NBA Trade Rumors 2014: New York Knicks Looking to Trade Amar'e Stoudemire for Boston Celtics Star Rajon Rondo
The New York Knicks are expected to make a roster shakeup soon not only to improve their chances this season, but also to keep Carmelo Anthony, who could bolt out of the team when he hits free agency this summer.
Sources said that team executives are aware that acquiring another superstar like Rajon Rondo could be the only way to make their superstar forward stay, Basketball Insiders reported on Sunday.
Acquiring Rondo before the deadline is still considered a long shot because Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge looks determined to keep the All-Star point guard beyond the deadline.
But according to USA Today, the Knicks are still convinced that Ainge will pull the trigger on a possible trade for Rondo if the price is right. Sources said that the Knicks are planning to offer a package involving Amar'e Stoudemire.
Stoudemire will not be much of a help on the hardcourt, but his expensive contract could put the Celtics in a good financial situation moving forward.
The oft-injured forward, who is averaging 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in 19.2 minutes a game this season, will be playing in the final year of his contract next season that pays him $23.4 million.
If the Celtics can also force to Knicks to take back the expensive contract of Gerald Wallace or Jeff Green, the Celtics will suddenly become a major player in the summer of 2015 when the likes of Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge hit the free agency market.
"They can offer the likes of Amar'e Stoudemire (one season remaining after this one, at $23.4 million) while taking future money back (such as Gerald Wallace and/or Jeff Green) and helping Ainge clear the way for the summer of 2015 that is known to be a priority of his," USA Today reported.
Aside from Rondo, the Knicks are still interested in trading for Kyle Lowry. However, the Knicks still believe that the Toronto Raptors are asking too much for the veteran playmaker.
The Knicks almost acquired Lowry late last year before Knicks owner James Dolan vetoed the deal after the Raptors haggled for a future first-round pick.
Lowry, who is averaging 16.6 points and 7.4 assists per game this season, is expected to draw the interests of several teams before the Feb. 20 trade deadline.