Knicks Trade Rumors Tracker: Latest Updates Ahead of NBA Trade Deadline

The New York Knicks have had a fantastic first half of the season leading up to the Feb. 21 trade deadline, so there likely won't be a huge shakeup of the roster.

But teams are always looking to improve and the Knicks might look to add some complementary pieces before the deadline.

New York is currently battling the Miami Heat for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference after a disappointing early exit in the playoffs last season. Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire lead the squad.

Here's a look at trade rumors surrounding the New York Knicks.

Phoenix Suns Eyeing Iman Sumpert

According to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the New York Knicks are likely going to start fielding—or ignoring, depending upon your perspective—calls from the Phoenix Suns concerning the availability of Iman Shumpert.

Wojnarowski suggests that Jared Dudley and a first-round pick might be dangling in front of Knicks management in potential trade talks, and also that Phoenix is determined to exhaust every chance at bringing Shumpert to town:

Here's an excerpt from the NBA insider's piece:

"

After regretting they passed on Shumpert in the 2011 NBA draft, the Suns pushed the Knicks to include him in sign-and-trade scenarios discussed for Steve Nash in July. In the past week, the Suns have scouted Shumpert in person, sources said.

"

As of Feb. 9, Shumpert was averaging 5.6 points per game since returning from an ACL injury that forced him out of the 2012 NBA playoffs. He has started all 11 games since returning from injury in January.

We'll continue to keep you updated on this trade scenario, and if it has any legs heading into the Feb. 21 trade deadline.

Team Needs

Rebounding

The Knicks ranked 23rd in rebounds per game through Feb. 2. They ranked 19th in rebounding differential.

They have actually been solid limiting second-chance points (best in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game allowed), but they could use someone who could nab some offensive rebounds for them.

Defense

Mike Woodson has certainly helped make the Knicks a better defensive team, but they could still improve in that regard.

While New York is allowing 95.7 points per game this season (seventh in the league), they are tied for 18th in the NBA in opponents' field-goal percentage.

Fresh Legs

The Knicks aren't exactly the youngest team in the NBA. Of the 15 players currently on the roster, eight of them are 30 years of age or older. That includes four players 35 years of age or older.

Giving a bit more rest to the older players could help preserve the team better for the playoffs. 

Lou Amundson to the Knicks?

The Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly interested in Minnesota Timberwolves forward Lou Amundson, according to Darren Wolfson of ESPN1500.com.

Wolfson notes that Amundson would probably cost a protected second-round pick at the most.

It's an interesting proposition for the Knicks. Amundson is a bit player (he's currently averaging just over eight minutes per game in Minnesota), but he could give them some more depth in the frontcourt. 

The 30-year-old has averaged 10.1 rebounds per 36 minutes for his career. He has also shot 49 percent from the field and the 6'9", 225-pound forward can run the floor.

The Knicks ranked 23rd in the NBA in rebounds per game through Feb. 2 so a little help on the glass wouldn't be a bad idea. 

Knicks Likely Won't Deal Amar'e Stoudemire

In January, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com noted that "team executives involved in exploratory trade talks" said that the Knicks were dangling Amar'e Stoudemire.

Of course, despite coming off the bench, Stoudemire has played very well for the club since the report. He'll never be a great rebounder for his size, but he's shooting 59 percent from the field this season and blocking shots. 

On top of that, he appears to have accepted his role off the bench and he's getting a fair amount of shots when he's on the floor. The Knicks have won eight of 10 games through Feb. 4 since the report.

Also, Stoudemire's injury history and the fact that he still has $45 million remaining on his contract after this season will probably scare away teams, anyway.