Dwight Howard, Chris Paul to NY: If It Came Down to It, Who Do Knicks Choose?

Should the NBA lockout cancel the entire season, premiere athletes like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul will immediately enter free agency.

This was once a scenario that seemed implausible, yet it is becoming more realistic by the day. While the New York Knicks and their fans shouldn't embrace a cancelled season, there is no doubt it helps their chances of assembling a big three at least somewhat.

So, if both Howard and Paul hit the open market and New York decides it is comfortable filling out the rest of its roster with minimum contracts—CBA willing of course—which star should be their primary focus?

The Knicks, heading into next summer, have a clear need at both the point guard and center positions. It is believed that Paul was always the more viable option of the two because he seemed more likely to force his way into New York

But free agency changes everything.

Paul is one of the best playmakers in the game, perhaps even the best. He averaged 15.9 points, 9.8 points and 2.4 steals per game last season. He also single-handedly carried the Hornets to competence in their series against the Lakers. 

As far as his defense goes, Paul is one of the best perimeter defenders in the game. His quickness allows him to make sharp lateral movements and he's a kleptomaniac when it comes to steals.

Howard and his 6'11" stature hold a completely different presence on court. Last season, he averaged 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.

Defensively, there is no one more dominant than Howard and he now boasts a much improved offensive game.

So, what are the Knicks to do? They can make offers to both, but obtaining only one is feasible.

Paul is guaranteed to fit in with New York. He is a floor general with the tools to direct such a star-studded offense.

That being said, with a dominant center being such a rare commodity, Howard may be the way to go. 

Paul is great, but let's face it, with the emerging news of Carmelo Anthony having two surgeries and Amar'e Stoudemire's murky health bill, the Knicks aren't exactly a wealth of durable. Paul and his history of knee problems only add fuel to that fire.

Howard is the epitome of physical fitness and the pinnacle of durability. He brings certainty into an arguably uncertain rotation.

Is there enough room for both Stoudemire and Howard in the paint? Yes, especially considering Stoudemire doesn't spend as much time as he used to down there. 

Stoudemire's inside out game leaves Howard to set up camp in the low-post and be the unquestioned anchor. Additionally, the two would form arguably the best low-post tandem since Tim Duncan and David Robinson.

When deciding between Paul and Howard, it is impossible to be completely wrong. That being said, there are a number of cheap veteran point guards that will not be as capable or effective, but competent enough at running the offense. The same cannot be said of anchoring New York's low-post.

Furthermore, targeting a premiere point guard increases the likelihood that Stoudemire has to continue handle the center duties full-time. He has an edge over most athletically and like Howard, he is fitness guru, but he is not built to take on close to 300 pound players on a daily basis. Considering his health is already questionable, Howard's presence relieves more of a burden down low than most can imagine.

Targeting Howard over Paul was not part of the plan, but allowing Donnie Walsh to march off into the sunset wasn't apart of the plan either.  

So if it comes down to it, New York should stray further away from the original blueprint and attempt to form perhaps the most unlikely big three anyone could have imagined.

That's an unforeseen turn the Knicks could transition into rather easily.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.