As we continue to move forward with this year's NBA offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers remain the focus of attention. Ever since the offseason started, the Cavs have been the most talked about franchise in the NBA and rightfully so. The Cavs have gone to three straight NBA Finals as they've dominated the Eastern Conference lately, and let us not forget that they still have the best player in the world, LeBron James.
This summer, they've made some changes that could affect their chances of winning the NBA title next season. As it is already well known, Kyrie Irving is no longer in Cleveland as he was traded to the Boston Celtics a couple of days ago.
The Cavs lost their second-best player after he had demanded a trade in July, and now it seems the Cavaliers could lose one of their best defenders.
Iman Shumpert on the move?
There have been several reports this offseason about a potential Iman Shumpert trade, as the Cavs apparently want to move the 27-year-old shooting guard. Reportedly, Shumpert was nearly traded to the Houston Rockets in July but for some reason, that deal didn't go through. Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net reported that many teams have expressed their interest in acquiring Shumpert, including the Rockets, the Chicago Bulls, and the Dallas Mavericks.
He also stated in his report that the main reason Shumpert hasn't already been traded is the fact that teams want the Cavaliers to attach a first round draft pick also in the deal.
Cleveland apparently doesn't want to do that just yet, and they will continue to look for a deal that wouldn't include their draft pick. While many are wondering why the Cavaliers would trade one of their best defenders, it seems that they are looking for more of an offensive-minded player and they reportedly believe that his defense has slipped a bit.
Will it happen?
Shumpert still has two more years left on his current contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers but has the right to opt out of the final year of the deal. Even though the Cavs are in no hurry to trade him, it seems more than likely that he will be moved in the coming period.
Sam Amico wrote: "It appears the Cavs will go back to working on deals centered on Shumpert, though a deal may not happen until later in training camp or even well into the season, if at all.”
The 6-foot-5 Shumpert joined Cleveland in 2014, after playing for three and a half seasons with the New York Knicks. He played 76 games with the Cavs last season and averaged 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 41 percent from the field.
