The New York Knicks could make an aggressive move in a trade with the Indiana Pacers to supply them with the personnel they needed to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff race, Sports World Report stated in its column on Monday.
According to the site, the Knicks could offer the expiring contract of Amar'e Stoudemire, defensive ace Iman Shumpert and former Sixth Man of the Year winner JR Smith to the Pacers in exchange for Roy Hibbert and a combination of assets.
Hibbert has been on the trading block ever since the start of the free-agency period, and multiple sites indicated the Pacers are silently shopping their big man on the trading front.
The Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns emerge as potential trade destinations for Hibbert, but the Knicks could be in the mix right away with a loaded offer.
"Fansided.com suggests that the New York Knicks could really help the Pacers out. It is no secret that Hibbert has been shopped around in trades. With George out, his absolutely needed, but what if Larry Bird decides that to take on short-term contracts for the season and rebuild in 2015 when George is healthy," according to Sports World Report.
"They could easily strike a deal for Amar'e Stoudemire who's contract is up at the end of the year while Iman Shumpert and JR Smith are involved too."
With George out for at least a season, the Pacers will lean on David West, George Hill and Hibbert to step up big time. The team did a decent move by acquiring former Detroit Pistons combo guard Roney Stuckey, who averaged 13.9 points, 2.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds last season.
However, it's no secret they need more firepower to come on top of the Eastern Conference, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls reloading this summer and the Washington Wizards looking to sustain a big momentum heading into next year.
The 31-year old Stoudemire could be a fit for the Pacers because of his ability to do damage inside. Though he hasn't been the dominant player he was during his prime, it's a good gamble to try the six-time All-NBA team for at least a year.
The Knicks would be happy to get rid of Stoudemire's $22 million expiring deal even though they would just get a handful of NBA journeyman (Chris Copeland and Ian Mahinmi) and draft picks in the potential trade, while the Pacers could get a still serviceable big man and two solid backcourt players in Shumpert and Smith.
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