Suns are willing to give up forward Jared Dudley and a future first-round pick, for the flat-top Shumpert.
When I first heard this I said: 'For Jared Dudley?'
I can't see the Knicks trading their 22-year old guard, who can be an all pro defender, for a basic player like Dudley.
As a Knick fan, you read this rumor for the first time and you -- without hesitation -- reject the idea. We could never fathom Iman getting traded.
Then...I begin to think about Dudley on the Knicks and how he can be that fourth scorer on the team, behind Carmelo Anthony, Raymond Felton and J.R Smith.
Dudley's averaging 11.8 points and 3.6 rebounds this season.
I also think about the 0.811 free throw percentage, Dudley has. I like that. Knicks need better free throw shooters; it comes huge in the playoffs.
Gaining Dudley: Another scorer.
Losing Shumpert: subtracting youth, athleticism, defense.
But all and all -- I don't think this happens. Knicks front office is probably trying to add fuel to Shumpert, whose been struggling in the past couple of games. Also, Knicks know how good he can be when full strength; besides, Knicks need to stay young.
Again, this could be to add fire to Shumpert, and wake him up.
