NBA Rumors: Kurt Thomas and 5 Potential Additions for the New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are looking for some help. They have made two blockbuster moves in the last year, and they are gearing up to make a third blockbuster move next summer.

For now, they are just looking for some immediate help. With Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, they have the star power to compete for a title. However, they need a supporting cast that will actually help in a quest for one.

The Knicks are looking for one-year center (Dwight Howard is a free agent in 2012), and a solid backup point guard (Chris Paul, Deron Williams in 2012). While that may stall their winning ways, with some luck, the Knicks could find a player that could actually help them rise in the Eastern Conference.

J.J. Barea

J.J. Barea wants to re-sign in Dallas. However, that is not a foregone conclusion.

If he can't reach a deal with the defending champs, he would be out on the free agent market. He has listed the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks as possible destinations outside of Dallas. He proved he can be a solid energy guy/starting point guard for a championship team, and each of those teams could use an upgrade (assuming Chauncey Billups is on his last legs).

While I expect Barea to re-sign with Dallas, he would be an interesting addition to the Knicks.

Kwame Brown

Even though many people consider Kwame Brown one of the biggest busts in NBA history (rightfully so), he had a pretty solid season last year. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Brown is "on the [Knicks'] radar."

Last year, the former No. 1 pick averaged 7.9 points and 6.8 rebounds a night. While that's not what a first pick should average, those are sufficient numbers for a starting center. The Knicks need a big body to play alongside Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, and Brown could fit that mold.

He is not a fantastic player, but Brown is slowly turning into a reliable option at center. At the end of the day, the Knicks simply need just that next year.

Aaron Gray

He may not be a household name, but Aaron Gray played extremely well against the Los Angeles Lakers in last year's playoffs.

Now Gray is opting for free agency, which could land him a solid short-term deal with a contender. The New York Knicks are looking for bangers in the post, and according to Marc Berman, Gray would "pique their interest."

The Knicks have not formally looked into Gray, but with him becoming a free agent, you can be sure that they will be asking him if he has any interest playing in New York.

Julyan Stone

Julyan Stone went undrafted last week, but the New York Knicks were interested in him throughout the process.

According to Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD, he will meet with the Knicks on Thursday, and the two parties will go from there. The Knicks are adamant about finding another point guard, even though they spent their first-round pick on one (Iman Shumpert).

Stone is a solid point guard, and it is obvious that the Knicks like him. Depending on how Thursday's meeting goes, the Knicks could give the kid a chance.

Kurt Thomas

He may be the oldest player in the league, but Kurt Thomas still has some gas left in the tank. According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the "Knicks intend to make a run at reacquiring Thomas this summer."

He was a solid contributor to the Chicago Bulls' run to the NBA's best record. He provides an inside toughness that the Knicks seemed to lack for nearly all of last season. He has played for the Knicks before (1999-2005), and he has made it known that "he has a lot of friends [in New York]," which could result in him finishing his career as a Knick.

The Knicks are in desperate search of a one-year center that will still help them win playoff games. Thomas could be that center.