New York Knicks Preview: 5 Possible Starting Lineups for the 2011-2012 Season

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With rumors swirling and the free agency period approaching, let's imagine a few different scenarios for the New York Knicks' starting lineup come Christmas Day. It should be noted that the starting lineups are not specifically ordered in any particular manner relating to probability or practicality.

Scenario #1: No Major Changes

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This lineup is very likely, especially if the Knicks cannot obtain Chris Paul before the season begins.

PG: Chauncey Billups

SG: Landry Fields

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Amare Stoudemire

C: Ronny Turiaf

Sixth Man: Toney Douglas

Scenario #2: CP3 to NYC

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If the Knicks organization can make a deal with the NBA-owned New Orleans Hornets, Chris Paul could be in a Knicks jersey in time for the 12:00 pm start vs. the Boston Celtics on Christmas day.

PG: Chris Paul

SG: Bill Walker

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Amare Stoudemire

C: Ronny Turiaf

Sixth Man: Shawne Williams (under the condition that he is resigned in the off-season)

Scenario #3: Miss out on Chris Paul, Sign DeAndre Jordan

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Jordan is a restricted free agent, and the Knicks are interested. Jordan is athletic and could fill a hole in the current Knicks roster. If the Knicks decide to pursue Jordan and not Chris Paul, they should also pursue veteran Grant Hill.

PG: Chauncey Billups

SG: Landry Fields

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Amare Stoudemire

C: DeAndre Jordan

Sixth Man: Grant Hill

Scenario #4: Plan to Sign Chris Paul in 2012 and Treat Free Agency Accordingly

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If the Knicks truly lack the assets to trade for Chris Paul, they might bank on signing the point guard next summer.

To do this, they have to be careful during free agency, making sure they have the cap space. Grant Hill would likely sign a cheap deal to play for a winner, or even simply a one-year contract. Hill is a great defender and could really help the young Knicks. Perhaps the Knicks could also ink Kurt Thomas or Joel Pryzbilla.

PG: Chauncey Billups

SG: Landry Fields

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Amare Stoudemire

C: Joel Pryzbilla

Sixth Man: Grant Hill

Scenario #5: Trade for Dwight Howard Instead of Chris Paul

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The Hornets are owned by the league, which might make them less likely to trade their star player for next to nothing.

The Orlando Magic are a different story. The Magic seem very inclined to trade Howard soon. Why not to the Knicks for a few draft picks, a veteran Chauncey Billups, and a young contributor in Landry Fields?

To top it off, the Knicks could sign Sebastian Telfair to a relatively cheap contract and make him the starting point guard.

PG: Sebastian Telfair

SG: Carmelo Anthony

SF: Shawne Williams

PF: Amare Stoudemire

C: Dwight Howard

Sixth Man: Bill Walker