Cleveland Cavaliers trade rumors: Cavs looking to ship off Shumpert

With a target clearly set to defend their NBA championship, the Cleveland Cavaliers are still fine tuning their squad in the 2016-17 season.

While they would certainly want to keep their entire squad from last year, that is impossible as they have to adjust and create room for growth to compete with the other teams who are out to dethrone them.

In light of this, rumors are linking Iman Shumpert's name to the trading block. Despite being one of the better perimeter defenders in the game, Shumpert may see himself in another team later on in the year.

According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, there are a few teams eyeing the 26-year-old and it appears the Cavaliers are open to the move.

He said, "Keep an eye on Iman Shumpert. Several teams, including Minnesota, have inquired about his availability in the past few weeks and gotten the impression Cleveland is ready to talk, according to several league sources. The Cavs won't salary-dump Shump for nothing, but given their tax situation, cutting payroll by a few million promises exponential savings."

Shumpert was assumed to be the starting shooting guard for the team while they did not have a deal with J.R. Smith. However, with Smith on board, Shumpert is now relegated to the bench where he will try to make an impact on the defensive end.

In his career, Shumpert averages 7.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game but has a lofty contract for a bench player. This year, Shumpert is set to earn $9.7 million and it will continue until the 2018-19 season.

It is important that the Cavaliers find good pieces for Shumpert if they are to let him go, but keeping him on board will definitely be a big hit for the team in terms of cap space.

Surely there will be a team looking for a lockdown defender, specifically someone who needs a player who is not afraid of contact.