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Cleveland Cavaliers: Iman Shumpert should be dealt before the season begins

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers restrains Iman Shumpert #4 after a jumpball in the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers restrains Iman Shumpert #4 after a jumpball in the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are at a crossroad, and Iman Shumpert might be the one to find himself on the trading block sooner rather than later.

It’s not Iman Shumpert’s fault that he might be on his way out. His contract takes up too much of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ cap for them to want to keep him. Shumpert is set to make $10.3 million this upcoming season and $11 million the following season.

Shumpert and Thompson are the two players that could be involved in a deal that would bring Carmelo Anthony to Cleveland, and if you are Cleveland, you have to do that. Shumpert has also been rumored to possibly be dealt to Houston for their non-guaranteed contracts.

Shumpert is one of the main trading pieces for the Cavaliers because he still has value. His contract, while not a steal, is certainly better players like Soloman Hill and Miles Plumlee. His intangibles like his aggressive and superb defense along with his ability to shoot the three are other reasons why a team might target Shumpert.

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Shumpert only scored 7.5 points per game last season which is extremely underwhelming especially with the time that J.R. Smith was injured. Monta Ellis, who is a free agent, averaged 8.3 points per game and is a much better playmaker than Shumpert and could possibly replace him.

An ideal scenario for the Cleveland Cavaliers is they trade for Carmelo Anthony and sign a player like Monta Ellis to lead their second unit. The Cavaliers, after being smacked 4-1 in the NBA Finals, should know that they have to switch something up.

Along with switching things up, the Cavaliers have not been able to trust Shumpert in the playoffs: the time he is needed most. After not scoring much in the regular season, Shumpert has been known to drop off in the postseason. Averaging 4.4 points per game this past postseason and 3.3 in the 2015-2016 postseason, Shumpert has not stepped up when needed most, and that is a big issue.

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All that to say, the Cleveland Cavaliers do not need Iman Shumpert, and his talents might find their way out of Cleveland before the season begins.