NBA Trade Rumors 2014: New York Knicks Ready to Trade Anyone Except Carmelo Anthony by Feb. 20

The New York Knicks could resort to desperate measures heading into the trade deadline in hopes of turning their season around.

The Knicks ended the first half of the season on a bad note after losing in five of their last six games before the 2014 NBA All-Star break, creating speculation that their executives were starting to get desperate to make drastic moves in the coming days.

Newsday reported this week that the Knicks will make every player available except Carmelo Anthony in a trade before the deadline, knowing that only a blockbuster trade for a key player will convince their superstar forward to stay in New York beyond the current season.

Previous rumors indicated that the Knicks were planning to make a strong push to acquire Rajon Rondo before the deadline, but the Boston Celtics are still leaning towards keeping the All-Star guard for the remainder of the season.

Another target is Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, who was almost traded to the Knicks earlier in the season.

However, like Rondo, Lowry is reportedly not on the trading block at this point because the Raptors are looking forward to a playoff stint, and the veteran playmaker is expected to play a major role for them in the second half of the season.

As the deadline nears, the Knicks are still hoping that the Celtics or the Raptors will suddenly make a U-turn.

Among their two targets, a trade for Lowry seems more feasible, especially if the Knicks would be open to giving up future draft picks and one of their young assets, either Iman Shumpert or rookie guard Tim Hardaway Jr.

It is unclear, however, whether or not a trade for Lowry could convince Anthony to re-sign with the Knicks when he becomes a free agent this summer.

Aside from making roster changes, coach Mike Woodson could have coached his last game for the Knicks during their disappointing 106-101 overtime loss at home against the Western Conference cellar dweller Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

Previous reports indicated that Woodson still has the confidence of Knicks executives, but multiple reports have indicated that the veteran coach could be fired by the All-Star break or before the Feb. 20 deadline.