An early prediction for 2014 is that Iman Shumpert will be traded, but to where? The New York Knicks have expressed their unhappiness regarding the third-year player. This season has been particularly bad. While the Knicks as a whole are underachieving, Shumpert is getting plenty of the blame. As the Knicks sort out options, one team could be off the list.
ESPN's Chris Broussard was the first to report that the Los Angeles Lakers had called about the price tag Shumpert. The team appeared to be willing to offer up disgruntled Pau Gasol in exchange for the young guard. At first glance, this trade seemed perfect.
Gasol has been unhappy in Los Angeles and the Kobe Bryant contract extension all but sealed his fate of not returning to the Lakers in 2014. The center made headlines after criticizing the offensive plan of head coach Mike D'Antoni. The Lakers were looking to part ways sooner rather than later. The Knicks were in need of big man help as Tyson Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire struggle with health. Gasol would fit a need.
Shumpert is everything the Lakers are lacking right now. He is young and athletic. He is tough to guard and can add another dimension to any offense. A change of scenery off the struggling Knicks could be what he needs to get back on track as far as shooting goes. Last season, he hit 40.2 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. With Bryant failing to play well at point guard, the acquiring of Shumpert appeared crucial.
The issue is that Gasol is now off the table. The Lakers have announced they are not going to be trading the veteran center, instead having him finish out the final year of his contract before they look at his future. They spent time weighing their options and after seeing Gasol play well the past three games, the team has opted to keep him for now. Could that change come February? Of course it can.
Shumpert has spoken out against his displeasure of all the rumors. The New York Knicks have reportedly been looking into offers for weeks and the young guard is tired of it.
"I just want to play, man, I just want to win. I know I can't predict the future. I can't say what anybody's going to do, with all the trade rumors that are going on. There's nothing I can do about it. All I can do is play hard," Shumpert said, via the New York Times.
Time will tell where Shumpert goes and when he leaves. While the Knicks would be wise to hold on to their young asset, right now with the team struggling, moves must be made.
