The New York Knicks have been linked to a trade with the Toronto Raptors for guard Kyle Lowry since last week and although James Dolan nixed the team from dealing Raymond Felton or Iman Shumpert in the deal, new reports have come out that could signal a change if the Knicks keep losing after they tied a franchise worst record start.
The Knicks are just 6-16 on the season after losing on the road to the Boston Celtics and that came after a bad blowout loss at home and now the team hosts the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Knicks could reconsider the trade if the team continues to lose, as Dolan is heavily invested in this season with Carmelo Anthony set to be a free agent and with the season heading towards 2014, it's getting very late early for New York and a shake up might be the last chance to save the season. The Knicks have an opening through the Atlantic division, as they are still within striking distance of first place with the Raptors, Nets, Celtics and Sixers the other teams in the division.
Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri was the man who traded Anthony and he now could be dealing again, as the team is in a rebuilding process and they have already dealt Rudy Gay to the Kings and Demar DeRozan also could be on the block. The Raptors have a number of players that could get dealt and the Knicks may feel that a trade is the only way to get things turned around quickly this season. The deal between the Knicks and Raptors was reported to have fallen apart last week because the team was asking for too much in a trade, including two players and a first round pick and one reason the Raptors feel they can deal Lowry is because they acquired Greivis Vasquez in the deal for Gay.
The report says that the Knicks weren't willing to give up Felton along with Iman Shumpert or Tim Hardaway Jr. and a first round pick because Dolan felt that was too much and he also felt that he gave up too much for Anthony back when he dealt with Ujiri and the Raptors. Felton is injured now and he could be out for up to three weeks and that is another major blow for a team that has already lost Tyson Chandler and has not been able to find a consistent second scorer. The Knicks have given up way too many high picks the past few years, including in the Andrea Bargnani trade and now they may be forced to do it again.
Pro Basketball Talk also reported that the Brooklyn Nets could also be in the running for Lowry after their slow start and they have also had plenty of injury issues. Deron Williams has had problems with his ankle and Lowry could serve as a backup if that situation came up and the report also says that the Golden State Warriors could be one of the teams interested in a trade.