Knicks Eyeing J.J. Redick

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

While the Orlando Magic continue to shop their star shooting guard J.J. Redick, more and more suitors are emerging. The most recent rumble in the rumor mill is with the New York Knicks, who are exploring a trade for their own guard Iman Shumpert, according to HoopsWorld.com’s Alex Kennedy.

“The Magic and Knicks have discussed a J.J. Redick for Iman Shumpert trade,” Kennedy posted on his Twitter handle on Tuesday morning. “Other players (and maybe a third team) would have to be involved.”

Though a trade is said to only be in the exploratory stages, a deal could still be struck before the Feb. 21 trade deadline.

After shipping out Dwight Howard this past offseason, the Magic (15-37) are obviously in their rebuilding stages. Acquiring Shumpert with a draft pick could solidify a better outlook in their future.

Meanwhile, the Knicks are one of the perennial championship contenders in the Eastern Conference. A slight upgrade at their shooting guard position could potentially give them the extra boost they need to compete with the likes of the Miami Heat.

Redick currently averages 15.3 points per game and is shooting a career-best 40.3 percent from beyond the arc. It might bode well for New York, who relies heavily on their three-point scoring (the Knicks shoot the most threes of any other NBA team).

Redick will be a free agent at the end of the season and is, by all means, expendable at this point. If the Magic could gain some value for their seven-year veteran before he hits free agency, then all the better.

The Knicks, however, might not be willing to part ways with Shumpert so quickly. As a sophomore, he has already become one of the better perimeter defenders on the team and could help offset some of the premier guards in the Eastern Conference. And they also might not be willing to dole out a first-round pick in exchange for Redick, which is exactly what ESPN’s Marc Stein reported last week.

The Bucks are also in the running to acquire Redick. The deal has the potential to hit a snag though, considering Milwaukee is trying to part ways with either Monta Ellis or Greg Jennings, two big contracts that few teams would be willing to take on.