Cavaliers, Rockets discussing deal to send Iman Shumpert to Houston

Houston would get a defender to replace Pat Beverly while the Cavs could generate some financial flexibility

Cleveland Cavaliers fans have been anticipating a number of potential trades since before the NBA Draft. Well today they might finally get a trade, kind of. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Cleveland is nearing a trade with the Houston Rockets that would send Iman Shumpert to Houston. Windhorst, in addition to seperate reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowaki and The Vertical’s Shams Charania, is reporting that the Cavs would receive what essentially is a package of non-guaranteed contracts, creating some financial freedom in hopes to effort other roster upgrades. The deal would preserve $4 million under the luxury tax plateau, potentially saving the team around $17 million in possible taxes, per Windhorst.

Shumpert is set to make $21.3 million over the next two seasons and has been unwilling to waive his 2018-19 player option in order to help Cleveland in their trade talks with other teams interested in his services, according to Windhorst.

The Cavs could recoup a future draft pick and a trade exception in the deal as well as the noteworthy monetary benefits. This could help the team in the re-signing of Kyle Korver, who was acquired in a trade from the Atlanta Hawks last season.

Shumpert played under Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni during his time with the New York Knicks. Windhorst has reported that when all is said and done, the Cavaliers could save $28 million this season if Shumpert goes to Houston in this deal.

Considering the Cavs gave up a future first round pick to acquire him last season and their lack of overall assets, it is crucial that Cleveland re-sign Korver. With the information about Shumpert’s lack of cooperation in facilitating his own trade, it would have been difficult to turn him into a better player without a deal like this.

At first glance, although not flashy, this looks to be a step in the right direction towards the Cavs aspirations to turn over their bench. Assuming, of course, that it’s not a straight salary dump.