ESPN insider Stephen A. Smith is reporting that the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic have discussed a deal that would send Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler to Orlando for Dwight Howard.
Smith works as an analyst on ESPN First Take and is well-known for reporting that LeBron James and Chris Bosh would join the Miami Heat one week before the two stars had announced their decisions. Smith mentioned the potential STAT-D12 trade on his radio show in New York on January 22.
Here is the exact quote:
* Stephen A. Smith via 1050 AM in New York: "As I told you a little bit earlier in the hour, I have some news to report about your New York Knicks. The Orlando Magic, I will preface my statement by telling you that they have categorically denied this, but my sources tell me that they have inquired about Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire going to Orlando for Dwight Howard. Let me confess to you that I'm torn. From a basketball standpoint, it would seem you do that trade in a heartbeat. You don't teach seven-feet and you don't teach the dominance and the skills that the best big man in the game, Dwight Howard, has. But I like Tyson Chandler. I like the fact that he rebounds and defends."
It should be noted that this is not the first report of a Howard-Stoudemire swap. Two weeks ago, former NBA player Donny Marshall reported that the Magic and Knicks had opened talks that would send Amare to Orlando for D12.
Trade buzz comes at a crossroads for both teams. Unless the Magic are certain that they can resign Howard, they must trade him before the March 15 trade deadline, or they risk gaining nothing but cap space from his exit. In the Big Apple, there are rumblings about chemistry issues and finger-pointing.
Ever since the Knicks traded for Carmelo Anthony, Stoudemire's productivity has taken a plunge. He is averaging 17.6 points per game and 41.3 percent from the field, both significantly lower than his averages in New York prior to Melo's arrival. He is also collecting 0.5 blocks compared to nearly 2 in 2010-11.
On the other hand, Howard is currently putting up 20.6 points per game on 57.5 percent shooting, along with a career-high 16.1 rebounds per game, 2.4 blocks and 1.4 steals. Howard is on his way to winning his fourth consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award.
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