After failing to sign Paul George this summer, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for other ways to improve their roster this offseason. It will not be easy, considering they recently parted ways with their general manager David Griffin, and so far they've had little success in acquiring quality players.
Truth to be told, they did sign Jose Calderon to a one-year deal but the fans in Cleveland are wondering is that enough. The Cavaliers front office is trying their best to improve their chances of winning the title next year, and it seems like the next move could be trading away Iman Shumpert.
Shumpert headed to Texas?
ESPN reported on Saturday night that the Cavaliers and the Houston Rockets are discussing a potential deal that would send Iman Shumpert to the Rockets. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Cavs and the Rockets are in "serious talks" on this deal, and it seems more than likely that Shumpert will be playing in Texas next season.
Sources: Cleveland, Houston engaged in serious talks on an Iman Shumpert deal. Story: https://t.co/hej7AHGXaD
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 1. srpnja 2017.
Shumpert was drafted by the New York Knicks as the 17th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and spent his first four seasons with the Knicks before being traded to the Cavaliers. Last season, he averaged 7.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 36% from the three-point line.
According to league sources, the primary reason the Cavaliers are looking to move Shumpert is to create financial flexibility that would give them room to improve and make some other deals. Shumpert has two years left on his contract with the Cavs and has a player option for the second year. If they manage to get this deal done, the Cavaliers could save up to $28 million this season.
The Rockets, on the other hand, would welcome a guy like Shumpert who has a championship pedigree. Earlier this week they acquired Chris Paul from the Clippers, and it seems like the Rockets are wasting no time as they look to dethrone the Golden State Warriors next season.
Cleveland's in talks with Houston on a deal to move Iman Shumpert to Rockets, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/Uym4ZfSwMz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2017
LeBron James not recruiting free agents to come to Cleveland
Playing alongside LeBron James is probably something almost every NBA player would like to experience in his career. Just ask Kevin Love, Chris Bosh or many other All-star players that left money on the table just to join LeBron and compete for the championship.
LeBron is obviously aware of this, but this offseason he's not actively recruiting free agents to come to the Cavaliers. ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that James is spending this weekend in Alabama, attending Eric Bledsoe's wedding while many deals around the league are being made.
It appears that one of the reasons behind LeBron's decision to remain passive this offseason is the Cavs' inability to keep David Griffin as the general manager. Over the past few seasons, James met with several free-agent players before getting them to come to Cleveland.
This time it's different, and many are wondering could this be an early indication of James' departure from Cleveland. He will be a free agent next summer, and there are rumors he could join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.