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You can’t say this summer has been boring for the Cleveland Cavaliers with the dismissal of David Griffin, a miss on a Paul George trade and the Kyrie Irving saga all happening since the season ended. While it may not be as impactful as the rest of the events, it looks like we may be able to add another trade request to the story of this hectic summer.
In his recent article outlining what comes next for the Cavs, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that Iman Shumpert requested a trade earlier this summer:
Lost in the attention surrounding Irving's trade request is that Iman Shumpert also requested a trade after the season, multiple sources told ESPN. Cleveland was in talks to trade Shumpert and his $10.3 million contract to Minnesota or Houston, but both deals fell apart. Logic would tell you that the Cavs will remain motivated to find a team to take Shumpert.
A Cavs source told ESPN simply that the team is “not closing the door" on more trades before training camp opens in late September.”
Since that report came out, Yahoo’s Shams Charania tweeted the following:
Sources: Cleveland guard Iman Shumpert has made no trade request, but Cavaliers have actively shopped him since start of free agency.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 25, 2017
So while it’s unclear exactly whether or not Shumpert initiated these trade talks, it’s clear that the Cavs have an interest in moving him.
Moving Shumpert in a pure salary dump would not be the best possible move for the Cavaliers. As it currently stands, they don’t have a lot of movable salary to help match dollars in a trade should they choose to part with their picks in an effort to improve the team. Almost all of their money is tied up in players that they would have a hard time parting ways with.
If the team was to move Shumpert, other expendable contracts like Richard Jefferson or Channing Frye could be included with picks to make a significant move. Although it would come at the expense of the Road Trippin’ Podcast.
It’s impossible for the Cavs to not make another move before the start of the season. With 17 bodies on the roster, the team must either cut players or consolidate their talent to get back down to 15. Whether or not Shumpert will be among the Cavs’ 15 remains to be seen.