The Cleveland Cavaliers have their deepest team since the return of LeBron James, and role player Iman Shumpert might struggle for minutes.
After one of the most transforming offseason’s in team history, the Cleveland Cavaliers might not have enough minutes to go around. Iman Shumpert, a combo guard that started thirty-one games last season, might be the odd man out in the frontcourt. Channing Frye, who was already told he was out of the rotation, is the odd man out in the backcourt.
That said, Iman Shumpert could still play a vital role on this team, but he must be on the court to do so. Where will Shumpert’s minutes even come from? Wade is the starting shooting guard, and JR Smith is the designated backup shooting guard. Those two should combine for most of the minutes at the position that Shumpert is most comfortable with. Small forward is another option, but with Cedi Osman backing up LeBron James. Most of those minutes will be taken up there also.
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This upcoming season, Shumpert will have two ways to prove his worth. He should get some run splitting the backup point guard minutes until Isaiah Thomas returns, and he might be able to sneak his way onto the court with several different small-ball lineups. But, Shumpert might be on his last chance with the Cavaliers. Last season, he averaged just 7.5 points per game and just 10.5 points per 36 minutes. One of the only bright spots for Shumpert was that he shot 36% from deep last season, which was the second highest of his career.
Shumpert, who is obviously a far superior athlete to Jose Calderon, must show that he can operate the offense without LeBron James. Derrick Rose will lead the second unit to start the game, but as most games get further in, Shumpert’s chances off the bench should increase.
He will have two roles this season. One is to lead the offense when James/Rose is off the court. The other will be to be a knockdown shooter while they are on the court. If Cedi Osman struggles to start the season, Shumpert and Smith could tag team with Thompson, Green, and Rose to make a lethal second unit. Four shooters with one elite playmaker should be a perfect strategy for Coach Lue and his staff.
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Nonetheless, this could be Shumpert’s last chance to prove himself. The February trade deadline will quickly be upon us, and Shumpert, if he doesn’t perform well, could, yet again, find himself on the trading block.