Carmelo Anthony Has Decided that Iman Shumpert Won’t Be Traded

New York Knicks superstar forward Carmelo Anthony — who moonlights as the ballclub’s de facto GM, in his own mind — is aware of the trade chatter involving teammate Iman Shumpert. According to Melo, the Knicks won’t and shouldn’t even think about trading Shump. Per the NY Times: “Shumpert knows he has had a difficult week. He has been trying to find his rhythm on the court and his niche with the Knicks. And on Saturday night, he became the subject of a trade rumor. The Phoenix Suns were said to be interested in making a deal for Shumpert, a second-year guard, in exchange for Jared Dudley and a possible first-round pick before the Feb. 21 trade deadline. Shumpert, who returned to the court less than a month ago after having knee surgery in the spring, met with Coach Mike Woodson on Saturday. ‘He said don’t worry about it,’ Shumpert said. ‘Rumors are rumors. I don’t really care. I just have to play ball. I can’t control that anyway. It’s nothing to worry about. I just have to go out there and play.’ Before Sunday’s game, Woodson denied the report and said he would like Shumpert to remain with the Knicks because of his defensive abilities and his high level of energy on the court. But Woodson also knows he cannot make any promises to Shumpert on whether he will stay in New York. […] Carmelo Anthony was not concerned about Shumpert’s future with the team. ‘He ain’t going anywhere,’ Anthony said as he left the Knicks’ locker room Sunday. ‘He ain’t got to worry about that.'”