The NY Knicks have not spoken with Iman Shumpert about a new contract and that could lead to trade rumors soon along with Amar'e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani, JR Smith and Pablo Prigioni, as the Knicks are trying to set up for next summer in free agency and the draft and they could target picks and clearing cap space as a way to get Marc Gasol or Rajon Rondo.
The Knicks are coming into the season with high expectations and while they realize a championship is likely not in the cards this season, Carmelo Anthony has spoken highly of what Phil Jackson is doing so far. According to ESPN.com, the Knicks have not yet talked to Shumpert and his reps about a new deal, as he is set to be a restricted free agent this summer. The deadline for an extension is at the end of the month and the report speculates that the team is looking to keep the salary cap clear over the next two summers and they will risk allowing Shumpert to hit the market.
The Knicks like Shumpert, but over the past two seasons he has decreased his offensive work and while he is an above average defender and a strong athlete, the team wants to stay flexible. An extension would take up four years and that would eat into the salary cap over the next two seasons and that is something the Knicks want to avoid doing. Next season Gasol, Rajon Rondo and Greg Monroe could be potential targets, while the following summer Kevin Durant will be on the market and the Knicks think they have a shot because of Derek Fisher.
The team also will come up in rumors with Bargnani and Stoudemire, as those players are on the way out and if they can get a team to take on that money, they likely will pull off the deal. Stoudemire is on an expiring deal and the 76ers could be a fit since they have so much cap space, but that likely would happen closer to the deadline. Over the summer the team also shopped JR Smith and Prigioni and while no deals went down, things could change over the course of the regular season and at the trade deadline.
The Knicks won just 37 games last season and missed the playoffs and now they have the chance to bounce back and they are looking to get off to a much better start this time around. The team started 3-13 last season and now they have the chance to bounce back. Jackson has made some smart moves already and the Knicks are a much deeper and talented team than last season.
Jackson upgraded at point guard with the trade of Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Mavericks, bringing over Jose Calderon in that deal. Jackson also added depth with Quincy Acy and Cleanthony Early for Carmelo Anthony, giving him the chance to have a rest here and there. Anthony can stay stronger through the season and that is big with the triangle offense coming in. The NY Post reports that Gasol will be the top free agent target for the Knicks.
