The latest in the 2017 NBA Trade updates involves the Minnesota Timberwolves eyeing the Cleveland Cavaliers Iman Shumpert to join their final roster. Would the Cavs give up Shumpert?
Sam Amico of Amico Hoops tweeted that the Minnesota Timberwolves have a "strong interest" in Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert. This is likely due to the TWolves wanting to end their 12-year playoff drought, which by the way is the longest by far in the NBA.
#TWolves have strong interest in #Cavs G Iman Shumpert, league sources tell AmicoHoops.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) February 19, 2017
However, it hasn't been confirmed whether the Cavs has any desire of acquiring any player from the other team. The only way for this deal to happen is if the Cleveland Cavaliers is able to trade Iman Shumpert with another player who would be more than an asset to the team.
But they are short-handed as of the moment due to injuries of JR Smith and Kevin Love. So, losing Shumpert would cripple the team. Iman Shumpert did an amazing job in filling in for JR Smith, reports ESPN.
So, the likely player that fits this is Minnesota Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio. But TWolves giving up Rubio is not a likely scenario. There are other good and young players in Minnesota like Andrew Wiggins, Kris Dunn, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Zach LaVine. Yet, would they actually give up these hard-to-find players?
Iman Shumpert, 26, has an average of 7.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 25.4 minutes per game this season. And after a shaky offensive from the last season, he has amped up his game and has a shooting average of .454 from a 3-point territory. This puts him a valuable asset when it comes to game planning against the Warriors when the seven-game series kicks off.
The Cleveland Cavaliers needs another player like Iman Shumpert, not lose him. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves doesn't seem like giving up Ricky Rubio at any moment as they looking in strengthening both their offense and defense.
But the tides could turn as there are still a couple of days before the 2017 NBA trade deadline. LeBron James wants a playmaker for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves needs a solid replacement for Zach LaVine who is out due to a torn ACL.
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