New York Knicks president Phil Jackson reportedly offered to trade Amar'e Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway, Jr. to the Minnesota Timberwolves for star Kevin Love. The offer, to nobody's surprise, was summarily rejected.
New York knew they lacked the assets to entice Minnesota into a trade, but that didn't keep Jackson from at least trying his luck.
"The Knicks recently attempted to make a trade for Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love, offering forward Amar'e Stoudemire and his enormous expiring contract, second-year guard Tim Hardaway, Jr. and swingman Iman Shumpert, according to a person with knowledge of the situation," Chris Herring of the Wall Street Journal wrote Friday. "But the long-shot offer, made in the past week, was declined and never stood much of a chance, particularly because of (other trade offers made to Minnesota)."
Minnesota isn't short on offers for their All-Star power forward. Cleveland, the purported frontrunners for Love, reportedly are offering 2014 first overall pick Andrew Wiggins and 2013 first overall pick Anthony Bennett; the Chicago Bulls reportedly are offering rookie Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic; the Golden State Warriors reportedly are offering David Lee, Harrison Barnes and possibly Klay Thompson; and the Boston Celtics have a treasure chest of future draft picks and a few expiring contracts to offer.
Shumpert and fellow swingman J.R. Smith purportedly are at the top of Jackson's list in terms of moveable assets. Recent reports indicated Jackson is trying to move at least one of the guards in exchange for a player who can improve his frontcourt.
Hardaway Jr, however, isn't expected to be moved for anything less than a blockbuster trade -- such as one for Love.
