NBA Trade Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers Dangling Iman Shumpert For A Backup Point Guard

Will the Cleveland Cavaliers pull the trigger on a Iman Shumpert trade or will they wait out the process? Less than two weeks into the NBA season, the Cavaliers are one of the two remaining undefeated teams. That being said, the Cavaliers are far from perfect, and they could fill a hole soon enough.

With the retirement of Mo Williams (courtesy of the Cleveland Plain Dealer) backup point guard is the one weakness on the Cavaliers. Williams, a former NBA all-star, left basketball still being capable of averaging quality numbers when given the minutes. He was a steadying influence in the Cavaliers’ locker room, and he leaves the team vulnerable at the point guard position.

Kay Felder is the Cleveland Cavaliers’ current backup to Kyrie Irving. Felder is a 5-foot-9 rookie, who may not be ready to fill in if Irving were to get hurt and have to miss a considerable amount of time.

A big problem for the Cavaliers is that Kyrie Irving has missed double-digit games in every season except for one. While no one will dare call him injury prone, it seems like a certainty that he will miss a few games for the Cavaliers.

Kay Felder played for Oakland University. The competition he has faced is a light year’s difference than what he will continue to see as a pro. The rookie backup has only appeared in one game so far as most of the secondary ball-handling duties have gone to either LeBron James or Iman Shumpert.

The latter is an experiment that has been a difficult transition.

Iman Shumpert can dribble the basketball with little trouble. Where he falters is the decision making and generating the flow of the Cavaliers’ offense. The Cavaliers have been stagnant with Iman Shumpert dictating the offense.

While it is good to see that the Cavaliers are attempting to utilize Shumpert as an option for their void at backup point guard, it would be better if a natural point were making plays. Unless the Cavaliers reach out to Archie Goodwin, who has some point guard traits, the trade market is their best bet to get a backup for Kyrie Irving. Goodwin would be an interesting option if not for Shumpert already being on the roster.

Archie Goodwin and Iman Shumpert are similar players. Goodwin has a little experience as a playmaker during his time with the Phoenix Suns. He is not a natural point guard that the Cavaliers need at this time but keep an eye on this.

What the Cleveland Cavaliers have to do is explore a few trades for a backup point guard. Iman Shumpert will likely be dangled as trade bait if any of the NBA trade rumors have any truth to them.

While it was reported that the Cavaliers are not actively shopping (courtesy of ESPN) Shumpert, if the right proposal were to come, he could be dealt. One of the NBA trade rumors have the Cavaliers and Shumpert linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer broached the idea of a Iman Shumpert and Ricky Rubio swap. Acquiring Rubio would give the Cavaliers a quality playmaker at the backup point guard spot.

NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Iman Shumpert, Tyus Jones and More – Bleacher Report https://t.co/nUQ7JP0lOS #nba

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It is not certain if Iman Shumpert alone is enough for the Cavaliers to snag Rubio from the Timberwolves. Rubio is a starter for nearly two-thirds of the teams in the NBA. It may require more, despite Minnesota’s reported interest (courtesy of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press) in Shumpert.

The Inquisitr previously reported about a possible Iman Shumpert and Tyus Jones trade between the Cavaliers and Timberwolves. That may still take place, especially if Jones catches the attention of the Cavaliers as the backup point guard they would prefer.

There is a sizable market for Iman Shumpert if the Cleveland Cavaliers want to deal him. The good thing is that the Cavaliers have time to truly gauge the trade market for backup point guards. Understanding that there is are teams who would be interested in a defensive-minded guard who can occasionally make shots works in their favor.

The early prediction is that Iman Shumpert will be dealt at some point. The NBA trade rumors are suggesting that a trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves will take place. We will continue to wait until something happens.

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