NBA Trade Rumors: Where Lakers and Knicks Players Could Be Headed at Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are two of the NBA's marquee franchises. As always, there is a heightened sense of interest surrounding what each will do leading up to the trade deadline.

Thus far, both teams have had their share of struggles. Consequently, speculation regarding whether their problems can be resolved in-house, or require some wheeling and dealing, has run rampant.

With March 15 just over two weeks away, the rumor mills for the Knicks and Lakers will continue to churn at excessive speeds. 

And as per usual, clarity will not become a reality until the deadline passes.

Darius Morris to Atlanta Hawks

The Lakers are in desperate need of an upgrade at point guard, and have expressed an interest in acquiring Kirk Hinrich in the past.

If they are serious, Hinrich could be had if Los Angeles dangles rookie Darius Morris and one of their first-round picks in front of the Hawks.

Why the Lakers Do it:

Derek Fisher and Steve Blake are simply not cutting it in the backcourt. Fisher's legs are all but gone, and he has become a major liability on defense, while Blake is a poster-boy for inconsistency.

Hinrich presents an upgrade at both ends of the floor, and his contract expires at the end of the season, meaning if he doesn't fit in, the Lakers' mistake would be short-lived. 

Why the Hawks Do it:

Atlanta has looked out of sync ever since Hinrich returned. Morris presents them with a young prospect to develop into Jeff Teague's backup or a valuable trade asset, and the first-round pick would prove extremely useful in an upcoming draft laden with talent.

Chances of trigger being pulled: 20 percent

While Hinrich is a clear upgrade a point guard, he does present a substantial health risk, rendering the price too high. The Lakers would be better off using the first-round pick as leverage in a potential blockbuster. 

Amar'e Stoudemre, Tyson Chandler to Orlando Magic

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN reported Magic contacted the Knicks about a potential Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler swap for Dwight Howard. According to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post, New York is still interested.

The potential trade is not officially possible until March 1, when Chandler is eligible to dealt, and other players would have to be added for it to meet financial requirements, but it could still be done.

Why the Knicks do it:

Howard is the league's most dominant big man. He has honed his offensive skills and brings with him a defensive state of mind that is matched by no one.

Stoudemire helped revive New York's franchise, but he has struggled immensely this season. The team could welcome the opportunity to move his uninsured contract. 

Why the Magic do it:

Should the Magic decide to move Howard, they are not keen on the idea of rebuilding, preferring to receive veterans in return. Stoudemire and Chandler are two heralded big men who would keep Orlando in the playoff picture.

If established veterans are truly what the Magic crave, they wouldn't find a much better package.

Chances of trigger being pulled: 15 percent

Stoudemire's contract is a lot of heat for Orlando to take on, and while the Knicks would undoubtedly welcome Howard with open arms, taking on a bloated contract like Hedo Turkoglu's isn't ideal.

Pau Gasol to Boston Celtics

As long as the Lakers have a need for a point guard, a Pau Gasol-for-Rajon Rondo swap will remain a possibility.

The Celtics are reportedly interested in striking such a deal, and if we are to believe Mitch Kupchak's recent sentiments, so are the Lakers.

Another contract, like Jermaine O'Neal's, would have to be sent Los Angeles' way as well, in order to satisfy the financial requirements.

Why the Lakers do it:

As the Lakers scour the open market for a point guard, they won't do much better than Rondo. He is one of the league's best playmakers and can navigate the floor unlike any other.

With two prolific offensive weapons in Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum, there is no telling how much havoc Rondo would wreak on opposing defenses.

Why the Celtics do it:

Boston has shopped Rondo before, and with Kevin Garnett and O'Neal aging by the game, Gasol presents an opportunity to shore up the middle while keeping the team relevant for the foreseeable future.

The Celtics are also fans of Avery Bradley's potential, believing that the drop-off between him and Rondo is not significant.

Chances of trigger being pulled: 50 percent

Boston seems anxious to move on from Rondo, and if the Lakers miss out on Dwight Howard, there is strong possibility their attention shifts in Boston's direction.

Carmelo Anthony to Orlando Magic

As per Peter Vescey of the New York Post's source, the Knicks have made everyone readily available to the Magic, aside from Jeremy Lin. That includes Carmelo Anthony.

A straight-up swap works financially, but for Orlando to fulfill its purpose, Tyson Chandler would have to be included to fill the void left by Howard, and New York would have to be amenable to taking on Hedo Turkoglu's monster deal.

Why the Knicks do it:

Again, we are talking about Howard here. He holds a presence unlike any other big man in the league, including Chandler, and he's in good enough shape to run the floor in Mike D'Antoni's system.

The Knicks relinquished a king's ransom to bring in Anthony last season, but thus far, he has struggled to establish any continuity on the offensive end. He has put points on the board, but isn't shooting a great percentage from the floor.

Why the Magic do it:

Anthony is the highest-caliber player the Magic would receive in exchange for Howard. He is a bona fide superstar in his prime and can carry an entire team's offensive burden on his own.

While Chandler is no Howard, he does rival him defensively. He has also exhibited a much better touch around the rim, and leads the entire NBA in field goal percentage at over 70 percent.

Chances of trigger being pulled: 5 percent

Passing up the chance to acquire the league's best center is arguably laughable, but with all New York has invested in Anthony (Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton and Timofey Mozgov), it would be difficult to justify dealing him barely a year later, even for Howard.

Decimating the roster at a second-straight deadline isn't ideal for cohesion either. There is also no guarantee Howard remains with the Knicks beyond this season.

Chances of such a deal taking substantial shape are even slimmer if the Magic buy into the notion that Anthony's presence is a roadblock to success.

Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol to Orlando Magic

The Lakers continue to make headlines with regards to Dwight Howard's future.

The latest had Los Angeles sending both Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol to Orlando in exchange for the star center as part of a three-team deal with the Raptors, a rumor that the Magic denied.

While the Howard-to-Los Angeles chatter has subsided since the beginning of the season, it remains a distinct possibility.

Why the Lakers do it:

Howard provides the Lakers with a consistently dominant low-post presence to pair with the prolific Kobe Bryant. His presence alone would make Los Angeles instant contenders, and he also gives the team someone to build around when Bryant hangs it up.

The rumored deal also has the Lakers landing Jameer Nelson, who is having one of the worst seasons of his career, yet remains a clear upgrade over Derek Fisher and Steve Blake.

Why the Magic do it:

Most teams will struggle to give Orlando one competent big man in return for Howard, but the Lakers have two.

Even if the Magic are unable to pry both Bynum and Gasol from Los Angeles, either one keeps them in the playoff hunt and gives them a talent to build around.

Orlando also rids itself of Hedo Turkoglu's contract in such a deal, a relief in more ways than one.

Chances of trigger being pulled: 30 percent

Not only do the Magic seem increasingly likely to hold on to Howard past the trade deadline, but the Lakers may not be willing to play ball if it costs both Gasol and Bynum.

Should Orlando budge on its demands, though, this is a scenario that will pick up steam.

Pau Gasol to Minnesota Timberwolves

The Lakers reportedly have eyes for both the Timberwolves' Michael Beasley and Blazers' Raymond Felton, aspirations that have led to rumors of Pau Gasol being shipped to Minnesota.

Gasol has been the apple of the Timberwolves' eye before, as they attempted to acquire him prior to the 2011 NBA draft, making it clear they are open to striking an accord.

Why the Lakers do it:

Beasley is a clear upgrade at small forward over Matt Barnes and Metta World Peace. There is also the belief that his ticking time-bomb tendencies will cease to exist in an environment where there is an unquestioned leader and culture for winning.

Why the Timberwolves do it: 

Gasol and Kevin Love would form perhaps the best low-post tandem in the NBA. Both can play center, in addition to the power forward slot. 

The deal also presents an opportunity for Timberwolves to rid themselves of Beasley, who has become rotational headache.

Chances of trigger being pulled: Less than one percent

Even if Derrick Williams is included, the Lakers could get a much better return on Gasol from a number of different teams, and should they opt to pull Gasol off the table, they don't have much else of value to offer.

Don't expect this rumor to ever materialize.

Toney Douglas, Josh Harrellson to Cleveland Cavaliers

Prior to the emergence of Jeremy Lin, the Knicks, once again, were keeping an eye on the Cavaliers' Ramon Sessions.

Sessions has been the odd man out since he arrived in Cleveland two seasons ago, and is one of the few quality guards who could be had at a reasonable price, which in this case would be the likes of New York's Toney Douglas and rookie Josh Harrellson.

Why the Knicks do it:

Lin has erased the urgent need for a point guard, but it never hurts to have insurance. Baron Davis', like Lin's, production is anything but guaranteed, so Sessions presents the Knicks with other options.

Sessions is a versatile guard who can play the 1 or 2, meaning even with Davis and Lin, there would be minutes available. And the price of the now rarely-used Douglas and rookie Harrellson isn't a steep price to pay.

Why the Cavaliers do it:

As the Cavaliers begin to build around Kyrie Irving, there is even less of a need for Sessions. And Douglas, like Sessions, can play the 1 or 2, but comes at a fraction of the cost.

With Anderson Varejao's status up in the air, Harrellson adds some needed size to the rotation. He also serves as a viable stretch 4 replacement for Antawn Jamison upon season's end.

Chances of trigger being pulled: 25 percent

The Knicks' penchant for making blockbuster trades near the deadline has likely run its course, so a smaller-caliber move, such as this one, is what we are more likely to see.

That said, Cleveland has other options for Sessions, specifically the Lakers, who can provide not only salary cap relief, but a first-round draft pick as well. New York cannot deal a timely first-rounder. 

Pau Gasol to Houston Rockets

The Rockets have long coveted the presence of Pau Gasol, and nearly snagged him in the Chris Paul blockbuster that never was.

While it's a recurring theme, the Lakers are in desperate need of a change at point guard and are heavily interested in Houston's Kyle Lowry. Add Luis Scola to the mix and you have the framework of a deal that meets financial obligations, and is similar to the package put together during the Paul fiasco.

Why the Lakers do it:

Lowry is having a star-caliber season and is a major upgrade at the point guard position. He also gives the Lakers a younger player to build around post-Kobe Bryant.

Gasol's impact will be missed, but between the incoming Scola and newly-added Rasheed Wallace, Los Angeles has it covered.

Why the Rockets do it:

Gasol gives the Rockets a bona fide superstar to pair with Kevin Martin. He has extensive playoff experience and knows what it takes to win a championship—invaluable virtues Houston is in need of.

While Lowry is having a breakout season, the Rockets have two fit replacements in Goran Dragic and Jonny Flynn, making such a deal easily justifiable.

Chances of trigger being pulled: 65 percent

The framework of any deal is already in place, which is key, as is the Rockets' known interest in Gasol.

The biggest roadblock would be convincing Houston to relinquish Lowry. With Dragic and Flynn in their possession, though, it is an obstacle that has a high probability of being overcome.

Los Angeles' open negotiations regarding Gasol suggest his move is inevitable, and the Rockets are his most likely destination.

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