Yesterday we mentioned the Denver Nuggets are looking to be sellers at this year’s trade deadline, and that Kenneth Faried was one of the players the team was dangling.
Perhaps the Nuggets got a bite.
According to multiple reports, the New York Knicks have shown interest in acquiring Faried before the Feb. 20 deadline and would be willing to part with swingman Iman Shumpert to get him.
Hearing that Knicks are trying again to re-engage Denver and sell Nuggets on idea of trade built around Shumpert-for-Faried before deadline
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 11, 2014
The Knicks were shopping Shumpert earlier in the season and in November were in discussions with Denver about a similar deal. The talks got intense, according to the report, but fell through when the Nuggets requested draft picks in the package as well.
New York could use help up front as the team ranks 26th in terms of rebounds per game (40.6). The Knicks have been utilizing a small lineup since January in which Shumpert is the 3 and Carmelo Anthony is the power forward. The current frontcourt includes Tyson Chandler, Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin, while both Chandler and Martin have missed time due to injury. The Knicks currently sit 2.5 games back of the No. 8 seed in the East.
Faried, 23, is averaging 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting close to 55 percent from the field in the Mile High City. Reports suggest Denver is not thrilled about Faried’s defensive intensity, nor the fact he would be in store for quite a pay raise when his rookie contract expires in a few years. And with Nate Robinson out for the season, Ty Lawson out indefinitely and Andre Miller also rumored to be on the trading block, the Nuggets could use some backcourt depth.
Shumpert, also 23, is an above-average perimeter defender. He is averaging 7.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game with New York and has started in all 49 contests this season.
Both Faried and Shumpert are signed through the 2015-16 season.
