Things are not good in New York and they are showing no signs of getting better. The Knicks are fresh off another loss after falling to the Dallas Mavericks as they prepare to face the Chicago Bulls. Injuries are running wild through the roster and essentially anyone not named Carmelo Anthony is available for trading before the February deadline. The Knicks are very limited in the moves they can make considering their lack of draft picks, but can Phil Jackson get a deal done?
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Knicks are one of the teams negotiating with the Boston Celtics about a deal for Rajon Rondo. The Knicks have been interested in the point guard for some time now, but have not been able to put together the right package of players forcing them to hope Rondo is available in free agency. Stein reports that the Knicks have engaged in discussions, but the trade likely hinges on draft picks. The Knicks' earliest first-round pick does not come until 2018. Pair that with the decreased value of players they have on their roster and the Knicks cannot get this done.
New York could try to entice Boston with expiring contracts of players like Amar'e Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert or Shane Larkin. However, Stein believes the Celtics will not settle for anything less than a first-round draft picks and New York does not have it. However, if the point guard is able to get into free agency, the Knicks will be serious contenders.
Could New York get a deal done for Greg Monroe? The Detroit News reports the Pistons are not settling for anything less than a first-round for the center that hits free agency in the summer. However, it is assumed that Monroe has no interest in re-signing with Detroit for the long-term. If the Pistons cannot get a deal done, they might grow desperate close to the deadline and settle on expiring contracts which New York has.
According to USA Today Sports, the Knicks have made Monroe a priority in free agency since they will be losing a lot of size in the summer. The Knicks will have the salary cap space to acquire the center, but if the team can get a deal done magically before the deadline, New York will make the move. Jackson has been attempting to trade several of his players since arriving with the Knicks and no deal has gotten done. The chances teams bite a second time around are slim.
