According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the New York Knicks have not discussed a contract extension with Iman Shumpert.
Iman Shumpert is now entering the final year on his rookie contract. The Knicks have until October 31 to ink an extension if they want to keep Shumpert out of free agency. It looks more and more like the Knicks are willing to either let him walk, or are looking to trade him. They have offered Shumpert as trade bait in numerous deals, but no one took it.
Shumpert’s offensive value has decreased the last two seasons in New York, and his abilities on the defensive side of the ball have not counteracted that. Ian Begley had this to say about the negotiations:
According to league sources, the Knicks haven’t had any contact with Shumpert or his representatives about a possible extension.
New York still has about four weeks to start talks with Shumpert, but the feeling here is that it will be content to let him enter next summer as a restricted free agent.
The Knicks are trying to keep their salary commitments at a minimum for the summer of 2015 and 2016, when they hope to be active in free agency.
It was getting increasingly obvious that Shumpert wasn’t a huge priority for the Knicks and this cements that as fact. While he may not be of great value to New York, there is sure to be plenty of teams looking for a defensive minded guard like him. Not only is his defense a drawing factor, but Iman Shumpert is only 24 years old and has some potential left in him. There’s no telling what could happen if he lands on a team with a coach who can teach him a solid offensive game.
