NEW YORK -- Not much is going right for Iman Shumpert right now.

He's involved in a new trade rumor seemingly every day.

He's struggling with consistency on both ends of the floor. And, as if that isn't bad enough, he committed a cardinal sin late in Wednesday's game that led to another New York Knicks' loss.

But at the end of a rough night, Shumpert received a bit of a boost from one of the most important members of the Knicks organization.

Carmelo Anthony said Shumpert is an important piece for the Knicks -- in both the present and future.

"I think he is; I believe so," Anthony said.

In other words, he doesn't want to see Shumpert traded.

"We have a lot of expectations for Iman, especially the way he played tonight," Anthony said.

Shumpert played strong defense on Paul George but killed the Knicks late in the game when he committed a foul on a George 3-point attempt with five seconds to play. The foul sent George to the line where he hit three free throws to tie the score at 89-89.

Anthony missed a shot to win the game at the end of regulation and George poured in nine points in overtime to lift the Indiana Pacers (10-1) to a win.

After it was over, Knicks coach Mike Woodson explained his strategy on the Pacers' final possession in regulation. He wanted the Knicks to commit a foul if they had the opportunity to and contest a 3-point attempt if they couldn't get an early foul.

Shumpert contested the shot. And Joey Crawford ruled that he made contact on George's elbow and awarded him three free throws.

"Iman, being a young player, it was a foul that we didn't need at that particular time," Woodson said. "I looked at the tape. He got him on his elbow and Joey made the correct call."

Shumpert, who finished with four points (1-for-6), five steals and four rebounds, didn't have much to say about the call after the game.

"It doesn't matter, they called a foul. The play is over," he said.

Shumpert can't say the same about the trade rumors surrounding him right now.

League sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein earlier this month that the Knicks were actively shopping Shumpert. Sources said earlier this week that the Knicks were talking to Boston about a deal involving Shumpert for a package including Rajon Rondo. The Celtics rejected the deal, but people around the league have said that the Knicks are still talking to teams about Shumpert.

"He's been playing through [the rumors], and that is a tough thing to play through, especially being a young player hearing trade talks," J.R. Smith said.

Shumpert wasn't interested in addressing the trade rumors or the controversial foul call after the game. He's more concerned with the Knicks' 3-8 record and four-game losing streak.

"It's about winning games. It's not about me getting traded," Shumpert said. "There's nothing I can do about that anyway. We've just got to win games."

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