The NY Knicks are coming into the season with high expectations and reports say the team may look at an Amar'e Stoudemire trade to the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline, while names like Andrea Bargnani, Iman Shumpert and JR Smith also could be traded, as Greg Monroe, Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge are reportedly targets for the team next summer when they can spend more money in free agency.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Knicks may look at the Sixers at some point this season as an option for a Stoudemire trade, as they have a ton of cap space and could afford to take his insane contract. The report says that the Sixers could look at making a deal since Stoudemire has an expiring contract and that will give the team more cap relief after the season.
Pro Basketball Talk also reports that Greg Monroe may sign his qualifying offer over a long term deal with the Pistons, meaning he could be a free agent next summer. The Knicks could try and trade for him this season, but that doesn't make sense if he will hit the market. The NY Post reports that the Knicks may look at Monroe and Marc Gasol as free agent options to join Carmelo Anthony next summer.
Jackson has already started dealing this summer and he pulled off a great trade, offloading the contracts of Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks while getting valuable pieces like Jose Calderon and Shane Larkin in return. According to ESPN.com writer Ian Begley, the Knicks are looking to move one or two of their guards, as they have a number of players at the same position and could afford to trade them. The team is happy to have Calderon at point guard, as he is a remarkable upgrade over Felton after the way he played last season and that doesn't even include his off the field issues.
The Knicks had a terrible start last season while winning just three of their first 16 games and even in the terrible east that was a tough hole to dig out of. The team had a great run at the end of the season, but that couldn't make up for the earlier start and now they are looking to get started on a much better foot this season. The Knicks have made some smart moves this summer to help their roster and they should be much deeper than last season.
The team has Carmelo back on a five year deal and that means he should be there with Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson for the duration, as they are on five year contracts as well. The Knicks are hoping Jackson can build a winner and while they may not be championship contenders this season, New York should be able to make the playoffs in this eastern conference. The east should be tough at the top, but the Knicks have enough to make a run and if Anthony has another string season, the team should be right in the middle of the east mix this year.
