While they're reluctant, the New York Knicks are willing to give up shooting guard Iman Shumpert in order to bring Steve Nash to the Big Apple in a sign-and-trade, as Marc Stein of ESPN reports. The Phoenix Suns have made Shumpert, a native of Oak Park, their primary focus in talks with the Knicks regarding the former MVP.
According to Stein's sources, significant progress has been made in negotiations even though a deal hasn't been completed yet. The Knicks have been hesitant to include Shumpert in their offers to Phoenix for Nash, but they're set on landing the point guard at this point so they're backing off that demand.
If a deal is ultimately completed, Nash will end up going to New York on a three-year contract worth roughly $25 million, with the Suns receiving Shumpert and a series of cap-friendly filler contracts like Toney Douglas, Josh Harrellson and Jerome Jordan.
In the past, the Chicago Bulls had reportedly shown interest in Nash, but that possibility seems to be incredibly unlikely at this point. The Raptors have already been aggressive in pursuing the Canadian's services, while the Knicks only appear to be stepping up their efforts.
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