Isola: Knicks may budge on trade for Kyle Lowry

No one thought the Knicks' talks with the Raptors were totally done when James Dolan reportedly vetoed a trade for Kyle Lowry that would have sent Raymond Felton, Metta World Peace, and-- crucially-- a 2018 first-round pick into Masai Ujiri's pillaging paws. Such a trade couldn't have been consummated until December 15 (tomorrow) anyway, and reports suggested negotiations were merely paused as the sides regrouped. When you reach an impasse like that but still want to reach a deal, one side has to budge, and...well (from Frank Isola):

With starting point guard Raymond Felton expected to be sidelined two to three weeks with a strained hamstring, Dolan could be forced into reconsidering a deal for Lowry if the Knicks continue to struggle against the Hawks on Saturday.

This has been a theme since the beginning of the season. "James Dolan might feel compelled to [x] if the Knicks lose [one random game even though they've lost pretty much constantly and one game can only mean so much]." I can't quite tell if these suggestions are sourced reports or just weary beat guys trying to inject purpose into their constant travels, but it's definitely been a theme. Isola has more details:

Ujiri would prefer to receive another first-round pick, but there are reports that the Raptors would be amenable toward acquiring either Iman Shumpert or Hardaway in place of the pick. According to a source, the Knicks would prefer to keep Shumpert out of the deal for the purpose of including him in a future trade and perhaps package him with Amar’e Stoudemire.

As I've said, because of his apparently sour relationship with the team and because he has the most imminent payday, I'd be most inclined to put Shumpert in that deal for Lowry. I'd feel much uneasier about parting with Hardaway or a pick, talented as Lowry is. From the sound of things, though, the Knicks may lack two of those three assets (and have added more than Lowry...perhaps more youngish asset type things? Please?) by the deadline.

I'll have a little Celtics thing up in a bit, and more trade rumor updates as I see them. Hope you're having a pleasant Saturday.