NBA Trade Rumors: Which Rumored Deal Involving NY Knicks Makes the Most Sense?

The 2011 NBA Draft has come and gone, meaning we can officially move beyond “Jimmer Mania” and start focusing on those who are actually on the New York Knicks roster.

Not entirely true.

Yes, we can now begin to focus on things like Carmelo Anthony’s conditioning, Amar’e Stoudemire’s and Chauncey Billups’ health issues, but until we know what direction New York is heading (“big three” formation or balanced attack), trade speculation is going to dominate headlines.

And why shouldn’t it?

After all, since their elimination from the playoffs, the Knicks have been the stars of an array of puzzling circumstances.

First, Donnie Walsh, the man responsible for putting together a relevant team, is basically shown the door.

And most recently, the Knicks make a slightly questionable pick, drafting Georgia Tech’s Iman Shumpert to add to their arsenal of guards, when forwards Chris Singleton of FSU and Kenneth Faried of Morehead, were still available.

What has this all added up to?

New York, as usual, have been mentioned in what seems like a thousand different trade scenarios.  

It comes as surprising to some given the limited number of coveted assets the Knicks possess, but to the rest of us, finding their way to center stage in the trade rumor mill is all in a day’s news for New York.

As it was last year, and the year before that, it seems that the Knicks are likely headed for another roster shake-up by next season’s trade deadline, which is why we cannot focus solely on the current roster structure.

So without further delay, lets take a look at the top 5 trade rumors that involve the Knicks, in order of increasing sensibility.

Amar'e Stoudemire for Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard

An Amar’e Stoudemire for Dwight Howard swap is a trade that should have never hit the rumor mill.

But it did. 

Back in April, just after both the Magic and Hornets were eliminated from the playoffs, Marc Berman of the New York Post noted how the Knicks had their eye on both Paul and Howard.

Berman, also went on to state how the Knicks, after the Carmelo Anthony trade, lacked the assets to obtain Howard, which prompted many to realize that Stoudemire could be used as an asset in such a trade, as a capable big man to fill the void left by Howard in Orlando.

This trade does not make sense for the Knicks for a number of reasons.

First off, Stoudemire along would not be enough to entice the Magic. Orlando would probably seek Landry Fields, Chauncey Billups’ expiring contract from the Knicks, as well as expect New York to take back Gilbert Arenas or or Hedo Turkoglu in return. 

Such a cost for Howard is way too high. Yes, he is one of the best centers the game has ever seen, but does acquiring him at the expense of Stoudemire make the Knicks any better? 

No.

Stoudemire had a break out year, proving his critics wrong, averaging 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and nearly two blocks per game. His defense was amazing at times, but weak at more times. However, Stoudemire showed potential on that end of the ball and should do well if the Knicks hire a defensive-oriented assistant.

Howard as just impressive a year, once again single-handedly carrying the Magic, averaging 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. He is an extremely talented player, especially on defense, which has led to such a deal even being discussed in New York.

However, should the Knicks even attempt such a trade, their reputation will be tarnished, not necessarily by fans, but by prospective players.

How so?

Yes, the NBA is a business, but there is some attachment between player and team. How would it look if the Knicks trade away the player that led the resurgence of a desperate team, even before the arrival of Carmelo Anthony?

Bad, to say the least.

The Knicks already have a tough time maintaining a player friendly environment with own James Dolan constantly involved of battle of the wills, and given that they just kicked one of the best GM’s in the history of the NBA out the door, the organization is maxed out on this year’s “image diminishing” decision quota.

Would Howard be a great addition? 

Yes, but not at the expense of Stoudemire.

Should the Knicks find a way to get him otherwise, or he find a way to force his way to New York, then great. 

But in regards to this scenario, such a transaction makes little sense.

Chauncey Billups for Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash

Chauncey Billups for Steve Nash is a trade that makes a lot of sense for the Knicks, and one who many will feel should be much higher on the list as a result.

However, when I use the word sensible at the beginning of the slideshow, it was in terms of not only good for the team, but feasible as well.

