The New York Knicks would prefer to keep Iman Shumpert out of a deal for Kyle Lowry to save him for a future trade.

Shumpert is widely considered the Knicks' most valuable trade asset.

The Knicks are interested in using Shumpert in a package with Amar'e Stoudemire. A deal involving Stoudemire would be difficult as he is owed $23.4 million for the 14-15 season and hasn't been close to his prior All-Star self.