CLEVELAND -- ESPN and other media outlets have reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers and restricted free-agent shooting guard Iman Shumpert have reached an agreement on a four-year contract worth $40 million.
Initially, the Cavaliers extended Shumpert, as well as power forward Tristan Thompson and point guard Matthew Dellavedova, qualifying offers last week. However, rather than matching any offer sheet Shumpert could have signed with another team, the Cavaliers reached the extension for the veteran defensive stopper.
The Cavaliers acquired Shumpert, along with fellow shooting guard J.R. Smith, in a three-team trade that saw Dion Waiters go to Oklahoma City for a first-round protected pick from the Thunder in the 2015 NBA Draft back in January, and upon his return from a dislocated left shoulder, he became Cleveland's defensive stopper.
In 38 regular-season games with the Cavaliers, Shumpert averaged 1.3 steals a night to go along with 7.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
During 20 postseason games, Shumpert averaged 9.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.3 steals. His point and rebound averages were well above his regular-season production between his 62 games with the Cavaliers and Knicks.
In addition to being the Cavaliers' defensive stopper, Shumpert showed grit and toughness by just being on the floor during the NBA Finals. In the Cavaliers' 96-91 win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 3, Shumpert suffered a left shoulder injury.
With the Cavaliers on the defensive end, Shumpert was defending the ball-handler when Warriors forward Draymond Green set a screen on him. Shumpert immediately clutched his left shoulder and was unable to move his arm before heading to the locker room for further evaluation.
According to small forward LeBron James and Thompson, Shumpert's return to the lineup despite taking a hit from Green proved to be a motivating factor for the Cavaliers, as they fought to take their first-ever series lead in the NBA Finals.
"When he came back on the floor with his shoulder wrapped and knowing that he wasn't at 100 percent, which is his body out there, and still competing, it means everything to the team," James said. "It means everything to me. It means everything to him as well."
Thompson added, "That's what helps you win the game. Those little plays, diving on the floor, getting those 50-50 balls, that's what separates a win from a loss. It's great, Shump checking out of the game and going to the back and able to come back, fight, and do his job and play hard.
"(It) says a lot about his character, and it says a lot about the type of guys we have on our team. We've got warriors that come here to play hard and battle every night."
