Veteran guard Iman Shumpert became a victim of league rules when the Nets were forced to make a tough decision last week, waiving the 29-year-old after having him on the roster for less than a month.
Brooklyn was required to create an open roster spot with forward Wilson Chandler set to return from a 25-game suspension, leaving the team with the choice of waiving a player or working to find a suitable trade. Chandler was suspended at the start of the season for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.
“I think we understand the circumstances,” coach Kenny Atkinson said of waiving Shumpert, as relayed by Mollie Walker of the New York Post. “Everybody understands the circumstances. I know this: That guy [Shumpert] belongs in the league. He proved that in the time he was with us. But circumstances just dictated with Wilson coming back. It’s just how it is.”
Shumpert provided a spark off the bench in 13 games, particularly on the defensive end, but he struggled in limited time offensively by averaging 4.2 points on 33% shooting from the floor and 24% from deep.
Following the news of his waiving, Shumpert took to social media and thanked the Nets for his brief opportunity with the franchise.
“The Brooklyn Nets are a first class organization from top to bottom,” he wrote. “It was great to be with you guys even for the short stay! I’m around.”
For teams seeking a veteran defender at the wing position, Shumpert remains available on the free-agent market. He holds several years of experience and was part of the 2015/16 Cavaliers team that won an NBA championship, making other stops with New York, Sacramento and Houston in his career.
Here are some other notes from the Atlantic Division tonight:
- Sixers center Joel Embiid hears the outside criticism and knows how to deal with it, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe writes. Embiid was challenged by the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley to provide more of a consistent effort going forward, responding by tallying 38 points, 13 rebounds and six assists against the Celtics on Thursday.
- Interim Knicks coach Mike Miller opted not to use Dennis Smith Jr. in the team’s game against Sacramento on Friday, giving the young guard a DNP-CD, Marc Berman details for the New York Post. Miller utilized guards Frank Ntilikina and Elfrid Payton, pulling away with a 103-101 victory despite Ntilikina’s struggles.
- Sixers forward Tobias Harris is making a strong case for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Harris has averaged 19.8 points and seven rebounds in 27 games this season, shooting 49% from the floor. He has yet to make an All-Star team during his nine-year career.
The Nets might want to look into resigning Shumpert if they get rid of Kurucs.
I don’t see them dumping Rodi. He has talent and he’s only 21… I don’t understand why the Nets felt they had to waive Iman Shumpert before Saturday’s game, though. Wilson Chandler wasn’t eligible to return until Sunday anyway.
Harris is getting paid like an all-star.
So? Did Harris decide how much he should be paid? Or did he negotiate an offer?
I’ve never understood this criticism. Harris did what anyone would do – he accepted a huge offer. If it’s too much that’s on the team.
Kinda like guys can’t control when they’re drafted, so they shouldn’t be criticized if the team drafts them too high.
The league decided. Everyone is a baby max, a veteran max, or a supermax player these days. Everyone gets overpaid, teams then have to dump them, waive and stretch, or live with them. Parsons, Mozgov, Deng, Biyombo, Dieng, Noah. Wondering if the Amnesty will come back.
How is Harris overpaid if there were multiple teams willing to offer him the same deal? How can anyone be overpaid when more than one team is willing to make the same offer?
If Philly wanted off of the Harris contract, they could trade him in five minutes. Teams will line up to take that contract.
And a lot of other players too. The problem isn’t the contracts, it’s fans who don’t understand how markets function.
Does anyone still think the Sixers are actual contenders? They’ll be lucky just to make the 2nd round in a very weak eastern conference. Philly might just barely be a top 10 team this season, at best.