NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Players New York Knicks Could Target to Maintain Momentum

The New York Knicks finished the 2010-2011 NBA Season with a 42-40 record, the first time they finished over .500 in over a decade.

They made the playoffs as the sixth seed, but were swept by the Boston Celtics. Despite being swept, the Knicks still had a productive season. For the first time in years, there is hope for the Knicks.

Now, they need to build off the momentum they built last season. A step backward this season (if there is a season) would be disastrous for the franchise.

Here a list of 10 potential players the Knicks could target to keep up their winning ways.    

Steve Nash

At age 37, Steve Nash doesn't have many years left in him.

After seeing his former teammate and good friend, Dirk Nowtizki, win his first NBA Championship this season, I'm sure Nash is eager to get another chance. With the Suns, that won't happen.

There have been rumors of Nash to the Knicks in the past, but Nash has said he wants to remain with the Suns. The prospect of playing with Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony could change that.   

Monta Ellis

The Golden State Warriors have two talented, young guards on their roster in Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. 

The two have played in the backcourt together with mixed results. The Warriors are looking to build around Curry, which would leave Ellis on the outs.

While he wouldn't be a perfect fit at point guard, Ellis can play the position and would be a great fit in Mike D'Antoni's up tempo offense. 

D.J. Augustin

D.J. Augustin took a big step forward last year averaging 14.4 points and 6.1 assists per contest. 

However, that didn't stop the Charlotte Bobcats from drafting Kemba Walker in the first round in the 2011 NBA Draft. Both Augustin and Walker measure under 6'0", making it hard for the Bobcats to play both of them together.  

Trading Augustin would free up Walker to start and would give the Knicks a young (Augustin is only 23) and solid point guard.  

Jason Thompson

An intriguing option for the Knicks would be Jason Thompson. The Knicks have a glaring need for a big body to play next to Amar'e Stoudemire and Thompson fits the role at 6'11" and 250 pounds. 

The Kings traded for J.J. Hickson ensuring Thompson won't be starting this season. The Kings could be interested in Landry Fields or Toney Douglas. 

Ramon Sessions

Sessions isn't an exciting name, but he is a very solid point guard and is a realistic target for the Knicks. He averaged 13.3 points and 5.2 assists in 26.3 minutes of action per game last season. He is a decent defender and has very good handle. 

The Cavaliers have a logjam at point guard after drafting Kyrie Irving to go along with Baron Davis.

Sessions would be perfect as a backup behind Chauncey Billups and could start in 2012 after Billups' contract expires. 

Cole Aldrich

An interesting name for the Knicks to consider is Oklahoma City Thunder center Cole Aldrich. Alrich was drafted 10th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft and played sparingly as a rookie. 

The Thunder now have Kendrick Perkins and Nazr Mohammed, giving them a surplus of centers. 

While Aldrich didn't show much as a rookie, he still has potential and at least can be effective defensively.  

Tony Parker

Last offseason, it was reported that the Knicks and Spurs had talks regarding Tony Parker. However, nothing amounted to the talks and Parker signed a four year extension with the Spurs.  

Only a year into the deal, it looks like Parker could be on the move again. In the offseason, he made some comments saying the Spurs championship window had closed, but later backed off. 

The Spurs nearly traded him on draft night, but instead traded his backup, George Hill. The Spurs could still look to deal Parker to get younger and relieve themselves of his contract and the Knicks would undoubtedly be interested.  

Robin Lopez

Robin Lopez seemed to take a step backwards in his third year. His points, rebounds and field goal percentage all fell from the previous year. 

The Suns seemed to sour on Lopez as he fell behind Marcin Gortat last season and even lost minutes to rookie Garret Siler. There was also a report they tried to trade him during the draft.

However, Lopez is still just 23 and still developing. He wouldn't cost that much and would be a good gamble for the Knicks. He doesn't bring much on the offensive side of the ball, but the Knicks have plenty of that. His size and defense would be a nice compliment next to Amar'e Stoudemire.  

Dwight Howard

While Howard is going to be a target for the Knicks when he hits free agency next summer, the Magic could attempt to deal him mid-season, similar to what the Denver Nuggets did with Carmelo Anthony.

However, don't get your hopes up Knicks fans. A trade for Howard would be virtually impossible as the Knicks don't have nearly enough resources to entice the Magic.

Signing him in free agency remains a much more realistic possibility.  

Chris Paul

Obtaining Paul via trade is just as likely Howard. The Knicks just simply don't have anywhere near enough to offer the Hornets.

If the Knicks have the cap room next summer, Howard versus Paul will be a very interesting decision.