As we noted on Monday, the Cavaliers are still interested in trading Iman Shumpert, even as they consider whether to complete the Kyrie Irving trade with the Celtics as is. Shumpert has been linked to a handful of teams this offseason, having nearly been sent to the Rockets in July. The Timberwolves are also among the clubs that has spoken to the Cavs about the veteran swingman, per Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter link).
Sources tell Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net that while several teams have shown interest in Shumpert, that interest hinges on the Cavs’ willingness to attach a draft pick to him. Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders makes a similar point in his latest piece, noting that if the Cavs are seeking an extra draft pick from the Celtics in the Irving mega-deal, Cleveland could flip that pick in a Shumpert trade in order to move him.
Here’s more on the Cavs as they consider their options with Irving and Shumpert:
- Within the article linked above, Kyler notes that moving Shumpert without taking back significant salary might also make the Cavaliers more comfortable about taking on Isaiah Thomas‘ contract, even if they have concern about his hip, since dealing Shumpert would further reduce their projected tax bill.
- With funding from the city of Cleveland uncertain, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has nixed a proposed $140MM renovation to Quicken Loans Arena, as Karen Farkas of Cleveland.com details. Community groups had opposed spending taxpayer money on the project, which was announced by the Cavs eight months ago.
- Speaking to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press, new Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose opens up about his time with the Knicks, his motivation going forward, and a handful of other topics.
If I were the Cavs I’d try and complete a Shumpert trade – if you really want to trade him – before Aug 31st. That way if you have to take back a little salary, it can potentially stretched. So say Minnesota sends CLE Cole Aldrich and a draft asset for Shumpert, CLE could stretch Aldrich over 5 years and save $8-$9m in salary this year, plus all the
tax savings that would bring.
Not a bad idea at all. Especially since Cleveland doesn’t figure to have significant salary tied up in LeBron moving forward
Haha. It’s an even better deal for when they do!
Cavs don’t care about money… lol
They sure do, seeing as they’re passing on these renovations… if the arena becomes unsafe they’re looking at an even larger bill down the road.
Safety wasn’t the hangup; it was luxury stuff with public funding.