Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

According to several sources, the Phoenix Suns are showing a great deal of interest in possibly acquiring guard Iman Shumpert from the New York Knicks, and they’re willing to give up veteran forward Jared Dudley to make it happen.

As the Phoenix Suns try to reshuffle their roster for the future, their front office remains motivated to try to acquire New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Suns are willing to give New York a package that includes forward Jared Dudley and possibly a future first-round pick for Shumpert, but the Knicks have so far shown no inclination to do such a deal, sources said. (Yahoo Sports)

New York would need to send out an additional $2.1 million to make a potential trade work, which could come in the form of guys like Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas and Ronnie Brewer.

Iman recently returned to action after being out for nine months with a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee. Through 11 games, Shumpert is averaging 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting just 34.3% from the field.

For Phoenix, Dudley is averaging 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 39% from behind-the-arc on the year. He’s averaging just 28.6 minutes, 12.4 points, 3.4 boards, 1.9 assists, 1.6 threes and 0.4 steals in seven games under new head coach Lindsey Hunter, compared to the 35.0 minutes, 13.4 points, 5.1 boards, 3.9 assists, 2.9 threes and 1.1 steals he recorded in Alvin Gentry’s last seven games as coach.

The Knicks are looking to compete for an NBA championship this season, so Dudley provides more of a sure thing than Shumpert does at the moment. Do you think New York brought in players like Camby, Jason Kidd and Rasheed Wallace because they DON’T want to win now?

Jared is only 27 years old, and he’s playing at an absolute bargain of a deal (three years, $12.8 million left), considering how well he’s been playing for the Suns.

Iman Shumpert has a much higher ceiling, so it’s no wonder that Phoenix is looking to acquire his talents. He would immediately become the best young prospect on the Suns roster. Goran Dragic is still the man at point guard, but Shumpert could easily play alongside him in the starting backcourt as a combo guard.

This also isn’t the first time Phoenix has tried to land Iman, as the Suns made a push for him this past summer in trade talks over Steve Nash.

I can’t fault the Suns for trying, but I will fault the Knicks if they pull the trigger.

I honestly don’t believe Jared Dudley would make New York any stronger than they already are. The Knicks are only 1.5 games behind the Miami Heat for first place in the Eastern Conference.

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.

The Knicks have their point guard of the future in Shumpert. Having him learn from one of the best do ever to it in Jason Kidd is a huge plus. I don’t see how sacrificing that is a good idea.

His insane athleticism and tenacity on the defensive end guarding perimeter players are valuable assets in such a young, emerging guard.

He’s also one heck of a rapper. That’s pretty awesome, right? I don’t know what it means as far as this trade goes, but what the heck? I thought I’d throw it in there anyways.

New York holds all of the power, as Phoenix is more interested in Shumpert than the Knicks are in acquiring Dudley.

The Suns would make this move in a heartbeat.

The Knicks, well, should err on the side of caution.

It’s not worth it.

Chris Walder is the Editor of Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow hi on Twitter at @WalderSports

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

According to a report by Yahoo Sports, the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies are currently engaged in trade discussions involving Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay.

Y! Sources: Memphis, Phoenix engaged in trade discussions on Rudy Gay. tinyurl.com/bdopadj

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 8, 2013

A number of teams have shown interest in acquiring the services of Gay, but it appears the Suns have peaked the Grizzlies interest, sources have said.

Memphis currently sit fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 22-10. That hasn’t stopped the team from shopping their leading scorer though.

On the season, Gay is averaging 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game. His shooting has been a major issue all year as he is only hitting 40.6% of his shot attempts from the field.

His contract is also a major burden. Rudy will make $16.4 million this season, $17.8 million in 2013-14 and a little over $19 million in 2014-15. That explains why Grizzlies management is so willing to give up on Gay. It’s because they overpaid for him in the first place.

Besides, the teams greatest playoff run (2010-11) came with Gay on the sidelines nursing an injury. They don’t necessarily need him to be successful. It’s been proven.

For Phoenix (12-24, 1.5 games out of last place in the Western Conference), a deal with Memphis makes sense. The Suns are lacking a true franchise player at the moment. At just 26 years of age, Rudy can step right in and be “the guy” for the foreseeable future. He’s a proven scorer who has tremendous athleticism and an excellent basketball IQ.

Gay is having (arguably) one of his worst years as a professional and his contract is definitely a killer, but with Phoenix struggling as much as they are, how much worse can things really get at this point?

Although, do the Suns have anything of value that Memphis would realistically want?

Well, according to the report, the Grizzlies are very interested in Phoenix forward Jared Dudley. Through 36 games, Jared is averaging 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He’s also shooting 38.2% from behind the arc.

The Suns are also in possession of the Los Angeles Lakers first-round draft picks in 2013 and 2015. With the way that team is playing as of late, those picks could prove to be very valuable.

It would be extremely difficult to give up one or both of those picks in a potential deal, but looking at some of the talent this franchise has selected in recent years (Kendall Marshall, Markieff Morris, Earl Clark), it might be for the best.

Whether it’s the Phoenix Suns or another team entirely, it looks more and more likely that Rudy Gay will be on his way out of town before the February 21st deadline.

IF the right deal presents itself, that is.

Chris Walder is the Lead Editor for Sir Charles In Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @WalderSports.