J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Shane Larkin reportedly are among the guards New York Knicks president Phil Jackson is considering putting on the trade block. Jackson wants to use his surplus of guards to improve his frontcourt, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.
New York has a crowded backcourt -- eight guards, in total -- that Jackson is trying to slim down. With the exception of newly acquired Jose Calderon and second-year pro Tim Hardaway Jr., the Knicks' six other guards appear available to be traded.
Begley reported Smith, Shumpert and Larkin are the top candidates to be moved during the offseason as part of Jackson's efforts to improve his frontcourt. The market for Jackson's stable of guards, though, is iffy at best.
Smith's pricey contract -- $5.9 million this season and a player option worth $6.3 million next season -- makes him a difficult sell to teams, and his poor play throughout last season doesn't help. Smith, who has a history of on- and off-the-court troubles, admitted last week he could see why the Knicks would trade him.
New York struggled last season to move Shumpert, a 2-guard known more for his defensive prowess than for his shooting.
"Shumpert is viewed as a strong defender but couldn't find his comfort zone on offense last season," Begley wrote Sunday. "He was made available in several trade proposals throughout the season. His value at this point in the trade market is also unclear."
Larkin, the No. 18 pick of the 2013 draft, has upside but is unlikely to fetch a hefty return for the Knicks. He averaged 2.8 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10 minutes per game last season.
One potential target Jackson may have is Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, whom the Knicks reportedly came close to trading for last year before Jackson took over basketball operations.