There is no way that the Suns go for a straight up trade like this one.

Both Nash and Billups may be aging and have expiring deals, but Nash has more trade value. They have comparable numbers, Nash averaged 14.7 points and 11.4 assists per game last season, and Billups put up 16.8 and 5.4 a game, but Nash has a better health bill.

For Phoenix to consider such a trade, the Knicks would almost certainly have to include Landry Fields, Toney Douglas or Iman Shumpert. And at that point, the Knicks would be trading youth for age, which isn’t justifiable.

Chris Sheridan of ESPN acknowledged that the Knicks had inquired about Nash's availability, and he completed a trade scenario via ESPN Trade Machine where the Knicks send Billups, Douglas and Bill Walker to Phoenix in exchange for Nash and Josh Childress.

It is not a terrible trade, but Childress has four years and $25 million remaining on his contract, killing the Knicks dream of ever signing another max free agent next summer.

Yes, Nash is an upgrade over Billups, but he is not your point guard of the future, so giving away any young assets for him would prove to be a mistake.

Chauncey Billups, Landry Fields, Future First Round Pick for Spurs’ Tony Parker

Tony Parker potentially coming to New York has long been a rumor, though it was put on the back burner for awhile, especially after he inked a four year, $50 million dollar extension with San Antonio last season.

However, during the days leading up to the NBA draft, the Spurs assumed the role of the person who makes a decision the night before and wakes up instantly regretting it. San Antonio was rumored to have been shopping Parker once again. 

We all remember last Summer when Amar'e Stoudemire openly admitted to the media he had spoke with Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker, and they were prepared to join him in New York.  

The aforementioned event, probably the reason the Knicks are mentioned as a potential destination now that the Spurs are shopping him again.

Moving away from the puzzling the decision of the Spurs to sign Parker to an extension and then decide to trade him, this trade does not make much sense for the Knicks.

Even Tony Parker openly addressed the rumors in a video via the New York Post, and he said he does not envision himself in a Knicks uniform.

But still, the speculation continues.

The headlined trade is only an estimate of what it would take to get Parker. There are so many potential deals that have been thrown around, but this is one of the more realistic one. However, it is possible the Knicks would have to take on, or get a third team involved to take on the contract of Richard Jefferson. 

Why doesn’t this trade make much sense for the Knicks?

Parker would arguable complete New York’s “big three” formation, but for how long would they be a “big three”?

Last season, Parker averaged 17.5 points, 6.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game, which are very solid numbers. There is no doubt that he would be an upgrade over Billups, especially on the defensive end. 

However, the Knicks would find themselves relinquishing youth in exchange for age in this deal.  Parker will be 30 next May, and who knows where his game will go from there. And if it turns out he is one of the players who begins their rapid decline at 30, the Knicks would be on the hook for another three years. 

Landry Fields and Toney Douglas may never reach Parker’s level, but they have not yet reached their full potential, and to trade them for a player who may be past his prime is too much of a risk.

If New York is to package both Fields and Douglas in a deal, they need to make sure they are getting back more than someone like Parker.   

A Parker deal becomes a bit more sensible if the Knicks can hang on to either Fields or Douglas. But at the same time, it is not very sensible to make such a deal if Chris Paul’s and Deron Williams’ situations are not resolved.

Here is the link to video in which both Tony Parker and Steve Nash address recent rumors: http://bit.ly/kgMXqg

Toney Douglas and a Second Round Draft Pick for Cavaliers’ Ramon Sessions

The Knicks pursued Sessions back when he was a free agent in 2009 and further pursued him this past season when the Cavs put him on the trade block.

Now the Cavs are shopping him again.  And as Josh Alper of NBC New York reported when the Knicks were inquiring about Johnny Flynn, their preference remained Sessions.

A Toney Douglas for Ramon Sessions swap makes a lot of sense for New York.

Douglas had a solid season this past year, averaging 10.6 points, three assists and over one steal per game. His defense is a welcomed contribution on an offensive oriented team like the Knicks, but he still draws criticism for his decision making.

