New York Knicks Need To Remain Calm, Cool and Collected in Stoudemire, Bargnani Trade Negotiations

Written by Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tom Szczerbowski - USA TODAY Sports

With Carmelo Anthony’s free agency still looming over the head of the New York Knicks, Phil Jackson has been busy at work attempting to clear more cap space for this summer. The quickest way to do so is moving big contracts, which he has done once with Tyson Chandler being shipped out to the Dallas Mavericks. Even more cap space could be had if he finds a taker for Amar’e Stoudemire and or Andrea Bargnani. But Jackson needs to continue being savvy in negotiations with both, just as he was with the Chandler trade with the Mavericks.

Like Chandler, Stoudemire and Bargnani both come off the books next season, so it is not of the utmost importance for either player to be moved this offseason. Both will be unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2015, giving the Knicks a ton of cap space to woo free agents next summer.

If Jackson does indeed intend of moving one, if not both of the power forwards, he needs to tread lightly. Like mentioned earlier, both are free agents next season so mortgaging future assets just to get them off the books this season would not be a smart decision.

Those future assets that have been mentioned most are shooting guards Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. Moving either player just to get cap space for this summer for the likes of Pau Gasol or someone of that nature would be short-sighted. Shumpert and Hardaway Jr. have two of the brightest outlooks of any player on the Knicks. If you were able to combine the two like something out of Dragon Ball Z, you would have the perfect basketball player. Shumpert’s tenacious defense has yet to be caught up to by his offense, while the explosive Hardaway Jr.’s offense is light years ahead of his defense.

Photo Credit: Shumpert - Paul J. Bereswill; Hardaway Jr. - Ray Stubblebine

The most recent rumor has the Knicks shipping Stoudemire and Shumpert to the Philadelphia 76ers for an unspecified package. The package would more than likely be some sort of draft pick compensation, as the end game for the Knicks in any deal involving Stoudemire or Bargnani would be to clear cap space. Including one of their young shooting guards would be more of a step backwards than forwards for Jackson and the Knicks.

The only scenario in which Shumpert or Hardaway Jr. should be included in a cap clearing move is if there is a deal in place that the Knicks are bringing in another superstar level player, such as LeBron James, with Anthony this season. Even then it would be a move Jackson and the Knicks hesitate to make, as they are confident right now they can move one of the high-priced forwards without sweetening the pot more than they need to.

The one move they have already made with the Mavericks should be enough to push the Knicks back into the playoffs this season as well. Jose Calderon running the point guard will be an immense upgrade, and Samuel Dalembert should bring the same production Chandler did, just more frequently as durability is better than Chandler’s. If the Knicks younger players can take that next step forward, this would definitely push them back into the postseason.

The Knicks have already learned the hard way what happens when you clear young assets to bring in a superstar level player, as they cleared the cupboard to get Anthony in town in the first place. That is a mistake the Knicks do not intend to make again, as Jackson’s steadying influence should help keep their heads on straight with an eye on the future, not just the present.

Read More

New York Knicks Trade of Iman Shumpert Will Be Feast or Famine

Written by Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Photo Credit: New York Post

With the NBA Drat just days away, trade rumors and speculation are swirling. The New York Knicks, who do not own a pick in the draft this year, are looking for ways to get into the foray. One discussion that has been discussed is the Knicks buying their way into the draft, with President Phil Jackson tossing some money at a team looking to send away some of their picks. Another option that has arisen is trading shooting guard Iman Shumpert, which would be an unintelligent move to make.

Shumpert did not blossom offensively as the Knicks hoped in 2013-2014 after a strong playoff run in 2013. Shumpert finished this season with underwhelming offensive numbers, averaging only 6.7 points per game on 37.8 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from three point territory. He too often settled for jump shots, attacking the basket less this season while attempting only 71 free throws in 74 games.

Shumpert also had to deal with constant changing to his role, having to start at shooting guard and small forward and then being moved to the bench in favor of J.R. Smith. The constant trade rumors he had to deal with during the season also seemed to wear on the young shooting guard, as Shumpert never really got on track during the season.

Reports are that Shumpert is once again being dangled in trade rumors, this time for a pick late in the first round of the draft. There are a few teams that look interested, the first being the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder were very interested in adding Shumpert at this past season’s trade deadline, offering a first round pick in return. That seems to be the trade that is on the table once again at this current time, as the Thunder own picks 21 and 29 in the first round this season.

Another team in the same boat is the Los Angeles Clippers. Like the Thunder, they had a lot of interest in Shumpert near the trade deadline. They were even willing to trade for him after he suffered an injury. This trade fell apart, much like with the Thunder, because the Knicks insisted any team trading for Shumpert take back Raymond Felton as well.

