Iman Shumpert Will Reportedly Sign A Four-Year, $40 Million Contract With The Cavs

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The band is coming back together after all. Let’s just hope the Cleveland Cavaliers are at full-strength when it matters most next time around.

According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, restricted free agent Iman Shumpert has agreed to a four-year, $40 million deal with the reigning Eastern Conference champions.

Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the contract includes a player option for its final year.

The 25-year-old emerged as a key cog for the Cavaliers after being traded from the New York Knicks in January. He’s David Blatt’s best perimeter defender outside of an engaged LeBron James, and emerged as a consistent three-point threat in the playoffs against the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. Shumpert’s offense failed him versus the Golden State Warriors with a title on the line, but those struggles can be explained by nagging shoulder pain that required the aid of painkillers.

The next step for the flat-topped wing is further honing his jumper and developing a much greater comfort finishing in the paint. James has even forecasted award-winning defense for Shumpert going forward, too. If that optimism proves accurate, this contract could eventually be considered a steal – especially as the salary cap skyrockets to approximately $108 million for 2017-2018.

With Kevin Love locked-up and Tristan Thompson on the verge of his own multi-year deal, Cleveland is primed for even bigger and better things next season. And should Shumpert take just a small step forward on either end of the floor, the Cavaliers will be in an even better position to accomplish them.

[Via Alex Kennedy, Adrian Wojnarowski] [Via Northeast Ohio Media Group]

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