NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Sending Iman Shumpert To Nuggets For Kenneth Faried?

The season hasn’t started out for the 2-4 New York Knicks the way owner James Dolan had envisioned, and changes are reportedly on the way.

Big moves are reportedly already in the mix, with New York targeting Minnesota ‘s Kevin Love in the summer of 2015 in order to keep Carmelo Anthony happy, as first reported by Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday.

But while courting Love is almost two years away, the Knicks are looking for some improvements now and that could mean a trade for Denver Nugget Kenneth Faried for shooting guard Iman Shumpert.

Sources have told ESPN New York that several teams have approached the Knicks about Shumpert, but they could jettison the 2011 first round pick for some frontcourt help with center Tyson Chandler sidelined due to a broken leg.

Shumpert appears to have a good attitude towards the rumors.

“If it’s going to happen, it will happen,” Shumpert told HOOPSWORLD on Wednesday. “I’m young. I’m an asset. So I’ll be in the [trade] rumors, I guess.”

Guard J.R. Smith returned to the Knicks rotation last week, and the New York Daily News reported that as a sign Shumpert’s days with the team that drafted him could be numbered. Due to his hustle, hairstyle, and personality on full display via Twitter, Shumpert has been a fan favorite in New York. He tallied 8.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals a game during his three-year career.

Shumpert is also New York’s best perimeter defender, responsibilities that might fall to Smith, rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. or veteran Beno Udrih should the Knicks pull the trigger.

The 6-foot-8 and lengthy Faried, the No. 22 overall selection in the 2011 draft by Denver, nearly averaged a double-double last season for the Nuggets at 11.5 ppg and 9.2 rpg.

According to ESPN New York, the Nuggets, perhaps sensing the Knicks desperation for some front court relief, are holding for a draft pick, as well.