NBA Free Agency: Cavs continue to pursue Iman Shumpert trades after Houston signs P.J. Tucker

After the Houston Rockets signed veteran swingman P.J. Tucker to a four-year, $32 million deal, trade talks between Houston and the Cleveland Cavaliers have stalled out, according to The Vertical’s Shams Charania. Cavs swingman Iman Shumpert was at the center of those trade talks.

The Cavs, though, will continue to try and trade Shumpert, according to cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon. At this time, it’s unclear what other teams are interested in the 27-year-old Shumpert.

On one hand, trade Shumpert could make some sense for the Cavs. Getting his $10 million salary off the books would lessen the team’s tax burden. And, if they could get a pick and a trade exception back, that could create flexibility to acquire other players. Currently, the Cavs’ only assets are Cedi Osman, a 2021 first round pick and a trade exception worth $4.8 million. The team has other exceptions, but they aren’t large enough to acquire any players of value.

But on the other hand, dealing Shumpert carries some risk. For all of his flaws — his tendency to try and do too much on offense, his inconsistent three-point shot, etc. — he can provide defense on a team that needs defensive-minded players. If the Cavs do flip him, and it’s only a salary dump, there’s risk there. And there’s also the question of what LeBron will think of dealing Shumpert.