Next season, Carmelo Anthony’s main sidekick could be a healthy, emerging Iman Shumpert.
One major issue with the Knicks’ roster going forward is its lack of upside: The team is ancient, and few players have real room for NBA growth. One of the exceptions is Shumpert, who just emblazoned his second year as a pro with an electric playoff run, capped by his 3-pointer binge in Game 6 in Indianapolis that nearly saved the Knicks’ season.
Shumpert, an athletic 6-foot-5 swingman, turns 23 next month. He flashed his promise during the postseason: a terrific Game 6 against the Celtics (17 points, six rebounds, two steals), a sensational putback dunk in Game 2 versus the Pacers and a 16-point third quarter (including a trio of 3-pointers in 64 seconds) on Saturday.
“I just wanted to win,” Shumpert said of his Game 6 eruption.
VOTE: WHO SHOULD THE KNICKS KEEP FOR NEXT SEASON?
In addition to his age, a prime reason for optimism regarding Shumpert is his health. At the end of his rookie season last year Shumpert tore his ACL in Game 1 of the playoffs. He didn’t return until January, and he struggled upon coming back.
In his first 24 games, Shumpert averaged 5.1 points, shooting 31 percent and lacking fluidity and dynamism. In the next 21 regular-season, he looked far better and averaged 8.7 points on 48 percent shooting. And then came his playoff emergence.
Because of the lockout before his rookie season and the ACL injury at the end of it, Shumpert has yet to experience a full NBA training camp. His development has been almost entirely in-season.
Shumpert’s 3-point stroke already has become far more reliable (he shot 40 percent from deep this season after making just 31 percent as a rookie), he’s “a tenacious, tenacious defender,” in the words of Pacers coach Frank Vogel, and he’s probably the best athlete on the Knicks.
With J.R. Smith’s future uncertain (he can opt out of his contract) and Amar’e Stoudemire’s status (his contract/ability/role) up in the air, the Knicks may need Shumpert to emerge even more.
mark.hale@nypost.com