The Brooklyn Nets should facilitate an Iman Shumpert trade
The Cleveland Cavaliers may not be done making trades this offseason. It was reported by Shams Charania that the team has been “actively shopping” guard Iman Shumpert. The Brooklyn Nets should get involved in the negotiations if it can net them additional assets.
If the Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t done tinkering their roster, the Brooklyn Nets shouldn’t be done seeking opportunities to add assets. It has been known for a while that Cleveland is looking to move on from guard Iman Shumpert. The six year veteran has two years and $20 million left on his deal.
The Brooklyn Nets do not need that kind of salary commitment. Allen Crabbe, who plays the same position, was just acquired. Crabbe has three years and $56 million left on his contract. Paying him and Shumpert close to $30 million a season just doesn’t make sense in this salary cap climate.
Instead, the Nets should get involved in the negotiations to acquire additional assets. Brooklyn doesn’t necessarily have to give much up either.
The Cavaliers want to get rid of Shumpert. While there are conflicting reports about whether or not Shumpert requested a trade, what is clear is that the Georgia Tech product isn’t likely to be on the Cavaliers’ roster on opening night.
A team that could be a potential fit for Shumpert would be the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks have a glut of bigs. Though Milwaukee has plenty of wings, every team could use a guy that can defend multiple positions like Shumpert.
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John Henson makes roughly the same salary as Shumpert and is buried on the Bucks depth chart. He would be the perfect trade candidate.
The Cavaliers probably don’t want to add long term salary. Henson’s deal runs a year longer than Shumpert’s. With LeBron James’ potential departure next summer, the team must work on clearing its books and cutting their luxury tax bill.
That means that Cleveland could be looking for salary relief. A player with a small salary with upside could be the ideal trade candidate.
The Nets have plenty of players that fit the bill. Brooklyn needs to clear up a logjam of their own at the guard spot. A player that may interest Cleveland is Sean Kilpatrick.
Kilpatrick’s shooting ability (35 percent from the 3-point line in two seasons in Brooklyn), and overall versatility (13 points, four rebounds, two assists last season) make him a suitable bench option on a Cavs squad that could use a second unit sparkplug.
In giving up Kilpatrick, and facilitating a salary dump for Shumpert, the Nets could ask for Cleveland’s 2018 first round draft pick. With Cleveland owning Brooklyn’s pick, the Cavs could dangle their own selection. It will likely fall in the late first round, but Brooklyn isn’t in a position to refuse any first round picks.
The deal can look like this:
Cleveland gets: Sean Kilpatrick
Milwaukee gets: Iman Shumpert
Brooklyn gets: John Henson, Cleveland’s 2018 first round pick
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The Nets get a big man who can play the center or power forward position. They also get a first round pick. Milwaukee gets a versatile defender that can even be a ball handler in certain lineups under Jason Kidd. The Cavaliers get a much cheaper replacement for Shumpert in Kilpatrick.
If a deal like this presents itself, Brooklyn would do well to pounce. The Nets may as well get involved. If other teams aren’t done dealing, the Nets shouldn’t be done looking to acquire assets and talent.