New York Knicks: Will James Dolan make an example of Iman Shumpert?

The New York Knicks are off to a very ugly start to the 2013-14 season.

In most people’s minds, it is early and there is no need to push the panic button or make rash decisions.

However Knicks owner James Dolan’s mind doesn’t work like most peoples.

Dolan is the king of getting frustrated and making decisions just to make them, almost having a near perfect 100 percent rate of having those decisions turn out very poorly.

So far this season Dolan has been on a rampage.

Former general manager Glen Grunwald felt his wrath right before training camp opened and even the Knicks dancers weren’t immune to feeling his wrath.

If the Knicks poor start continues, many people believe that general manager Steve Mills or head coach Mike Woodson should watch their backs.

Nov 5, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard

(21) brings the ball up court during the second half against the Charlotte Bobcats at Madison Square Garden. Charlotte Bobcats defeat the New York Knicks 102-97. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

But could Iman Shumpert be sitting at the head of Dolan’s chopping block?

We all know how Dolan overreacts.

He already put unneeded pressure on this team by all but demanding a championship out of what really isn’t a championship type of roster. If that continues to blow up in his face, you can bet he will rush to attempt to blow up the current roster.

That brings me to Shumpert.

Everyone can remember that Dolan was very unhappy with Shump dating back to him leaving the Vegas Summer League prematurely. Add to that he has never seemed to be Shumpert’s biggest fan and you can bet that the third-year pro would be the first guy that Dolan would look to move.

If you remember, there were even whispers from Dolan during Summer League play that he would have liked to trade Shump then.

That being said, a Shumpert trade wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if it were done for the right reasons.

I may be in the minority, but I just don’t believe Shumpert will ever develop good enough offensive game to be among the top shooting guards in the NBA, something may Knicks fans think he already is.

Shumpert is a nice complimentary piece, but not something you build around as your second or third option.

That being said, Shumpert’s trade value may never be higher than it is right now. If you could get a legitimate piece that this team needs not only for now but the future then I’m all for it.

He’s also expendable with the likes of Tim Hardaway Jr. and J.R. Smith currently on the roster at the same position.

But then there is the Dolan factor.

If Dolan demands Mills to move Shumpert just for the sakes of doing it, then it is the wrong move.

We have seen it time and time again with Dolan and that is my fear with this situation. If a trade is made, it will be because Dolan interferes and the Knicks won’t get proper value for a young and talented guard.

Common sense would be to take a step back and say it’s only six games, let’s give it some time.

But common sense has never applied to Dolan.

With that being said, if I’m Shumpert I would watch my back. He could be feeling the wrath of Dolan very soon.

Follow Matt Shetler on Twitter for news, reaction and analysis from around the NBA.

Follow Buckets Over Broadway on Twitter and on Facebook