Report: Cavs Pursuit of Rose Could Signal Shumpert Trade; Leaves Point Guard Rotation in Question

According to Sam Amico of Amico Hoops, the Cleveland Cavaliers could be nearing a trade to move shooting guard Iman Shumpert.

This news comes in light of reports from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that the Cavs are engaged in serious talks to sign Derrick Rose to a one-year deal worth the league minimum.

The signing of Rose may mean the Cavs are nearing a trade to move reserve guard Iman Shumpert or another player, league sources told Amico Hoops. As the league begins to  focus on smaller lineups, Rose could be used to come off Cleveland’s bench or even start alongside All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving.

-Amico Hoops

Cleveland currently has three point guards on the roster with Irving, Jose Calderon and Kay Felder. Although Rose may not play point guard exclusively, an addition of Rose could change the Cavs’ point guard picture, making Felder and possibly Calderon’s roster spots less concrete. Felder had an up-and-down Summer League and he signed a 3-year contract prior to last season, worth $2.4 Mil. Only $1 Mil. of his contract is guaranteed. Calderon, who will be 36 years old this season, signed a one-year league minimum deal for the 2017-18 season.

Shumpert is under contract through the 2018-19 season, making roughly $10.6 Mil. per season. Although Cleveland probably wouldn’t net a significant haul in return for him, shedding his salary would ease a small fraction of Cleveland’s luxury tax strains and would open a roster spot for a player who could make a bigger impact in the Finals.