The trade deadline is today and #Knicks did not expect to be active. But did that change overnight? More:
Despite a three-game losing streak (second one of the season) and four losses in their last five, the Knicks have not been active in significant trade talks leading into today's 3 p.m. trade deadline.
Their most important need is frontline depth and right now the team is hoping Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby will soon be able to play and fill those critical roles. But their ages and injuries put the team in a precarious position.
There are reports that if the Phoenix Suns waive veteran Jermaine O'Neal, the Knicks would cut a player and sign the 34-year-old O'Neal as insurance. And 35-year-old Kenyon Martin is also out there, waiting to see if the Knicks will bring him in, as well.
Ronnie Brewer could be moved not as an asset but more as a favor to him. Brewer lost his role in the rotation since Iman Shumpert's return. He will be a free agent this summer looking for a contract and it would help him to land somewhere he will get a chance to play. That's merely doing right by a player.
For the Knicks, sure, it would be great to add a young player such as Paul Millsap or Eric Maynor, but the Knicks don't have the pieces -- either assets or money-match salaries -- to make such a deal. The plan all along was to stay the course with this group as constituted, get everyone healthy before the playoffs and make a run.
But has seeing the lack of energy and urgency from this team more often than not lately caused concern in the front office? Perhaps a shake-up, even a mild one, could have a positive impact?
Melo, for one, doesn't believe so.
"You can go out there and trade for anybody," he said. "If they don't give you the effort, that's defeating the purpose."
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Good point Melo. If only these Knicks gave effort!
I wonder if this team has become complacent knowing that this is it. These are the guys who they are going out with. No pressure to be traded