NEW ORLEANS — The Knicks could be without Iman Shumpert, but not because of a trade.
On the eve of the NBA trade deadline and with talks for a deal involving Clippers point guard Darren Collison very real, Shumpert, their chief trade pawn, sustained a sprained left knee in the Knicks’ 98-91 victory over the Pelicans Wednesday at Smoothie King Center.
The injury occurred to the same knee he had surgically repaired after tearing his ACL during the 2012 playoffs.
After the game, coach Mike Woodson said Shumpert will fly to New York to be reevaluated. Shumpert said he will get an MRI exam.
“I’m hoping it’s not a [torn ACL],” Woodson said. “I love everything about Iman. I know he’s had a rough season, but we need him.”
Shumpert said he has a sharp pain in the side of his knee, but has been told by the medical staff his ACL appears intact. Nevertheless, there is a possibility he sustained damage to his MCL and could be out for weeks. Shumpert hobbled out of the locker room after having his knee heavily wrapped for support.
“They said my ACL is fine,’’ Shumpert said. “That was my biggest concern. They didn’t seem to think it was bad. I just hope it’s not.’’
The Knicks have tried to deal Shumpert, their once-prized first-round pick, since November and the three-month odyssey had a chance of concluding at Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline. But a potentially serious injury to Shumpert has put a major dent in those plans.
According to a source, the Knicks were hot on the trail of Collison and were trying to complete a deal that would include struggling point guard Raymond Felton and Shumpert. The source said Clippers coach Doc Rivers had long desired Shumpert, but the Clips didn’t want Felton as part of the package.
The Clippers would want Shumpert for the playoff push, so it’s hard to imagine a deal going through if the injury is serious.
In the third quarter, Shumpert drove the lane, stopped, pulled up and his left knee appeared to buckle. Cautious of putting weight on it, he was helped off the court by Jeremy Tyler and then brought to the locker room.
“It wasn’t like my ACL injury [but] it was uncomfortable,” Shumpert said. “It’s just frustrating. Injury after injury. It’s been a frustrating year.’’
As for trade gossip, rookie Reggie Bullock or Matt Barnes were potential additions to a Clippers package. The Knicks had interest in Bullock during the draft and wanted to sign Barnes as a free agent last summer.
Carmelo Anthony, who expects to be consulted if any trade is being considered, doesn’t expect an important move Thursday. He said the Knicks brain trust hadn’t spoken to him.
“I expect people to be here,’’ Anthony said. “Because right now we haven’t heard anything.’’
Shumpert continued to struggle in Tuesday’s game in Memphis, going 0-for-5 from 3-point land, and was just 1 of 6 in New Orleans. Shumpert hit his first shot on the opening possession — an 18-foot jumper — then missed his next five.
Before the injury and despite his struggles, there was plenty of interest in Shumpert, who is part of a Knicks’ glut at shooting guard.
“I don’t know how to take it,’’ Shumpert said before the game. “I’m just going through it. We got to win. We ain’t winning. We’re looking to fix things. And I think this organization just wants to win. You can’t fault anybody over that. We’ll see what happens. Maybe if we’re winning but right now we’re down and trying to win games.’’
One league executive said the Knicks have explained Shumpert’s subpar season as the result of a series of nagging injuries, including various shoulder ailments and a hip flexor. Wednesday’s knee injury was the first real serious one he has sustained this season.
The Knicks consider Collison an upgrade over Felton, though they are aware their starting point guard has gone through major personal issues that included his wife filing for divorce, as Page Six reported Tuesday.
According to a source, Oklahoma City has expressed interest in both Shumpert and rookie Tim Hardaway Jr., though the latter is viewed currently as a virtual untouchable.
“Whatever’s going to happen is going to happen,’’ Shumpert said. “I can’t really do anything about it. All I can do is try to go out there and try to play a good game.’’