New York Knicks general manager Steve Mills is reportedly blaming Iman Shumpert's lack of production on coach Mike Woodson when discussing potential trades with teams. While talks for Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried appeared to have stalled, the Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly interested in acquiring the Knicks' third-year guard.
Shumpert's play through the Knicks' 3-13 season so far hasn't increased his trade value. Although he's a proven perimeter defender, his 7.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game haven't convinced potential trade partners to pull the trigger on any deals.
In an effort to boost Shumpert's worth in the eyes of other general managers, ESPN reports that Mills is telling teams that Woodson is the reason Shumpert is underperforming.
"According to league sources with knowledge of the team's talks with potential trade partners, president/GM Steve Mills' management team has also cited Mike Woodson's coaching as one reason for Shumpert's poor play," ESPN's Ian Begley wrote on Tuesday.
"They're saying that Shumpert's a better player [than he's shown] but Woodson isn't using him right," a league source told Begley.
The Cleveland Cavaliers emerged last week as the latest potential suitors for Shumpert. ESPN's Chris Broussard reported that Cleveland contacted the Knicks about acquiring Shumpert for second-year guard Dion Waiters.
Waiters enjoyed a promising rookie campaign but his numbers have dropped this season. Broussard cited Waiter's "contentious" relationship with his teammates, namely Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, as the reason Cleveland is pursuing a trade.
Cleveland also contacted the Philadelphia 76ers about Evan Turner and the Chicago Bulls about Luol Deng.
The Knicks make the short trip to the Barclays Center on Thursday to play the Brooklyn Nets.