Douglas has struggled distinguishing between times to shoot and times to pass.  Additionally, his court vision is below average for a point guard.

Like Douglas, Sessions had a very solid year. He averaged 13.3 points and 5.2 assists per game for Cleveland last season. His court vision is tremendous and fits the bill for the backup point guard the Knicks are searching for.

One hangup on this deal is Sessions’ value to the Cavs. After drafting Kyrie Irving with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Sessions becomes expendable to Cleveland, but they are not about to give him up for nothing.

The Cavs may push for a future first round pick from the Knicks, and even then the Cavs still might want Landry Fields instead of Douglas.  

New York is not going to want to relinquish Fields in such a trade, and will be turned off at the idea of having to give up a first rounder, when some still believe Douglas develop into just what the Knicks need.

If the Knicks can get Sessions at a reasonable price, he would give the Knicks some scoring power off the bench behind Billups, and could even work his way into the starters role, especially if Billups gets injured.

He could also prove a valuable trade chip, after December of course, in any Chris Paul to New York negotiations.

Whomever, Whatever It Takes (Sans Carmelo and Amar’e) for Chris Paul

If it is one thing to be noted about this list, it’s that it is dominated by point guards. 

The Knicks are searching for that proven or up and coming talent to lead and direct their team, and Chris Paul would be a great end to said search.

Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote that "according to an NBA source, the Knicks are planning on only offering one-year deals this summer to free agents" in order to maintain cap flexibility next Summer when Paul is slated to hit the open market.

However, the Knicks may not get the chance to sign him via free agency.  After the LeBron James fiasco in Cleveland, teams want to ensure they get the most out of their star's departure, which means New Orleans would almost certainly trade Paul.

While Paul may be the most sensible acquisition for the Knicks,  he is also the hardest one to obtain. Forget that New Orleans will be reluctant to part with their star, the real issue is the limited number of assets the Knicks have to offer.

Such a trade would almost certainly cost the Knicks Chauncey Billups, Landry Fields, and either Toney Douglas or Iman Shumpert. The Knicks would also have to throw in some first round picks to sweeten the pot.

One of the potential plans is to gauge the Hornets interest in Douglas or Shumpert, and then try to turn the least preferable into a first rounder. New York could also try to get Ramon Sessions for Douglas and a second rounder, and then dangle Sessions as bait.

Additionally, cash would also have to exchange hands in any deal.

Even if the Knicks can put together such a package, it remains a long shot that they can land Paul in the logical sense.  New Orleans could get a better deal from any number of teams.

If Paul is to become a Knick, he is going to have to will his way to New York by forcing the Hornets’ hand. He has to tell them he will play for no other team and they will be forced to deal with what the Knicks can offer.

And we are not talking Carmelo Anthony-like force here either, because that was a disaster. People maintain that Anthony forced his way to New York, and if that was the case they would not have had to give up an arguable all-star player in Raymond Felton and two future all-stars in Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari.

Paul has to actually make it clear to the Hornets he is willing to wait for free agency, and then the Knicks can become major players.

Why is it the most sensible trade for the Knicks when it involves them giving up the most?

Well, regardless of whether or not you support the “big three” concept, you have to admit that every move New York has made thus far has been motivated by such a possibility.

Additionally, although it involves the Knicks relinquishing all of their assets, it has to be noted that New York now has very little assets to work with.  

Billups’ expiring contract and Landry Fields are the biggest assets the Knicks have. Douglas is one as well, but he is not nearly intriguing to other teams as Fields, a versatile, rebounding two guard.

Paul would be an instant upgrade at the point over Billups and anyone else the Knicks are inquiring about around the league.  He averaged 15.8 points and 9.8 assists per game last season.

Paul’s knock is his bill of health, but he is well worth the risk.

His court vision is rivaled by few, and his ability to run the floor and play tight, capable defense makes him not only a perfect fit, but exactly what the Knicks need.