NBA Trade Rumors: New York Knicks Not Pursuing Josh Smith or J.J. Redick Trade
By Josh Hill
The New York Knicks front office rarely makes a big deal out of the trade deadline, at least publicly. So it’s no surprise that rumors have been swirling since no one has come forth to deny them — until now. An earlier reports indicated that the Knicks were offering Iman Shumpert and Amare Stoudemire for Josh Smith but that has been shot, a source tells the New York Post.
“They’re not even waiting on anything,’’ one person familiar with the Knicks’ thinking told The Post. “It’s pretty safe to say they’re not making a deal.’’
New York infamously traded for Carmelo Anthony close to the deadline a few years ago but they have been quiet since then and it appears as though things will remain that way. But just because they’re not making a trade doesn’t mean the Knicks won’t still be active in acquiring players. According to Marc Berman, the Knicks are looking at Phoenix Suns forward Jermaine O’Neal as a possible buyout candidate and they themselves could buyout the contracts of Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby.
Kenyon Martin’s situation is something the Knicks are reportedly watching very closely and he could be a candidate for a contract in New York as well.
As for rumors that the Knicks will be trading for J.J. Redick, head coach Mike Woodson said he told Iman Shumpert that he wasn’t going to be traded and that he was safe in New York.
“I spoke to Iman before the break,’’ Woodson said. “I tried to ease his mind about it. He’s not going anywhere. He’s going to be right here with us.’’
The Knicks were also linked to a possible trade with the Phoenix Suns, but according to the Post, it was Phoenix that approached New York about a trade for Jared Dudley and it was New York that said no thanks.