The New York Knicks are reportedly after Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo. New York wants to trade Iman Shumpert, Amar'e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton for Boston's All-Star guard, the New York Daily News reports.
UPDATE (11/19/13): Celtics president responds to Knicks, Rockets trade rumors.
Shumpert's time in the Big Apple appears finished. After reportedly discussing a trade with the Denver Nuggets for Kenneth Faried, the Knicks are now aiming to acquire Rondo from the rebuilding Celtics.
"The Knicks' primary target is Rondo, Boston's All-Star point guard who is recovering from knee surgery," Frank Isola of The Daily News wrote on Sunday. "The Knicks have been trying to trade Shumpert, Raymond Felton and Stoudemire in a complicated deal for Rondo but the Celtics haven't shown much interest.
"Unless the Celtics are blown away with an offer, it's hard to imagine GM Danny Ainge trading his best player, Rondo, to the rival Knicks."
As Isola indicated, the Celtics haven't shown much interest and are unlikely to make the deal. Although Boston is rebuilding, Ainge has repeatedly said he doesn't intend to trade Rondo, who's expected to be a key piece in the Celtics' rebuild.
Accepting the Knicks' reported offer wouldn't benefit the Celtics, either. Shumpert, known for his defense, is too close in skill set to Avery Bradley, and Felton, who's under contract for two more seasons, isn't a long-term solution at point guard. Boston also would be foolish to take on the hefty contract of Stoudemire, who's had three knee procedures in less than a year and is playing limited minutes this season.
Although Shumpert is likely to be traded soon, it won't be to the Celtics.
