The Pelicans have an interest in Iman Shumpert, Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders writes. The news comes a week after there were conflicting reports about the swingman requesting a deal.
Regardless of whether Shumpert has specifically sought a move or not, the Cavaliers can afford to lose him after trading for Jae Crowder in the now-official Kyrie Irving deal. Shumpert, an acute perimeter defender, represents a need of the Pelicans franchise given their dearth of healthy wings.
Just what a deal between the two franchises would entail, however, is a different story. Considering that both Cleveland and the Pelicans are over the cap, the Cavs would need to take back salary equal to Shumpert’s $10.3MM deal and that’s where things get tricky.
Given Cleveland’s mandate to win now while maintaining a modicum of agility and flexibility should LeBron James leave next summer, it’s unlikely that the club would accept what the Pelicans could offer under the cap.
Neither the $25.9MM guaranteed to E’Twaun Moore through 2019/20 nor the prospect of adding Pelicans center Omer Asik to the frontcourt mix are presumed to inspire much enthusiasm in Koby Altman‘s front office, leaving us little choice but to speculate that the Pelicans will need to fill their perimeter holes elsewhere.
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Former Rockets big man Chuck Hayes will re-join the franchise as a scout, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes. Hayes, who played 11 years in the NBA, held a similar position with the Nuggets in 2016/17.
- The Pelicans were limited in what they could do to their roster this offseason, Shaun Powell of NBA.com. The team will have to hope that the superstar duo of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins is enough to lead them to the postseason.
- The Grizzlies added speed and playmaking in the form of Mario Chalmers, Ben McLemore and Tyreke Evans, Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal writes. The franchise hopes that the additions can help help the club keep up with today’s NBA style.
Chuck Hayes is one of my favorite Rox of all time. Dude played tough D and was good on the glass for only being a 6’7″ center. Morey likes guys like this (Carl Landry, Pat Beverly) players other people count out.
Compared to Shumpert, Etwan Moore would save $1.9MM in salary and much more in luxury tax so I would think Gilbert would like that option. The shooting% is similar but Moore would do better offensively at PG and would be the least old/injuryprone PG on the roster. Shumpert’s abilty at SF matters less now to the Cavs. I say do it.
Shumpert being a plus defender is a myth that has somehow continued into 2017. He has very little value, if any for Cleveland. Will probably need to attach a pick to move hin
Maybe not if the pelicans actually want him. I think a straight up trade between shumpert and Moore would be good for both sides
If the Cavs would let him settle into one position and role he would show up better and that’s what N.O. would intend to do.
It would cost the Cavs little to start Shump ahead of Smith at the 2 to allow a showcasing if they are intent on trading. Shump shot about the same as Smith from 3 last year and I think he can switch off onto both 1s and 3s better. Lue presumably lost confidence in him but Lue is no genius, and IMO they use him to patch various things. It’s not working though.
** I meant switching around in general, not necessarily the ‘switching off’ technique in particular.**
Why don’t the pelicans sign shabazz Muhammad. Good young wing that u can sign for the minimum