It was a decision that was smart at the time, and would make just as much sense now. No matter whom the Knicks draft, no player will be able to replace the production Shumpert gave them. While his offense may not be peaking as they wish, he still offers excellent defense and fills up the stat sheet in other ways, averaging 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 in only 26.5 minutes of action per game.

Eric Gay/AP Photo

If the Knicks are to trade off essentially their only asset, and one of their only true building blocks, there has to be other incentive other than getting a pick in what many people believe is a loaded draft. Ridding themselves of a contract such as Felton or J.R. Smith in the process would be a smart move. Moving either Shumpert and/or Smith will also open up playing time for Tim Hardaway Jr.

Another team that could show interest in Shumpert is the Phoenix Suns. They already have an outstanding backcourt duo in Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic, but both are undersized to be playing together. Bledsoe is also a restricted free agent, and there is no guarantee that the Suns will match any offer he receives. The Suns also possess multiple first round picks, having the 14^th, 18^th and 27^th picks in the draft this season. If they do not package those to move up, sending one to the Knicks for Shumpert is a possibility.

A dark-horse team to acquire the services of Shumpert is the Miami Heat. They have the 26^th pick in the draft, which is right in the range the Knicks are looking to get in at. The Heat are looking to draft players that can come in and help them immediately, given their current roster situation and championship aspirations.  What better way to add a player to help immediately than adding someone like Shumpert? Shumpert would help them immensely in a couple of areas they struggle in, giving them some depth at the wing and a legitimate option at replacing Wade when he needs to sit for rest.

While Shumpert it seems could fetch the Knicks a first round pick, it is something they need to avoid doing. No player that deep in the draft will help the Knicks in the near future, convincing Carmelo Anthony to stay with the team long-term. The only way the Knicks should realistically consider trading Shumpert would be if they rid themselves of one of the contracts that run beyond the 2014-2015, namely Felton or Smith.

It isn’t a huge market for Shumpert since it seems the Knicks options are mostly limited to teams with multiple first round picks looking to move at least one. This week is the first real chance Jackson has to shape the Knicks roster; here’s to hoping he waves his magic wand and makes something positive out of the situation during draft week.

Follow the Hardwood Nation on Twitter @hardwoodnation and like our page on Facebook

Read More

New York Knicks Looking to Move Raymond Felton

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

With the Knicks continuing their coaching search after Steve Kerr spurned them for the Golden State Warriors, news broke that President Phil Jackson already has plans to shape his roster, without a coach yet being in place.

Earlier this week it was said that the Knicks would try and trade Raymond Felton this offseason. That is not surprising with Felton’s play falling off last season and them being close to trading him this past season at the trade deadline. What is surprising, is that Jackson essentially told him his chances were slim at best that he would be a Knick next season.

Moving Felton will not be the easiest task for Jackson and the Knicks, as he has two seasons remaining on his four-year, $15 million contract he signed prior to the 2012 campaign. The final year of the contract is a player option, and it is hard to imagine him passing that up.

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Last season Felton struggled mightily, never getting into a groove as he battled injuries throughout the season. When he was on the court, he provided uneven play and falling well short of what he gave the Knicks in the 2012-2013 season.

Felton averaged a career-low 9.7 points per game last season, shooting 39.5 percent from the field and 31.8 from the three-point line. He averaged only 5.6 assists as well to go with 3.0 rebounds.

Where Felton disappointed the most was on the defensive end. Opposing point guards averaged 22.7 points per game against him, as Felton was a revolving door at the defensive end, putting immense pressure on the interior players to provide help defense.

While he struggled last season, he could still be a piece a team trades for. He no longer looks to be starter worthy at an NBA level, but as a backup point guard he should succeed. Not being the sole player responsible for getting the team into the offense will help Felton immensely. Also as a backup point guard, his minutes will be reduced. He won’t have to chase around opposing starting point guards for 30+ minutes a night, and teams can mask his deficiencies more effectively the less time he is needed.

He is also a veteran, and could give spot starts when needed. Plenty of teams suffer when a start goes down because they do not have a player capable of stepping in for a couple games. While Felton struggled last season, he has shown that he is capable of playing well in spurts, which is all you need from a reserve.

Felton also had some off the court trouble last season. He was issued two felony gun charges in February and will be in court June 2^nd.

The gun charges are what could be the real deterrent in moving Felton. It will be hard to convince another team to take on a player they may not actually get to use on the court for the upcoming season.

All in all, it is not a surprise that the Knicks will look to move Felton this offseason. Last season was enough, at least in the eyes of Jackson, that Felton can no longer be a starter in this league. While people will ask why the Knicks just don’t hold onto him to be their backup, it would be hard to justify him getting minutes from Pablo Prigioni, who has proven time and time again that he is a great backup option for this team.

Read More