Although the New York Knicks reportedly are shopping guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, they are unlikely to be traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for a deal that includes guard OJ Mayo. Joel Brigham of BasketballInsiders.com reports Milwaukee isn't interested in New York's backcourt.
ESPN reported last week the Knicks were looking to improve their frontcourt by trading away some of their guards. Smith and Shumpert, who was the subject of trade rumors all season, appear to be the two likeliest candidates to be dealt.
Although Milwaukee purportedly is looking to improve their own backcourt (SEE: Eric Bledsoe), possibly by trading OJ Mayo and Ersan Ilyasova, they appear to be an unlikely destination for Smith and Shumpert.
"JR Smith is NOT coming to Milwaukee," Brigham wrote Thursday. "They want the ball in the hands of Jabari Parker and Giannis (Antetokounmpo) as much usage as possible on the offensive end and Smith would eat a lot of that up.
"I like Shumpert, though, and he could play pretty much anywhere. Not sure I see a deal between these two teams, but the Kidd connection certainly is there. (If Kidd) felt strongly, I'm sure the higher-ups would consider it. I don't see this specific recommendation happening, though. Smith is a bad fit on the young Bucks."
Kidd played his final season in the NBA with the Knicks, where both Smith and Shumpert were his teammates.
Smith's poor production last season, his on- and off-the-court troubles and his pricey contract -- $5.9 million this season and a player option worth $6.3 million next season -- hurts his trade value; Shumpert is a lockdown defender, but his lack of offense limits his attractiveness to teams.
