New York Knicks trade, roster rumors 2016: Celtics' Evan Turner a target this trade period, free agency?

Phil JacksonReuters

The New York Knicks' issue with their backcourt was identified and magnified through the course of the trade period, but the answer might be found in the team's Eastern Conference rivals, the Boston Celtics. 

New York's backcourt received attention when the trade period began and a number of point guards were linked to the team, including the Detroit Pistons' Brandon Jennings and the Atlanta Hawks' Jeff Teague. 

However, Knicks president Phil Jackson is not making a move yet to address the issue, with the trade deadline fast approaching. 

In a report by the New York Daily News, a number of league executives said the Knicks had a desire to make some moves before the deadline but, "that with so few assets there isn't much available to them."

The report then mentioned the Celtics, who have plenty of stellar young guards, and to whom the Knicks lost last Tuesday 97–89. 

Celtics All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas was included in the report, but he is under contract with the team until 2018. 

Boston is also not looking to part ways with Thomas who is peaking in his game, leading the C's in points and assists this season. 

An option for the Knicks, though, is Celtics guard Evan Turner, who is set to enter free agency after the 2015–16 National Basketball Association (NBA) season. 

Turner is in the last year of a two-year deal with the Celtics and can be a free agency target for the Knicks to answer their backcourt troubles. 

Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall, the 27-year-old athlete can play the point guard and shooting guard positions, also having playmaking capabilities. 

Along with the versatility Turner brings to the backcourt, he has also been in the playoffs four times in the previous five seasons he played in the league before this season. 

If Turner is indeed a target for the Knicks, the team might let the trade period pass and aim to sign him when he becomes a free agent.