NBA Trade Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers Trading Iman Shumpert To Minnesota Timberwolves For Tyus Jones

Are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves secretly having discussions about a guard swap? One of the NBA trade rumors sure to pick up some steam is the idea of the Cavaliers trading Iman Shumpert to the Timberwolves for Tyus Jones. A potential trade between the Cavaliers and Timberwolves would be intriguing for both teams, but will something get done?

It is not a secret that the Cleveland Cavaliers want to change up a couple of things on their roster. According to the Bleacher Report, the Cavaliers are open to trading Iman Shumpert, their perimeter lockdown defender for the past season and a half.

Moving Shumpert would likely bring the Cavaliers very little in return. That is unless there is an NBA team out there willing to give up a useful player or a second round draft pick. The Cavaliers could get some considerable salary relief by trading Shumpert, and the rumors about them looking at trade possibilities are not shocking.

Iman Shumpert is scheduled to make over $9.6 million this season. Because the Cavaliers are over the salary cap, they will be paying the NBA’s luxury tax once again.

The Wolves are among the teams to inquire on Iman Shumpert’s availability. Are the Cavs open to a deal? Story: https://t.co/zi3dNGXfmg pic.twitter.com/iRtAXpDkK7

— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) October 21, 2016

In an ESPN report, the Cavaliers paid out a staggering $54 million in tax penalties. That was more than the overall payrolls of several NBA teams. That figure will only increase this season if the Cavaliers do not shed some salary from their roster. Several NBA trade rumors involving the Cleveland Cavaliers have them shipping Iman Shumpert’s $9.6 million out first.

Even in today’s NBA, where the contracts are bloated, that is a heavy cap figure for a team to be saddled with. Especially if Shumpert’s production shrinks. Few NBA teams can absorb Shumpert’s salary. Plus, it does not seem that the Cavaliers are going to just give him away.

Fortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, there is some interest in Iman Shumpert around the league, and one of those teams is the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Twin Cities Pioneer Press reported that the Timberwolves had contacted the Cavaliers about Iman Shumpert recently.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ head coach, Tom Thibodeau, wants a defensive-minded shooting guard with NBA playoff experience to help teach the younger players. Shumpert is still young at 26-years-old, and he has an NBA championship ring now. That type of experience is invaluable.

As the NBA trade rumors between the Cavaliers and Timberwolves evolve, a deal begins to make sense.

According to Hoops Habit, the Timberwolves are receiving calls for backup point guard Tyus Jones. NBA trade rumors have suggested that the Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans are two of the teams that have inquired about the asking price for Jones.

The Timberwolves still have him on their roster, so nothing substantial has taken place yet. And the longer the Timberwolves hold onto Tyus Jones, the better the odds are for one of the fall’s NBA trade rumors to come to fruition.

Wolves still talking Tyus Jones trade. https://t.co/gHODqtYLDN pic.twitter.com/NF8bsaMpr3

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) October 22, 2016

The retirement (courtesy of the Clarion Ledger) of Mo Williams leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers with a hole at the backup point guard position. There are two teams with an abundance of point guards on their rosters. They are the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Do not expect the Bulls to help out the Cavaliers, but the Timberwolves making a trade could and should happen.

The Cavaliers need to add a little youth and athleticism to their rotation. Jones would be a seamless fit for the Cavaliers. Because Kyrie Irving plays a lot of minutes, Tyus Jones would not play a lot, but he could help the Cavaliers in spurts.

As for the possibility of Iman Shumpert going back to the Timberwolves, he fits the mold of a player that Coach Tom Thibodeau likes. The idea of bringing Shumpert into the fold is enough for the Timberwolves to be receptive to sending Tyus Jones back in a trade.

The Cleveland Cavaliers trading Iman Shumpert to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Tyus Jones is one of the most sensible NBA trade rumors to circulate in the past week. Something could get done between the Cavaliers and Timberwolves in the near future. It is likely that the Timberwolves will have to add a future pick to make the deal work within the NBA rules.

[Featured Image by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images]