Numerous reports have surfaced that the New York Knicks are very interested in securing a first round pick in this year’s draft but they don’t have much to offer. Well a new report says they may part with young guard Iman Shumpert, someone who was heavily mentioned in trade talks throughout the year.
via New York Post:
Thunder are looking at trading at least one of their late first-round picks, and Knicks president Phil Jackson said he’s looking to obtain a pick for either round of the NBA Draft. The Post reported at February’s trade deadline Oklahoma City made an offer for Iman Shumpert, but the Knicks passed. ESPN.com reported the Thunder offered their 29th pick.
That was before Jackson came aboard, and talks surely will be staged between the two clubs.
Oklahoma City has the 21st and 29th picks. The 29th pick is considered to have the least bang for the buck, as it comes with a two-year guarantee at a set rate, as opposed to a player picked a few slots later, in the second round, who doesn’t receive guaranteed money.
The Knicks don’t want to clog up their 2015 cap space unless they are sure they’ll draft a can’t-miss rotation player. The 29th pick is slated to make $959,000 in 2015-16, which is modest for a top rotation player. The 21st pick would make $1.2 million.
Jackson is said to like Shumpert’s defensive prowess and height, but his offensive basketball IQ isn’t sky-high, and Shumpert is not a very good passer — two attributes needed in Jackson’s triangle offense.
