New York Knicks rumors: Knicks can’t trade J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert

By Andrew Melnick | Jul 23, 2014

Mar. 27, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7), shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) and small forward Iman Shumpert (21) smile on the court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Knicks entered the 2014 offseason with the goal of re-signing star forward Carmelo Anthony. Although Anthony visited with the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, the Knicks eventually met their goal. That will allow them to rebuild around Anthony in a process that may not take very long.

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They already dealt center Tyson Chandler and point guard Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks for point guard Jose Calderón, center Samuel Dalambert, swingman Wayne Ellington, point guard Shane Larkin and two second round picks that wound up being former Wichita State Shockers’ swingman Cleanthony Early and Greek swingman Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the brother of Milwaukee Bucks’ swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Big men Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani come off of the books after next season. The Knicks have reportedly been shopping swingmen Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, but haven’t had any takers.

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders explained why they haven’t been able to move either player.

"Sure and lets move all the bums off of Broadway. Its easy to say lets trade this guy and this guy, but you have to have a buyer and while the Knicks would love to move JR Smith’s money and Shump supposed attitude problem, not many teams are offering anything for them.So do you down grade to get them off the roster? Not sure thats what Phil is looking for."

Shumpert put up 6.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 37.8% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 74.6% from the free throw line last season. Smith went for 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 41.5% from the floor, 39.4% from three and 65.2% from the charity stripe.