NBA Rumors: Oklahoma City Thunder may trade for Iman Shumpert
By Josh Hill
The Oklahoma City Thunder were rumored to be after New York Knicks guard man Shumpert at the trade deadline but they ended up not pulling the trigger on a deal and making it to the Western Conference Finals regardless.
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They didn’t make it any further though, and that’s why talks of acquiring Shumpert are being revisited this summer. It’s not a slam dunk deal, but the Thunder trading for Shumpert is very possible thanks to the trade exception they have and two first-round draft picks they can dangle.
Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman details why the deal might not work from a basketball stand point, even though he believes that this is a trade that very well could happen this summer.
"Shumpert’s offensive game needs improvement, but that can be developed. The bigger issue is that after three years, no one can really be sure whether Shumpert is a good young player who fell victim to the problems of a pitiful franchise, or simply a youngster who has regressed every season after a promising rookie year."
With all that said though, the Knicks aren’t likely to find a better deal than the one the Thunder can offer them as they have two first rounders plus a trade exception that can help make it all happen. Shumpert is a guy the Thunder need now more than ever as while he’s had his setbacks and problems, he presents the team with the dynamic third wheel they need to round out their superstar duo in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.