NBA Trade Rumors 2014: New York Knicks Looking To Trade Iman Shumpert?

The New York Knicks are expected to shake up their roster further in the upcoming season as they enter the Phil Jackson era of the franchise.

According to reports, Iman Shumpert could be the first key player to be traded as sources indicated that the Knicks are not planning to offer a contract extension to the 24-year-old guard.

Shumpert, who had to battle injuries in his first three seasons in the league, could become a restricted free agent next season if the Knicks decide not to offer a new deal until Oct. 31, which is likely to happen.

Ian Begley of ESPN reported that the Knicks have not talked to Shumpert or his representatives about a new deal. While they still have a full month to decide on their future, Begley believes that the Knicks will just let him become an unrestricted free agent due to salary cap reasons.

"New York still has about four weeks to start talks with Shumpert, but the feeling here is that it will be content to let him enter next summer as a restricted free agent," Begley wrote. "The Knicks are trying to keep their salary commitments at a minimum for the summer of 2015 and 2016, when they hope to be active in free agency."

Signing Shumpert to an extension will hurt the Knicks' chances of landing a big-name free agent in 2015 as they are expected to go after Boston Celtics superstar point guard Rajon Rondo and in 2016 when the likes of Kevin Durant hits free agency.

With a new deal not in sight, the Knicks will likely just let him go via trade before the deadline in the upcoming season for future assets.

Shumpert was shopped before last season's deadline before the Knicks eventually kept him at the Big Apple. They tried to trade him again this offseason, but did not find the assets that they are looking for.

Although Shumpert could be a vital part on the triangle offense of new coach Derek Fisher, Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders also believes that the former Georgia Tech standout will eventually find himself changing zip codes soon.

"With an organization set on changing culture and preserving cap space, Shumpert might find himself as the odd man out in New York before the trade deadline or next summer in free agency," Greene wrote.

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