Iman Shumpert was one of the most popular names on Hoops Rumors from the start of the season until the trade deadline. While he wasn’t dealt, it was clear that the Knicks’ front office would have preferred to move Shumpert elsewhere. Now, however, Shumpert appears to have a legitimate future with Phil Jackson’s Knicks, a league source tells Marc Berman of the New York Post.
It’s believed that Shumpert could shine in the triangle offense and it helps that he is a defensive-minded player who sacrifices his game and doesn’t need to score a lot to have an impact. For his part, the 23-year-old has been enthusiastic about the arrival of the Zen Master.
If not for Jackson, Shumpert very well could have been on the move this summer seeing as how he was an inch away from being dealt in the winter. Knicks brass had plans to sit Shumpert on the eve of the trade deadline in February in New Orleans against the Pelicans, Berman learned, so that they could follow through on an agreed deal with the Clippers. The Knicks, needing a win, nixed that plan, and after Shumpert sprained his left MCL, the deal sending him out west for Darren Collison and Matt Barnes was called off.
The Knicks still could have moved Shumpert to the Thunder for their 2014 first-round selection, but New York declined the offer since they weren’t getting back a piece that could help them in the short term.
Thank God!!
Jackson comes on board and already SMART things are happening!!!