Recent trade rumors have emerged that the Memphis Grizzlies could target Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Iman Shumpert as a possible replacement for Tony Allen.
The 34-year-old Allen, who is known as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA throughout his career, is entering the final year of his four-year, $20 million deal with the Grizzlies this season and is speculated to be intending on testing the unrestricted free-agency market next summer.
If Allen decides to sign with another team, then the Grizzlies will lose arguably their best defender and it will surely affect their "Grit n' Grind" style of basketball.
With that, rumors went out that Memphis may pursue the services of the reigning champions' own perimeter defensive ace in Shumpert.
Fansided suggested that the Grizzlies could send veteran guard Vince Carter and big man Brandan Wright to the Cavs in exchange for Shumpert.
The report said that "Carter will provide the team with three-point shooting and open up the necessary minutes for Cleveland to play its younger talents like Kay Felder and Jordan McRae" while the 28-year-old Wright will give the Cavs "a strong rim-protector and offensive rebounder in the frontcourt that can play as a starter or come off the bench".
It also noted that both Carter and Wright are tested veterans with high basketball IQs that could be relied upon to make the right plays in crucial situations. Making questionable plays during the course of games was said to be Shumpert's main weakness and it could be addressed with the suggested trade.
Amico Hoops' Sam Amico indicated that Cleveland has actually been trying to trade Shumpert even before reports of his DUI arrest were recently made public last month.
The article noted that Shumpert "had a largely disappointing season during the Cavs' run to their first championship" even as he signed a four-year, $40 million extension last summer, which said to have triggered Cleveland's desire to trade him.
Amico then said that "several opposing team executives" told him "earlier this summer the Cavs had called to explore potential trade packages centered on Shumpert".
Shumpert was arrested "on suspicion of DUI" on Aug. 10 near his Atlanta mansion. Reports said that police officers pulled him over at around 11:40 p.m. and found his car smelled like marijuana. A jar with less than an ounce of marijuana was reportedly found in his car during the pullover.
