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June 30, 2015With the NBA’s free agency window getting cracked open at midnight tonight, several teams are starting to express interest in Cleveland Cavaliers restricted free agent swingman Iman Shumpert. ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard reports that no fewer than three teams have already made it known that Shumpert would be more than welcomed to play for their team for the 2015-16 season and beyond.
Sources: Lakers, Mavericks & Bucks interested in @I_Am_Iman (Shumpert). FYI: @KingJames is a big fan of Shump & his defense.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 30, 2015
The 24-year-old Shumpert made just $2.6 million last season, a year split between the New York Knicks and Cavaliers, but earned plenty more with his play throughout the NBA Playoffs. Battling groin and shoulder injuries throughout, Shumpert stepped up for the depleted Cavaliers and provided some much-needed defense along the perimeter in addition to the occasional offensive outburst. Earlier this month, NEOMG’s Chris Haynes reported that half a dozen teams had expressed interest in Shumpert with league executives estimating that he will earn roughly $8 million per year.
Shumpert was the target of the mid-year trade that also saw the Cavs acquire shooting guard J.R. Smith. Once being medically cleared, he immediately became a fan favorite due to his hustle and endearing persona on and off of the court. During the postseason, it became clear that Shumpert also had a fan in Cavs start LeBron James who, as Broussard states, would also apprecaite his presence going forward.
Late Monday, the Cavs extended a qualifying contract offer Shumpert, making him a restricted free agent. It is believed that the Cavs would match any offer submitted by another team.
7 Comments
An estimated $8 million per year for Iman? Go for it.
Have to match – no young elite wing defenders available at mid-level exemption salary. And they’re not going back to the Finals without that level of wing defense. Griffin should just yell it out – “we’re matching!” – and maybe that’ll tamp down the cost.
also, at age 24 it’s still possible he’ll develop a more reliable jumper. If he makes himself a reliable offensive option $8m/year is an awfully team-friendly cost.
This could be a tough one but I definitely want Shump back.
Hope he comes back.
no-brainer.
If Shumpert just tells people he is going back to the Cavs, you’d think they’d spend their time more effectively. Because Cleveland can go over the cap to sign him (and are willing to), teams may have less incentive to drive the price up on the Cavs.
I think he’ll be taken care of by the Cavs before another team gets involved.
i guess anything is “possible”…..