The New Orleans Pelicans are among the group of teams who have expressed interest in trading for Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert, according to Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders.
The Cavaliers have reportedly shopped Shumpert, 27, throughout the offseason.
A source told Basketball Insiders last week that the Pelicans were among the teams interested in Cleveland Cavaliers forward Iman Shumpert. Since acquiring Jae Crowder from the Boston Celtics in the Kyrie Irving trade, many speculated that Shumpert could be expendable.
New Orleans has made efforts towards solidifying its starting group during the past year, acquiring all-star center DeMarcus Cousins in February and signing free-agent Rajon Rondo in July. The team lacks depth on the wing and traded small forward Quincy Pondexter to Chicago on Thursday.
Shumpert, who averaged 7.5 points in 76 games with the Cavs last season, could be placed alongside Jrue Holiday in the backcourt should the team trade for him. He can also play small forward, should the team choose to go small and start Holiday and Rondo in the backcourt.
Shumpert holds career-averages of 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25.5 minutes per game. An athletic shooting guard drafted in 2011, his 36 percent shooting mark from 3-point range last season was the highest since the 2012-13 season.
The Pelicans have also reportedly expressed interest in free agent forward Shabazz Muhammad.
