Iman Shumpert Injury: Free Agents Who Can Help Replace Knicks Guard Next Season

Once the Knicks endure their inevitable elimination from these playoffs, they must start planning on how they are going to replace rookie guard Iman Shumpert for next season. 

Shumpert fell to the court while clutching his knee in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Heat. Tests revealed he tore his ACL. 

The recovery time for his injury is expected to be between six and eight months. Now, this timetable puts him on pace to be ready to go right around the start of next season, or two months into the season. 

That in and of itself does not make replacing him a priority. However, the reality is that recovering from an ACL to the point where a player can get on the court and them being 100 percent is different. Especially when quickness and explosion are an essential part of a player's game like it is with Shumpert. 

The rookie quickly turned into the Knicks' premier perimeter defender. It is unlikely that he will be able to regain the elite defensive status by next season.

The Knicks must find someone to fill this role. Luckily for them, there are some solid free agents that can help in this regard, and none of them are expected to sign a cap-busting contract. 

Carlos Delfino

Delfino is a solid defender against shooting guards. He is not overly quick, but he is technically sound, plays hard and he is strong for the position. 

His hustle and physicality wear his opponent down over the course of the game. 

He is also a very good rebounder for a guard. This is a player that is solid in man-to-man defense and excellent in team defending. 

He isn't going to add much on the offensive end, but he is a decent outside shooter, and he loves the corner three. 

He is a solid defensive stopper. 

Mickael Pietrus

Pietrus is a frustrating player to watch, but most of this comes from the offensive end. He is not big on passing, as he has rarely met a shot he doesn't like. This wouldn't be terrible, except Pietrus is not a good shooter. 

However, he is gifted athletically and has long arms. This makes him an excellent defender. He can lock down opposing shooting guards, and even smaller small forwards. 

He is also a good defensive rebounder for the position. 

The Knicks would want to make sure that it was clear to Pietrus that they aren't bringing him in to chuck up shots. And if they could get him on board with this, he will be an excellent defensive fit. 

DeShawn Stevenson

Age is beginning to take its toll on Stevenson, and back problems certainly don't help that. These factors make him a risky proposition, but that will be limited in New York, as they would just be bringing him in as a temporary answer to an injury problem. 

Stevenson is an excellent defender, and he can guard either shooting guards or small forwards. He is strong, moves his feet well, has good instincts and the length to disrupt shots. 

This will help when the Knicks want to slow down opposing shooting guards, and it will take a load off of Carmelo Anthony when opposing small forwards are the focus of the offense. 

He is a decent rebounder and can hit three-point shots when left alone. He would be a nice fit for what the Knicks need.