While Iman Shumpert is denying any reports that he has requested a trade from the New York Knicks, the team may be looking to deal him anyways. His name continues to pop up in trade discussions and now it looks like the Knicks may be serious about a deal. The team has reached out to the Orlando Magic for a trade that would send Shumpert to the Magic for J.J. Redick. The trade was first reported by Adam Kennedy at HoopsWorld.
Shumpert is the youngest player for the Knicks and loaded with talent. He could bring some youth into a Magic team that is rebuilding after the loss of Dwight Howard. He is coming off ACL surgery. In just 13 games back from injury, he is shooting 33 percent from the floor and 41 percent from three-point range. That is up 30 percent from last year. Shumpert also finished the 2011 season with two-thirds of the votes for Defensive Player of the Year. He possesses all of the skills a rebuilding team like Orlando would want.
The trade appears to benefit Orlando more than the Knicks. Shumpert is the only bit of youth on the team. They would be giving that up for a veteran three-point shooter. Redick is having a great season, averaging a career-high 15.3 points per game, however his role with the team is becoming smaller. At this point he is only known for the ability to shoot well from behind the arc. He is a free agent at the end of the season and it seems unlikely the Magic would be willing to let him leave unless they are getting a real quality player in return. Redick is a better motion scored than the aging Jason Kidd and more of a complete player than Steve Novak.
Orlando would be wise to try and get this deal complete by Feb. 21. Shumpert could really do wonders for a team in transition. The Knicks on the other hand attempt the most three-points per game in the league, so adding Redick is not a huge gain for them.
