Knicks Trade Rumors: Celtics Rondo To New York? Metta World Peace Out?

Before the season began the New York Knicks looked poised for a deep playoff run, and seemed all but certain to retain the services of superstar Carmelo Anthony.

But 50 games into the season New York sports a 20-30 overall record, looking up the Eastern Conference standings and out of the playoffs. Now a week before the All-Star break and two weeks before the trade deadline, the Knicks appear ready to make any deal possible in order to keep Anthony in orange and blue.

Marred by a disappointing offense ranked 22nd in the league with 97.2 points and 27th in rebounding at 40.7 boards per game, New York is seeking a blockbuster move that could bolster a final playoff push and keep Anthony’s attention come this summer’s free agency bonanza.

The first of several moves reportedly under consideration is the continued pursuit of Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, according to USA Today’s Sam Amick. While Boston general manager Danny Ainge has said before that Rondo won’t be traded and even announced in a recent radio interview that the team has already approached the floor general’s agent about a contract extension, the Knicks reportedly believe Rondo can be acquired with the right package.

Unable to fork over any first round draft picks until 2018, the Knicks are apparently willing to include promising young swingmen Iman Shumpert and rookie Tim Hardaway Jr., and would even take back the Celtics Gerald Wallace and the two-years and $20 million left on his contract.

Earlier this season it was also reported that Anthony was doing his part to lure Rondo, a former teammate at Oak Hill Academy, to New York.

However it essentially appears the Knicks have traveled back to 2011, when they were willing to and did part with every young prospect and draft pick to acquire Anthony from Denver.

One player in particular who apparently wouldn’t mind a trade out of Madison Square Garden is little-used defensive forward Metta World Peace. Hailing from Queensbridge, New York and desiring for most of his career to return home to his beloved Knicks, World Peace is reportedly unhappy with his lack of playing time since returning to the active roster following a blood-spinning procedure in his hobbled left knee, according to the New York Post’s Marc Berman.

The report suggests a recent incident between World Peace and embattled head coach Mike Woodson might have pushed a trade request to the forefront. According to an unnamed source, World Peace made a crack about his lack of playing time during practice and Woodson took umbrage.

However Woodson’s effectiveness as a coach and overall relationship with his players has taken a serious dive in the last few weeks, so it’s possible the former Knicks first-round pick took his frustrations out on World Peace.

To his credit, the former world champion Laker spoke out against the Post’s story via Twitter on Saturday.

The 14-year veteran has averaged 5.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game in 27 appearances this season.