trade for a point guard. They have been linked to the Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry and the Atlanta Hawks’ Jeff Teague over the past few days.
The Los Angeles Lakers are falling deeper and deeper out of contention, and they are reportedly looking to unload power forward Jordan Hill. According to multiple reports, the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Bobcats and the Pelicans are talking with Los Angeles about Hill.
Strong chance Jordan Hill moved by deadline, sources tell ESPN. Lakers deep into talks with Nets, Charlotte, New Orleans on him.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 20, 2014
Nets and Lakers expected to circle back in the morning on a deal that would send Jordan Hill into Brooklyn’s disabled player exception.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 20, 2014
New Orleans also has a disabled player exception, freshly received today, into which Jordan Hill would fit. Lakers and Pelicans talking.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 20, 2014
According to the latest NBA trade rumors at ESPN, both Hill and Chris Kaman could be dealt before the deadline. Then the Lakers would stick with Pau Gasol until the summer when they will attempt to either re-sign him or make him available via a sign-and-trade.
Last tweet what some rival execs now expect Lakes to do. Trade Hill. Trade Kaman. Then roll w/Pau into July to re-sign or sign-and-trade him
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 20, 2014
Whether Rajon Rondo will be dealt or not remains to be seen, but it’s apparent there are teams making a push for the All-Star point guard.
The Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, and Knicks are all trying to acquire Rondo, according to multiple reports. The Kings have reportedly offered a package including Isaiah Thomas, while it remains to be seen whether the Rockets or Knicks have enough ammo to make a deal worthwhile.
But if Rondo stays put, some of his teammates could very easily be on the move. Brandon Bass and Kris Humphries are both on the block, and Boston reportedly has interest in trading for the Utah Jazz’s Gordon Hayward.
Check out all of the latest NBA Trade Rumors!
