The New York Knicks are certainly planning a productive offseason. With free agency quietly approaching in a few weeks, the Knicks could possibly be looking to dump one or more of their marquee players. The team has very little flexibility when it comes to their roster and financial freedom. Knicks vice president Glen Grunwald has expressed his desire to keep the core players together, but if they want to improve, that might not be possible. As a result, the team is tossing around the idea of sending Tyson Chandler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources report.
Iman Shumpert is not going anywhere. The Knicks view him as a young asset. Amar'e Stoudemire has an inflated contract of $44 million and a poor history of injuries so he is not very valuable in a trade. This leaves Chandler as bait for a favorable package in return.
The idea might be hard to swallow for Knicks' fans. Chandler has been one of the most productive players on the team in the past two seasons. However, Chandler will be 31 with a history of injuries in his knees and back. His productivity and ability to still play at an elite level make him very attractive to other teams.
The Knicks have talked with the Timberwolves about acquiring Derrick Williams in place of Chandler. He is gamble and was disappointing in his first few years in the league, but he has a skill set that can make him productive in the paint and can develop down the road. New York would also get Luke Ridnour who has been a target of the team for years. He would give the Knicks depth at point guard. Considering the team is replacing Jason Kidd, he would be much needed. New York also wants the No. 26 draft pick in the trade. It would give the team two picks in the first round.
Chandler going to the Timberwolves would give the team a proven player since building a franchise are young inexperience has yet to pay off for them. Placing Chandler alongside rising stars like Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio could seriously help the team's cause.
A trade involving Chandler would have the Knicks waving goodbye to the cornerstone piece of the their defense and getting younger talent in return. Minnesota would be set at the center position and New York would build with depth and youth.
