As rumors about the Los Angeles Lakers' plans to pursue Knicks star Carmelo Anthony pick up steam, New York executives are thinking of ways to keep their most valuable player, and the only way to do that is by winning--even if it means trading Tyson Chandler.

Chandler is a valued member of the Knicks' roster and the anchor of the team's defense, but that's not to say he's untradeable, according to ESPN Knicks blogger Jared Zwerling. On July 1, the sports writer tweeted about the Knicks current outlook on trading Chandler.

"League source: "‪#Knicks haven't offered Tyson Chandler in any trade, but they wouldn't turn down a good offer." NYK = known to surprise ...," Zwerling wrote.

The news shouldn't come as a surprise to Knicks fans. Despite Chandler's value to team, the Knicks know there are better centers in the league that can help them inch closer to winning an NBA championship.

Chandler instantly improved the Knicks' defense when he joined the team for the 2011-2012 season and was awarder the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for his efforts.

Since then, however, the Knicks defense has regressed and Chandler's number's in this year's playoffs--six points and seven rebounds--were lower than his regular season averages of 10 points and almost 11 rebounds.

In the Knicks' semifinal playoff matchup with their Easter Conference foes the Indiana Pacers, Chandler was thoroughly outplayed by opposing center Roy Hibbert. The Pacers big man averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in the six-game series, which Indiana won.

The Knicks have made some moves this offseason to try and improve their roster. Yesterday they officially signed former Raports center Andrea Bargnani and re-signed their explosive, but mercurial, shooting guard J.R. Smith. Still, neither Smith nor Bargnani are likely to improve New York's defense.

One player, however, who can help New York guard opposing teams and is rumored to have an interest in playing for the franchise is Metta World Peace. The Lakers' forward allegedly told his father that if he was released by the Lakers, he would like to play in New York.

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New York Knicks