Report: Knicks Mulling Trade Options For J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It seems Phil Jackson isn't done tweaking his roster.
The New York Knicks president is open to trading J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert or Shane Larkin, according to ESPN.
Only Tim Hardaway Jr. was "deemed virtually untouchable" among the glut of shooting guards, ESPN reported.
Smith won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award last year, then re-signed with the team and promptly underwent knee surgery. His scoring average dropped nearly four points per game to 14.5 in 2013-14.
His season was also marred by fines for shenanigans both on the court and on social media.
Trade speculation is nothing new to Shumpert, a defensive specialist who has been rumored to be on the move for the better part of a year. The 24-year-old was recently named in reports involving Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani, who the Knicks have so far failed to move.
The Knicks, under Jackson and rookie head coach Derek Fisher, will have a new look next season, with some old faces. Carmelo Anthony returned after testing free agency, but not before Jackson revamped the roster by trading center Tyson Chandler and guard Raymond Felton to Dallas for a package including Larkin and point guard Jose Calderon.
New York is expected to have enough cash for a power play in free agency next year. Jackson could be setting himself up for some moves in the meantime.
Stay tuned.
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