Stephen A. Smith: Knicks snubbed a trade for Rondo

[sed522002]

Per Red's Army: http://redsarmy.com/2014/05/15/stephen-a-smith-knicks-snubbed-a-trade-that-wouldve-brought-rajon-rondo-to-new-york/

Performing his due diligence, Anthony is paying attention to everything. Just like he has become more and more educated about what the Bulls, Lakers, Rockets, Clippers and others may have to offer as a future destination, he?s also paying attention to what the Knicks have to offer.

Melo knows the Knicks had a chance at LaMarcus Aldridge and blew it. He knows they snubbed a trade that would?ve brought Rajon Rondo to New York or Kyle Lowry in a separate deal. All year long he sat around, played hard and averaged 27 points per game, while the Knicks stood idly by and did nothing ? primarily because Dolan wouldn?t allow them to, telling the team in multiple meetings that the players weren?t going anywhere.

And since he has hired Phil Jackson, who can say matters have gotten better?

My question is what did the Knicks have of value to offer (if this is even remotely legit)?

[Fafnir]

If Smith was reading our trade rumors section, Amar'e?

No realistic offer would have been acceptable to Ainge, no picks or players with a whole lot of potential.

[sed522002]

If Smith was reading our trade rumors thread, Amar'e?

No realistic offer would have been acceptable to Ainge, no picks or players with a whole lot of potential.

Had to..because I honestly don't see what they had to offer.

[MBunge]

I suppose it's possible that Ainge offered up Rondo this past offseason before he returned from knee surgery and asked for Shump, Hardaway jr. and stuff.

Mike

[D.o.s.]

^

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=kudf4wz

In case that doesn't load, it's Rondo + Wallace for Amar'e, Shump, and Hardaway.

Not saying I would do the deal, just that it works in the trade machine.

[LilRip]

Shumpert woukd have to be included. Don't know who else though. It's not like the Knicks have any other promising young players, really.

[sed522002]

I think I would have been p---ed if Ainge did a deal with another division rival..especially the Knicks. Plus it's not like they could really offer a deal that Ainge couldn't refuse, like BKN did.

[pearljammer10]

Stephen A? I dont buy it.

[sed522002]

Stephen A? I dont buy it.

We've heard stranger from him that turned out to be true *cough* Doc Rivers  *cough* Going to Clippers, not saying that this is true at all though.

[sofutomygaha]

I think d.o.s. probably has it right. The deal would have had to have been Rondo and a 3-year Wallace sentence in exchange for a 2-year Amar'e sentence and every young Knicks asset.

I would have supported that deal. Shumpert and Haradaway stock has fallen a long way since then.

[Roy H.]

Stephen A? I dont buy it.

Agreed. There may have been brief discussions, but I am very skeptical that it was the Knicks who said no.

[sed522002]

Stephen A? I dont buy it.

Agreed. There may have been brief discussions, but I am very skeptical that it was the Knicks who said no.

Now, that I can really agree on. I don't think it was like Ainge was offering him on a platter and the Knicks turned their nose and hung the phone. I think it was probably casual discussion, but nothing serious.

[CelticG1]

Yeah steven a only broke the Doc jetting to clippers 3 months before it happened...

[Roy H.]

Yeah steven a only broke the Doc jetting to clippers 3 months before it happened...

That makes his success rate on rumors what, about 1%?

[D.o.s.]

Yeah steven a only broke the Doc jetting to clippers 3 months before it happened...

SAS is/was a good writer, and a great interviewer, but his daily gig on First Take has done a lot to sap his credibility.