The New York Knicks are not done moving pieces around quite yet. Since trading away Tyson Chandler in June, the Knicks seem to be still looking to move some pieces around and according to ESPN New York’s Ian Begley, that might mean moving a guard off the roster, either Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith or Shane Larkin
Working to clear the logjam in the backcourt, the Knicks are discussing their potential trade options with guards J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Shane Larkin, a league source said Sunday.
“They’re working on trying to make a move in the backcourt,” the NBA source familiar with the Knicks’ thinking said.
The idea that the Knicks are trying to make a trade to balance the roster isn’t earth-shattering. President Phil Jackson and GM Steve Mills have mentioned the Knicks have a surplus in the backcourt, with Mills saying last week the Knicks are “heavy” at shooting guard.
Tim Hardaway Jr might be deemed as “untouchable” for the Knicks, with due purpose. Hardaway has alot of good potential, especially when paired up with Carmelo Anthony.
The former Sixth Man of The Year, J.R. Smith, has been a great piece to the Knicks. He’s brought the energy back to the garden and has played alongside Carmelo Anthony for a majority of both of their careers, dating back to their Denver Nuggets days. Smith, though, does not have the cleanest of slates through his tenure in New York. Remember, beginning the year with a suspension for violating the league’s drug policy last season, then later getting fined $50,000 for multiple incidents of untying players’ shoes. Although it may have been funny, the league didn’t think so after Smith did it to both Dwight Howard and Shawn Marion.
Shumpert is known as a solid perimeter defender and from time to time can cash in some deep shots and throw down a nasty dunk, but hasn’t showed much improvement expected from a player at his skill level in their third-year. Shumpert fought off some injuries during his young career which may have hindered his progress with the Knicks. He was also made available in trade talks last season, but the Knicks never found a deal that worked out for them.
Larkin is raw and unproven, missed time last year due to injury and just came over in the trade that sent Tyson Chandler back to Dallas. He’s one of the very few young assets on an almost elderly Knicks roster. I thought Larkin would’ve been moved on draft day for a late first round or early second round pick but he made it through.
The only thing left is too see who will be moved from New York now.
