Rudy Gay and Iman Shumpert (Photo : Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the few teams looking to explore the trade market, and Iman Shumpert could be the likely trade candidate for the defending champs.
The Cavs are searching for a backup point guard, but such move could force Cleveland to include Iman Shumpert in any potential deal. According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavs are entertaining calls for Shumpert, but are "not actively looking to deal him."
"It is true, a few teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves have inquired about Iman Shumpert, who has three years and $30 million left on his contract at age 26. The Cavs are answering the phone, as ESPN's Zach Lowe reported. But they are not actively looking to deal him, a team source told cleveland.com," Vardon wrote.
Shumpert has a team-friendly contract, but his trade value is at the lowest, according to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. Shumpert, an essential piece to the Cavs' success in the past few seasons, is supposed to play as Cleveland's 3-and-D guy, but he only shot 29.5 percent from the three-point area last season.
The only other tradable assets the Cavs have are Mo Williams and Jordan McRae, who, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, are both being shopped actively by Cleveland. However, even the combination of the aforementioned player won't yield the Cavs a valuable talent in return. Williams, who is owed $2.2 million this season, is coming off an ankle injury, only played limited minutes for the Cavs last season, while McRae has yet to earn quality playing time in Cleveland.
But would a team like the Sacramento Kings be interested in a package of Shumpert, McRae, Williams and a future draft pick?
Quentin Albertie of Fansided explored the possibility of the Cavs working out a trade with the Kings for disgruntled forward Rudy Gay, who is set to explore free agency next summer. Gay has expressed his intentions to opt out of his deal with the Kings after this season ends, which may force Sacramento to trade the 31-year-old forward before the deadline.
"Gay, who has developed a bit of a 'black hole' reputation, won't come on the cheap. However, the Kings can't ask for too much for a player everyone knows will leave the Kings but nobody is sure how much will help their team," Albertie wrote.
"Now, it just so happens that the Cleveland Cavaliers are in the market for a veteran point guard and while Gay is no point guard, he's a talented player that allows the Cavs to play James at what is becoming his natural position at power forward."
Gay, who averages 22.5 points on 50.5 shooting from the field, including 46.7 percent from downtown, gives the Cavs another scoring threat inside and outside the paint. His ability to defend multiple positions would also provide Cleveland another cog on the defensive end.
It is unclear whether the Cavs would develop a genuine interest in Gay, given the team's need of a backup point guard. But if Cleveland could see Gay as someone who could further improve their chances to defend their title, it is a deal worth considering.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins
