The New York Knicks are definitely much better this season than the previous one. Still, they are struggling to make it to the top of the Eastern Conference standings; but perhaps, a trade deal by Phil Jackson can change things up.

In a report by ESPN's Ian Begley earlier last month, he stated that the Knicks are looking to acquire a "young scoring guard or a shooter" to improve their backcourt.

However, Begley mentioned that according to a source, New York is not planning to go on a move that will be affecting the team's cap flexibility in the future.

But Sports Illustrated's Fansided listed a number of guards whom the Knicks can acquire before the trade deadline if they are really aiming to improve their backcourt.

First on the list is the Los Angeles Clippers' Jamal Crawford who is a two-time Sixth Man of the Year and can provide explosive scoring from the bench.

Teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) are reportedly expressing interest in Crawford, with the Clippers putting him on the trade market during the offseason.

Another veteran that the Knicks can acquire is the Brooklyn Nets' Jarrett Jack who is playing well but is believed to be dealt away by the team before the trade deadline.

New York could also be involved in a deal to get the Detroit Pistons' Brandon Jennings, who is coming off an injury but was an efficient player in the past few seasons.

Detroit has three point guards with Jennings, Reggie Jackson, and Steve Blake, hence the Knicks could go and try to get Jennings.

The Houston Rockets' Ty Lawson, whose agents are looking for another potential trade deal for him, is a great point guard; can score in bunches; and has the ability to be an outstanding player.

But off-court issues are staining his reputation and is currently having a hard time meshing with Houston's system.

Two more guards that the Knicks can target are the Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Martin and now a free agent Tony Wroten.

Martin is a veteran who has a desire to be traded, while Wroten is a reliable scorer who was surprisingly released by Philadelphia recently. 

The Knicks are 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 15–18 record and are coming off a win over the Detroit Pistons which ended a four-game losing slump.