Iman Shumpert is on the trading block once again. This time, the New York Knicks are looking into trading their shooting guard for a late first-round pick, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. If such a trade went through, an earlier report by the New York Post's Marc Berman indicated that the Knicks' interest lies in D-League and former North Carolina swingman P.J. Hairston.
Knicks put Iman Shumpert on the trading block ... again
The New York Knicks have reportedly put Iman Shumpert back on the market as they seek a first-round pick, but timing is everything.
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The deal involving Shumpert sounds familiar because the Knicks nearly made a similar move before the February trade deadline. New York attempted to move Shumpert to the Los Angeles Clippers, but when that deal didn't go through, the Knicks went after the Oklahoma City Thunder's first-round selection. That deal also fell through.
The Knicks have circled back under new boss Phil Jackson, and Stein offers that the Thunder could again be interested in giving up either their 21st or 29th pick. But what does such a trade proposal on the Knicks' end look like?
Why it makes sense for the Knicks
If the Knicks believe Shumpert has reached his ceiling, then perhaps it's best to part ways with a defensive-minded player who might not fit with the triangle offense that first-year coach Derek Fisher wants to establish. Shumpert averaged 6.7 points and 1.7 assists per game this past year and struggled by shooting a lousy 37.8 percent from the floor. Shumpert is 23 years old and entering the final year of his rookie deal, so New York had best get something for him while it can.
The Knicks, having traded all of their picks, have been hunting for a selection in this year’s draft. While Jackson has been open about hoping to buy a second-rounder, giving up Shumpert might be necessary if the Knicks want to acquire a late first-round choice.
In such a deep draft, there will be quality talent even at the end of the first round. Hairston, despite his off-the-court question marks, is believed to be a ready-to-go gunner who would fit well alongside Tim Hardaway Jr.
Why it doesn’t make sense
Shumpert showed a great deal of promise as a rookie after being selected 17th in the 2011 draft. He averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 assistant and 3.2 rebounds per game but more importantly gave New York an athletic, aggressive perimeter defender. Since he torn his ACL in the playoffs during his rookie season, he hasn’t been quite the same.
All that leads to the possibility that Shumpert has simply struggled to return from an injury by playing for a team without much stability at a number of levels. New York’s new leadership could wonder whether Shumpert would have blossomed under a coaching staff that put more emphasis on skill development. Again, he’s still only 23 years old and certainly has a bit of value on a winning team, even if he’s offensively limited.
Will it happen?
Though it seems smart for the Knicks to trade Shumpert if they don’t see him fitting into the future, they could hang onto him past the draft, build him up early in the season and deal him at the deadline if he proves more valuable playing for Fisher. His value certainly can improve. That said, the Knicks don’t have much else to trade in a Shumpert package, so perhaps the best bet is to acquire a decent first-round pick in exchange. Give a Shumpert-pick trade a decent, 4 out of 10 chance of happening.
See More:
