Knicks Talk: Why NY Should Revisit Amar'e Stoudemire Trade Options

Linsanity has died down—just a little bit—and so has the hype surrounding this New York Knicks team, which many deemed contenders while superstars Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire were not playing.

Now you've got people questioning whether it would be a good idea for the Knicks to trade any of their stars in order to get better.

I never thought I'd see the day.

Especially not with the way Melo forced himself out of Denver or the way the Knicks hailed the arrival of Stoudemire.

Let's be real, Melo isn't going anywhere. He's still one of the best scorers in the league, despite the drop in numbers. The drop in numbers is a direct result of too many scorers being out on the floor at the same time.

Too much scoring, not enough defense.

With a starting lineup consisting of Lin, Melo, Stoudemire, Chandler and now Shumpert, the Knicks do not need any more scoring.

That being said, Stoudemire is still one of the best big men in the game today.

Don't laugh, it's true.

Earlier in the season, there was a report from ESPN's Stephen A. Smith of the Magic's willingness to take Stoudemire and Chandler in return for Dwight Howard. It almost seems like the Magic would be the winners of such a trade.

However, not when you think about it.

Howard is the reigning defensive player of the year. What is the Knicks' problem? They don't play enough defense. What's more, the Knicks are looking to make themselves contenders in an Eastern Conference in which only two teams are really competing for the championship. That is, the Bulls and the Heat.

It's no secret that the Heat's weakness is at the five position. Why not expose it with the acquisition of Dwight Howard? Steve Novak could step in and find many more open shots, just like Ryan Anderson has this season. Even Jared Jeffries could step in and play bigger minutes.

The point is, the Knicks should get Stoudemire out of there if they can find someone to increase their chances in their quest for a championship. Dwight Howard could be that man.

I know the Knicks are not exactly defensive gurus, but it's going to take a little bit of it if they want to see their team on top once again.

Howard could be the answer to all of their problems.