Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks re-open talks involving Kenneth Faried and Iman Shumpert

Feb 7, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton (2) intercepts a pass intended for Denver Nuggets power forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks won the game 117-90. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Faried-Shumpert Trade Talks Re-Open

The Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks have re-opened trade talks for forward Kenneth Faried and Iman Shumpert. This news coming Tuesday afternoon as Denver was blown out last night to the Indiana Pacers by the final of 119-80. With that loss, Denver has lost three-straight, including one of those games to the New York Knicks.

Feb 7, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard Iman Shumpert (21) shoots against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks won the game 117-90. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

This trade was proposed by the New York Knicks earlier in the season but was quickly shut down by the Nuggets. No one knows why but now is the perfect time to make this trade. Denver is struggling with guard help. With Nate Robinson done for the season and Ty Lawson out for quite some time with a fractured rib, they desperately need a one or two guard.

The Knicks look to move forward with Tim Hardaway Jr. at the shooting guard position. The rookie out of Michigan has impressed head coach Mike Woodson and Knicks fans. He has appeared in 50 games this season averaging roughly 21 minutes of action, accumulating 9.2 points per game, 1.5 rebounds and is shooting 39.2% percent from the field.

Iman Shumpert on the other hand has struggled this season which may be the fact that he can’t find a consistent jump shot with ball-stopper Carmelo Anthony in the line-up. While averaging 27.2 minutes per game, Shumpert has averaged just 7.0 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while shooting 38.1% percent from the field.

For the Nuggets, Kenneth Faried has been an absolute nightmare on the defensive end and just can’t play a consistent game. Just a couple of games ago against the Knicks, Faried accumulated a plus/minus rating of -28 according to ESPN. That was the worst plus/minus on the floor that night with names like Toure’ Murry, J.R. Smith, and Jordan Hamilton in the line-up.

If the trade is in fact brought up again, the Nuggets should definitely make a move on this deal. They have J.J. Hickson and Darrell Arthur signed for the next couple of years to play power forward for them and have JaVale McGee and Timofey Mozgov at the center position. Adding Shumpert would be a key piece on the roster moving forward for this young, talented club.