The New York Knicks appeared ready to make some waves in the trade markets on Thursday. The team appeared ready to pull the trigger on another trade deal with the Toronto Raptors that would send Kyle Lowry to the Knicks in exchange for high-profile players. However, owner James Dolan has pulled the plug on the whole deal as the Knicks continue to search for help at the guard position.
The original trade package being discussed by the two teams included Ryamond Felton, Metta World Peace and possibly Iman Shumpert. Felton was a lock to be included while Shumpert appeared a likely option due to the fact that Toronto was looking for young players to help build a new team. Yahoo! Sports reported the Raptors also wanted draft picks and possibly another young player like Tim Hardaway Jr. Toronto general manager Masai Ujiri preferred first-round picks, something the Knicks did not have and would be forced to compensate with players.
This of course made the Knicks hesitant. Sources report Dolan was concerned about getting "bamboozled" once again while attempting to trade with the Raptors. Dolan felt he was about to give up too much and was ready to nix the deal even before it went public. When the media found out, Dolan was done with it. Dolan was reportedly frustrated after attempting to get Anthony while he was at Denver.
If the Knicks are ready to get Lowry, they will have to move quickly. Several teams could be in play for the guard as numerous players are available to be dealt on Sunday. The Brooklyn Nets could target the guard. Yahoo! Sports also reports that the Raptors are interested in 24-year-old Euro star Bojan Bogdanovic. The Nets hold the rights to him and could package a deal for Lowry.
Lowry is guaranteed to be traded sooner rather than later. The point guard has been unhappy with his place in the franchise for some time. After Rudy Gay was sent packing, Lowry wanted out quickly. The Knicks could still make a deal for him, but Dolan is going to do it on his terms. They do not want to give up any more draft picks. They also have reservations about trading Hardaway Jr. World Peace is still an option in a deal, but he is not that favorable for someone like Lowry. The Raptors want youth to rebuild, not age like World Peace.
