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Washington Wizards NBA Trade Deadline 2017: How Iman Shumpert Can Help Washington’s Bench

By Jen Julie Smith

Oct 18, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert (4) against the Washington Wizards at the Jerome Schottenstein Center. The Wizards won 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert (4) against the Washington Wizards at the Jerome Schottenstein Center. The Wizards won 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Wizards have been looking to add depth to their second unit and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert is a perfect fit.

Over the past few days, a number of wing players have been linked to the Washington Wizards. The NBA Trade Deadline is just a day away, making a deal involving the Wizards appear imminent.

Lou Williams (who’s since been traded to the Houston Rockets), Bojan Bogdanovic, P.J. Tucker and Shabazz Muhammad have all been linked to Washington.

All of the aforementioned players are known for their versatility in some capacity.

On ESPN Radio, Brian Windhorst reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers have made Iman Shumpert available.

Shumpert, who’s having the best season of his six-year career, would be an interesting target for the Wizards, if they decide to pursue the Cavaliers’ guard.

This season, while coming off the bench, Shumpert has been averaging 7.8 points and 2.9 rebounds on shooting 40 percent from deep.

In 15 starts in place of the injured J.R. Smith, Shumpert’s numbers have increased. He’s scoring roughly 10 points per game on 45 percent shooting from three – making him an elite shooter.

Shumpert, 26, is fresh off two championship runs, and as a shooting guard, would be a solid backup to Bradley Beal.

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Scott Brooks has also shown a willingness to play small in spurts, giving the Wizards another option alongside John Wall and Beal.

Shumpert is just 6-foot-5, but has the length and defensive prowess to defend most wings.

With Kelly Oubre and Shumpert, the Washington Wizards would have two wing players coming off the bench who are both known for their defense.

Perhaps even more importantly, both players have become consistent threats from deep and would be reliable options when Beal or Otto Porter need a rest.

The Wizards would have something that they haven’t had in a long time – a true sixth man in the form of Shumpert.

Shumpert is in his second year of his four-year/$40 million contract with the Cavaliers. His contract for this season is $9.6 million, $10.3 million for 2017-2018, and a player option of $11 million for 2018-2019.

Washington would probably have to find a way to part ways with some (if not all) of the following assets: Ian Mahinmi, Trey Burke and a first round pick.

Now, on paper, the Cavaliers wouldn’t be getting much in return, but this is where Washington’s front office has to start playing chess.

Cleveland is looking for a creator and have worked out a number of free agents. Burke, unlike Shumpert, is capable of leading an offense off the bench – even if he does it inconsistently. He’s a natural point guard, and despite trying in the past, Shumpert isn’t capable of being a floor general.

Mahinmi would also give the Cavaliers a true rim protector. Tristan Thompson is versatile, capable of rebounding and defending pick-and-rolls, but he’s not known for his shot blocking. Channing Frye is the team’s backup center, but he’s an outside shooter – not a defender.

Cleveland has interest in Larry Sanders, but Mahinmi could immediately fill that defensive void for the team.

Next: Predicting a Wizards Trade Deadline Deal

There is little doubt that in order for the Wizards to meet the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, they need to solidify their bench. And by adding an athletic wing such as Shumpert, the Wizards will improve their chances of getting there.

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