Cleveland Cavaliers' roster will look much different next season. The reigning Eastern Conference champions lost a few key pieces of the team, but they also added some valuable additions, which should help them win a championship next year. Just recently, they lost Kyrie Irving, who was their second-best player last season, as he was traded to the Boston Celtics in a blockbuster deal.
It seems that the Cavaliers are not done making their moves this summer, and they could make a few more trades before the season starts. Another guard might be on his way out of Cleveland this offseason, as Cleveland wants to trade Iman Shumpert to another team.
Recent reports say that the new orleans Pelicans are interested in the guard, so it may not be difficult for the Cavaliers to find a trade partner.
Iman Shumpert is being shopped
It all started with ESPN's Dave McMenamin, who reported that Iman Shumpert requested a trade earlier in the offseason. According to him, Shumpert's trade request didn't get much attention because of all the drama that surrounded the Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving.
It turned out that it wasn't Iman Shumpert who wanted to be traded, but that the Cavaliers wanted to send him to another team. While it's unknown why they are trying to trade the guard, it could be that his contract is a big issue and that they want a better player to help them win a championship next year.
Considering that LeBron James might leave the Cavaliers next summer, they don't have much time to chase another championship. The clock is ticking and when the time is up, there is a good chance that Cleveland will have to rebuild if their best player leaves.
Shumpert and the Pelicans
Basketball Insiders' source revealed that the New Orleans Pelicans are among the teams interested in Iman Shumpert.
Considering that he has two more years left on his contract and that there hasn't been much talk about a potential buyout, we could see the Cavaliers sending their guard to New Orleans in a trade.
If they decide to do this, it will be most likely done with the intention of lowering their luxury tax bill. However, it is important to note that the Cavaliers received the first-round pick from the Boston Celtics as well.
This pick will be very valuable as it originally belonged to the Brooklyn Nets, who are projected to be a lottery team next season. Cleveland could use the pick, Shumpert and another player to try to acquire DeMarcus Cousins.