Knicks Trade Rumors: Minnesota Timberwolves And New York Discussing A Deal

A deal may not be imminent, but the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly been in trade talks.

According to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN in Minnesota, the two teams have been discussing a potential deal.

“I'm sure Kahn is talking trade w/ lots of teams, but one for sure according to two league people: the #Knicks,” tweeted Wolfson on Tuesday night. “Not sure of any particulars.”

Wolfson speculated the Minnesota is after Ronnie Brewer. General manager David Kahn tried to sign Brewer in the offseason, but lost out on the free agent to New York.

The Knicks probably wouldn’t have much trouble in unloading Brewer. The small forward began the season as a starter, but has seen his minutes decrease with the return of injured players like Amare Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert. Brewer has sat out the last three games, and hasn’t played more than 10 minutes in a game in a month.

Minnesota has a few players that New York might be interested in, including Chase Budinger. The small forward would give New York another good shooter, which they have been looking to add. He has been out with an injury since November, and is still about a month away from returning to the court. Wolfson, though, claims the club won’t trade Budinger.

New York might also be interested in Luke Ridnour. However, the Knicks would have to give up more than just Brewer to acquire the veteran. According to Steve Kyler of hoopsworld.com, the Timberwolves might be looking to move Ridnour because the team has too many point guards.

In the past few days, New York has been involved in multiple trade rumors. The Phoenix Suns are reportedly seeking a deal for Iman Shumpert. They’d be willing to give the Knicks Jared Dudley and a first-round pick, but New York is reluctant to trade the second-year man.

Carmelo Anthony responded to the rumors by expressing his desire for the club to remain intact. New York has been the No.1 or No.2 seed in the East for most of the season, and will likely make a deep playoff run, even if they don’t make a deal by the Feb. 21 deadline.

The Timberwolves have suffered major injuries on their way to a disappointing 19-30 record. Minnesota will be looking to make a more serious playoff run next season with a full squad, since they are 7.5 games out of the final postseason spot in the West. The team’s top stars, Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, have missed a total of 66 games.

Both clubs were involved in a blockbuster trade two years ago. On All-Star weekend in 2011, the Knicks, Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets executed a three-team deal that sent Anthony to New York.