The countdown until that trade deadline in the NBA has already begun. With 10 days left before teams can longer make a move until the off-season, rumors are flying. Knicks guard Iman Shumpert is a player being talked about for the Knicks.
However teammate Carmleo Anthony doesn’t think he is going anywhere. The Phoenix Suns have thought very highly of Shumpert since he came out of college last year but failed to pull the trigger on him when they had the chance. The rumored deal would send Iman Shumpert to the Suns in exchange for Jared Dudley with potential other players involved.
Anthony doesn’t only think that Knicks shouldn’t trade Shumpert but that they shouldn’t make any changes to the roster what so ever. But with a lack of depth at the point guard position and center position a move to bolster their bench might be just what they need to get over the hump.
Starting point guard Raymond Felton was out for much of the month of January after breaking his pinkie on Christmas against the the Lakers. While he was gone the Knicks struggled going .500, but since returning the Knicks have gone 6-3. There is no denying the importance of Felton, but a solid back up is something that hampered the Knicks in his absence. With the potential for his pinkie to become a lingering injury it is important to have the right person ready to replace him.
With two injured veterans riding the Knicks bench, Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby, the Knicks should look to acquire more front court depth. These veterans aren’t getting any younger as the season goes on and aren’t going to heal like what they used to. The Knicks are a poor rebounding team as a whole, and even worse once Tyson Chandler goes to the bench.
With these holes in their bench the Knicks front office could be in for a busy 10 days. Not only will the front office be busy but so will us fans trying to keep up with all of the rumors that swirl the team. We can only hope as fans that we make a good move that will help us solidify us as a legitimate contender.