The NY Knicks have been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason after signing Carmelo Anthony to a free agent deal and now Phil Jackson could look at deals involving Amar'e Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert, Andrea Bargnani or JR Smith to help set up the team to sign Marc Gasol or LaMarcus Aldridge next summer in free agency.
The Knicks signed Anthony to a five year deal and Phil Jackson has been given the chance to build up the team in his image after also bringing in Derek Fisher as head coach. According to ESPN.com and Pro Basketball Talk, the Knicks have shopped a number of players at different points this summer, including Stoudemire, Shumpert and Smith. The team has a number of players at guard and could use to free up the logjam and that is why Jackson has looked into deals with Shumpert and Smith.
According to ESPN.com, the Knicks and Shumpert have not yet talked about a contract extension and this comes as he is eligible for one until the October 31 deadline. Pro Basketball Talk writes that there are no signs right now that the Knicks will get a deal done, as they are looking to have as much cap space as possible next summer. The team wants to target Rajon Rondo and other big names on the market and since Shumpert will still be restricted, the team feels that it can wait.
Shumpert has been a solid player for the Knicks over the past couple seasons, but he has not shown that he deserves a long term contract just yet and that could be one reason why the Knicks are waiting. The team has until the end of October to get a deal done and then after that he will be a restricted free agent if the Knicks offer him a one-year, $3.7 million qualifying offer after the season. The Knicks have been mentioned in trade rumors with Shumpert for a couple years, including last season when the Thunder and other teams got interested in making a move for him.
Phil Jackson and the Knicks want to be as flexible as possible heading into the next two off seasons and with Carmelo Anthony signed five years, the team wants as many options open as possible. Adding Shumpert on an extension means a four year deal that heads into 2015 and 2016 and the Knicks want to keep as much off the books as possible. Shumpert is the best young option on the Knicks apart from Tim Hardaway and there is a chance that teams could look at making a deal at the deadline.
The Knicks reportedly will look at Marc Gasol on the free agent market, while Rajon Rondo could also be an option for the team. Jackson has Anthony back and brought in Derek Fisher as the new head coach and the team expects to be back in the playoffs. The team missed out last season with 37 wins after starting 3-13 on the season and now they have a much better roster and should be a playoff team in the east.
