The Cleveland Cavaliers are likely to accomplish a few more NBA trades this offseason. It is expected that they will continue adjusting their roster and the next move could involve Iman Shumpert. ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported recently that similar to Kyrie Irving, Shumpert asked Cleveland for a trade. However, his request came right after the 2016-17 season. McMenamin added that the Cavs attempted to send the guard to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Houston Rockets, but the negotiations failed.
Last season, Shumpert played arguably his best regular season for Cleveland.
In 76 games (31 starts), he averaged 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, in 25.5 minutes per contest. Sadly, the 27-year-old's performance declined during the playoffs.
Shumpert started his career with the New York Knicks who selected him with the 17th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He spent almost four seasons in New York before the Knicks shipped him and J.R. Smith to Cleveland two years ago through a three-team trade that the Oklahoma City Thunder also participated in.
Benefits of a trade
SB Nation provided a couple of reasons why a potential trade is beneficial for the Cavaliers and Shumpert. The Cavs will save over $10 million in luxury tax by trading him. The shooting guard is going to earn $10.337 million in the upcoming NBA season.
Meanwhile for Shumpert, leaving the organization would grant him the opportunity to land a more significant role with a different team. If he stays, his minutes will likely be reduced drastically with Jae Crowder now in Cleveland. Comparing their numbers from the previous season, Crowder was the more efficient player. The new Cavalier had averages of 13.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and one steal per game in his third and last season for the Boston Celtics.
Shumpert deal unlikely
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, several reports believe it will be difficult to move Shumpert at this point. The Rockets and the Timberwolves are the only teams that showed interest in him so far. A possible solution to this problem is putting him in a package deal together with the 2018 first-round pick that came from the Celtics.
There are reports that the Cavs are looking to use the future selection as a trade piece rather than holding on to it. The pick will surely garner the interest of several teams in the NBA, especially the ones who are currently rebuilding.
