According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the New York Knicks are seeking a late first-round pick in this week’s NBA Draft and will use Iman Shumpert as trade bait. Reports are that the Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites in any trade involving Shumpert and had been interested in his services at the trade deadline.

Stein reported the rumblings on Shumpert in the middle of all the Carmelo Anthony talk and believes money is the reason the Knicks want to move on.

Shumpert has one season renaming on his rookie contract and the Knicks would rather turn him into a late first-round pick as opposed to resigning him for more money on a long-term contract. The 23-year-old Shumpert was the 17th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and has had his moments when he is healthy. Shumpert suffered a torn ACL in 2012 and sprained the same knee this past season. The Los Angeles Clippers are also interested in the defensive specialist, but it is unknown if they would part with the asking price.

Watch for the Knicks to send Shumpert to the Thunder when the NBA Draft kicks off Thursday.

[Bleacher Report]

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