Conflicting reports whether Cavaliers' Shumpert requested trade
Kyrie Irving wasn't the only member of the Cleveland Cavaliers to request a trade. Or was he?
Following the 2016-17 campaign, swingman Iman Shumpert also went to management to ask for a trade, multiple sources told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
However, there's a second report stating Shumpert made no trade request, but the Cavs have shopped him the past two months, according to The Vertical's Shams Charania.
Deals were discussed with the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, but both ultimately fell through.
Shumpert, 27, was acquired in January 2015 from the New York Knicks in a three-team trade that also brought the Cavs starter J.R. Smith.
In 168 regular-season appearances, Shumpert has averaged 6.8 points on 40 percent shooting from the field and 33.7 percent from 3-point range, along with 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and a steal in 24.8 minutes, primarily as a reserve.
He's locked in for $10.3 million next season, with a player option of $11 million the following year.
A source told McMenamin the team is "not closing the door" on more trades prior to training camp after sending Irving to the Boston Celtics.
Cleveland has plenty of depth at the wing positions to spot Smith and LeBron James, with Kyle Korver, Richard Jefferson, Jae Crowder, and Jeff Green all in the mix for minutes. That makes Shumpert expendable, although it remains to be seen how much value he has, and how much of a priority Cleveland will make honoring his possible request.