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Cleveland Cavaliers: A master list of current trade possibilities

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 26: A general view of the crowd as fire erupts from the jumbotron during player introductions before Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena on May 26, 2015 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 26: A general view of the crowd as fire erupts from the jumbotron during player introductions before Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena on May 26, 2015 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 12: Iman Shumpert #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers passes between James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Patrick Beverley #2 at Toyota Center on March 12, 2017, in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, the user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 12: Iman Shumpert #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers passes between James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Patrick Beverley #2 at Toyota Center on March 12, 2017, in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, the user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Iman Shumpert to Houston for a first-round pick

The Houston Rockets, now led by Chris Paul and James Harden, missed out on the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes. Now, they might be looking for a different player to strengthen their roster. The Rockets backup point guard is Isaiah Taylor. The ESPN depth chart also has James Harden at shooting guard with the addition of CP3. Assuming Harden and Paul split time at the point guard, the Rockets will be left with a gaping hole in their shooting guard depth.

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Iman Shumpert could easily fill that role. Shumpert shot 41.4% from the field last season and had a 50.7% effective field goal percentage which are both the best of his career. Houston plays a very up-tempo and three-point driven offense. That said, Shumpert, while not an incredible outside shooter, can knock down the open three. His 36% from deep last season was the second best of his career.

Mike D’Antoni made it a crucial part of the Rockets’ offense to run and shoot, so Shumpert would be able to fit right in. In many ways, it does this differ from the Cavaliers’ isolation-style offense, but in many ways, it is the same. Harden or Paul will operate the offense and distribute the ball while the other stay open and ready to knock down their shots.

The Rockets might be willing to give up a first-round pick if it means helping their defense and offense excel while adding depth to their roster. Even though their first-round pick might be deep in the first round, the Cavaliers should jump all over a first-round pick for Shump.