Knicks Trade Rumors: Dealing Iman Shumpert Would Hamper Long-Term Success

The New York Knicks should not trade Iman Shumpert under any condition.

Recent NBA trade rumors have developed that indicated the team is considering a package put together by the Phoenix Suns in order to send the second-year stud to the desert, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski said the potential package from Phoenix would include forward Jared Dudley and possibly a future first-round pick.

Shumpert, 22, is the type of player that, paired with Carmelo Anthony, could develop into one of the best guards in the NBA.

A potentially explosive, stout defender and young scoring guard is something the Knicks are going to need in the coming years to combat the “super teams” being constructed around the league.

Why deal an extremely young and promising talent like Shumpert when challenges like that exist in the immediate and long term? He hasn’t had an ample sample size of action to make any definite statements yet, but the potential is definitely there.

Scoring isn’t the only thing he brings to the table, either. Shumpert is a high-energy defender that moves well up and down the court in transition. He’s a playmaker that the aging Knicks’ backcourt would definitely miss in the coming years if shipped away.

This isn’t to take away anything from a package the Suns would offer, as Dudley and the idea of future draft picks is certainly enticing. But don’t the Knicks already have an effective perimeter scoring game? Plus, draft picks are an unproven science in the NBA and the Knicks already know what they have in Shumpert.

Supporters of a deal like this may cite J.R. Smith's impressive performance this season. Smith’s play has undoubtedly been a huge catalyst for the Knicks' improvement this season.

But during the long stretch of an NBA championship run, the Knicks need to have options that can come in off the bench to hit big shots and shut down opposing scorers.

Shumpert is that guy. He’s much more well-rounded and capable of making a difference in those situations.

In the future, when the current aging lineup is shaken up, who is going to be that guy if they deal their second-year man?

Why trade away the one guy with the potential to be that crucial piece of the puzzle?