New York Knicks rumors: Tim Hardaway, Jr. 'virtually untouchable'

The New York Knicks have had a busy offseason.

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Their number one priority was re-signing forward Carmelo Anthony and they did so, inking him to a five-year deal. They also sent 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, the 34th and 51st-overall selections in last month’s draft. They used those picks on Wichita State Shockers’ swingman Cleanthony Early and Greek swingman Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the brother of Milwaukee Bucks’ swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo.

They’d like to make another move and made both swingman J.R. Smith and guard Iman Shumpert available. They’d also like to trade big men Amar’e Stoudemire and Andra Bargnani but seem content to simply let their contracts expire and walk after the 2014-2015 season. It is clear they want to make a move and their most tradeable asset may be guard Tim Hardaway, Jr.

However, according to Ian Begley of ESPN New York reports Hardaway, Jr. is “virtually untouchable.”

"The idea that the Knicks are trying to make a trade to balance the roster isn’t earth-shattering. President Phil Jackson and GM Steve Mills have mentioned the Knicks have a surplus in the backcourt, with Mills saying last week the Knicks are “heavy” at shooting guard.The issue for the Knicks, of course, is deciding whom to send out in a trade and figuring out what they can get in return in such a transaction.Tim Hardaway Jr. has been deemed virtually untouchable, per a source."

Hardaway, Jr. averaged 10.2 points and 1.5 rebounds per game while shooting 42.8% from the field, 36.3% from three and 82.8% from the charity stripe as a rookie last season.

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New York Knicks rumors: Tim Hardaway, Jr. ‘virtually untouchable’

By Andrew Melnick | Jul 26, 2014