With a 20-30 record and on the outside of the playoff bracket looking in as the All-Star Break nears, it would make sense for the New York Knicks to be sellers come the NBA trade deadline.
Not so fast.
According to USA Today Sports, the Knicks could be on the verge of making a blockbuster-type deal, one that the team is hoping includes Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo.
In January, Carmelo Anthony‘s wife, La La Anthony, told Bravo her husband was “definitely” going to re-sign with the Knicks in the offseason. According to the report, adding an All-Star caliber player like Rondo — sooner rather than later — would certainly increase the chances of ‘Melo remaining in New York.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the Celtics were looking to unload some of the team’s biggest contracts. ESPN suggested the team was willing to trade not only Rondo but Gerald Wallace, Jeff Green and Avery Bradley in order to clear some cap space.
Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has reiterated time and time again that his All-Star point guard is not on the trading block, but the Knicks aren’t buying that. According to USA Today Sports, New York believes that if the price is right, they can put together such an enticing package of players and expiring contracts that Boston will have no choice but to agree.
Amar’e Stoudemire is one player who may be included in the deal. Stoudemire has one more season remaining on his current contract. In addition, the Knicks could include Raymond Felton to take Rondo’s spot at the point, as well as a wing player such as Iman Shumpert — who is still playing under his rookie deal — or even Tim Hardaway Jr., who is enjoying a terrific rookie campaign.
Earlier in the week, reports surfaced that Knicks coach Mike Woodson is expected to be fired by the NBA’s All-Star Break next weekend. Madison Square Garden President James Dolan reportedly met with Anthony and another prominent Knicks player regrading Woodson’s future, while some players told ESPN New York they were growing tired of the coach.
However, Woodson may have bought himself another day as the Knicks defeated Anthony’s former club, the Denver Nuggets, Friday night. After the win, Woodson stated he was “very confident” he can turn the Knicks’ season around, citing the team is just 2.5 games out of the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Earlier last week, he called the Knicks’ season a disaster.
