Why Iman Shumpert is still a Knick

February, 24, 2014

Iman Shumpert
Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports
The Thunder and Clippers were both interested in Knicks guard Iman Shumpert at the trade deadline.While there's certainly no need to panic in Oklahoma City, the Thunder's last two losses have exposed a need for the Western Conference favorite: perimeter defense. Miami's Dwyane Wade and the Los Angeles Clippers' Jamal Crawford combined to score 60 points on 65 percent shooting from the floor in those games.

Granted, Wade and Crawford light up a lot of teams, but the fact is that, outside of starting 2-guard Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City provides very little resistance in the backcourt. That's why the Thunder were hoping to land Iman Shumpert before last Thursday's trade deadline.

Even after Shumpert suffered a strained left MCL in a Knicks loss last Wednesday, Oklahoma City was willing to part with this season's first-round draft pick to land the Knicks shooting guard, according to sources with knowledge of the trade discussions. The Knicks, however, refused to do the deal because they weren't getting a current player in return who could help them make a push for this season's Eastern Conference playoffs. At the end of the day, they deemed Shumpert more valuable than the 28th pick (or whatever low pick OKC gets) of the draft, sources said.

The Knicks' priority all along in trading Shumpert was to attach Raymond Felton's contract to the deal and get a solid point guard in return. That nearly happened with the Clippers.

While Shumpert's injury did not deter the Thunder, it did kill the Knicks' hopes of sending him to Los Angeles. Clippers coach Doc Rivers really wanted Shumpert, sources say, and Rivers was willing to do a deal that would have sent Darren Collison, Matt Barnes, Byron Mullens and two second-round picks to New York for Shumpert, Felton and Beno Udrih. But Clippers owner Donald Sterling and others within the organization were hesitant to bet on Shumpert after seeing him go down in Wednesday's game at New Orleans, according to sources.

Shumpert's camp was hoping for a trade, but it can rest assured that he'll be back on the market around draft time.

yellowboy90 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Trade worked salary cap wise. Its Broussard so I checked. Plugged Hollins slot in for Mullens.

Someone on KB said Zack Lowe confirmed it too. Some think he is a more credible writer.

yellowboy90 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Trade worked salary cap wise. Its Broussard so I checked. Plugged Hollins slot in for Mullens.

Someone on KB said Zack Lowe confirmed it too. Some think he is a more credible writer.

I can't believe they messed that up. Shump is done in NY. They had to buy Beno out and they would have gotten an upgrade and for Felton and cap relief. Also, I like Mullens in the right role and adding two second rounders. Shump should not have been on the court.

They also should have traded Beno before the deadline. Maybe teams wanted to wait but to come away with nothing is silly. They put all their eggs in the LA basket and came up empty.

Also, why would you play Shumpert on the day when you know he is likely to be moved. That was just stupid. Collison would have been an upgrade over Felton. Collison at least cares and does not have an over-inflated opinion of his skills. The Knicks continue to run the team into the ground. The only good thing they did do was not take on any long-term contracts.

Hopefully, the Knicks can work something out this summer to get an upgrade at PG without destroying the cap. That was the beauty of Collison's deal. It was small and would not have impacted 2015.

y2zipper wrote:There's no way the higher ups in the Clippers organization would have let Rivers make the deal. I don't buy that for a second.

I agree but it also shows that coaches do value what Iman brings ad feel he can develop in to a solid player, with a real PG, and a team that fits his abilities
He has not played well but Courtney Lee wasnt playing well either till he was traded to Memphis

Best example I can give is Trevor Ariza and how he was unable to develop in NYK
However he was a big part of the Lakers Championship team, while he looked like a D League player on the Knicks

I disagree with MANY of the posters here, Iman is a solid player that hasnt developed properly under Woodson and a trade would probably be better for Iman and NYKs with our wholes to fill, without a NBA PG to pair with him, along with a team full of poor defensive players lacking in speed/athlecisim/high IQ players/ solid defenders/ and a coach that runs systems that do not work

He must work on his handle and SG/PG abilities, playing SG and not SF, with the proper training off the court to regain his speed/quickness/athleticism, I believe within time he would be a great addition to OKC and/or Clippers, with a team that are full of gym rats and works together, with a coach that actually coaches/makes the rigt adjustments
They will appreciate what he brings and properly develop him
Just like the potential we saw in him in year 1 especially when he was able to play with Lin

Iman's confdence is also in a all time low, something he has plenty of when he was a "rook"

I hope we make some serious changes this summer with

1- managemnt/GM/ Dolan, he needs to spend this money on a team that will do their job without Dolan overseeif their proffesional judgement
Therefore we must hire a prove GM, President of Operations, and managemnt

2- a new Head Coach, along with at leat some new assistant coaches, development coaches, that works togethwr with the GM
With the patience and ability to properly develop players

I feel Wooson theories in coaching are stuck
Playing one way, trying to mimic to succes he had with the Detroit Pistions but without the talent, leadership, high IQ, athletic, versatile players on that roster
The game and league has also changed much, he doesnt accout for any of this including the lack of skills, High IQ, physical abilities, great defensive2 way players he had, making a recipe for an epic fail

3- get a roster that would work together efficently, getting the combination of youth, veterans for leadership/help develop players, we need a serious upgrade in talent so the coach ca actually run a system/philosophy that would work

4- Dolan must stay out of basketball related decisions and cut ties with CAA, with conflictd of interest. However, Dolan's ability to spend if spent correctly could be a huge asset and a liability if not spent properly. He should focus on usinf his well establishes connections, power, business oppurtunities, and MSG network to entice future players to want to come to the NYKs
The NBA contract is only part of what Dolan can offer players, along with future business opportunities, possibly a reality TV show opportunity on his network

That is on top of all the advertiments and endorsements oppurtunities
If he utilizes all thse properly, it would be a much more values business oppurtunity for future players

Playing in NYK, there is no greater place to WIN
in but also the worse place to lose in, something CA is
now feeling...