Option two – Iman Shumpert
Iman Shumpert‘s name has been bandied about in plenty of free-agent conversation since the NBA’s restart plan was announced. Shumpert may be the only NBA caliber wing available on the open market, and he is the only one with championship experience.
Shumpert has had injury issues recently, but when fit, he is a plus NBA defender, who, in 79 NBA playoff games, was able to knock down 37 percent of his three-pointers.
Shumpert won an NBA title with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, also going to three straight NBA finals where he guarded some of the toughest wing threats.
Between him and JR Smith, they had Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and then Kevin Durant to guard. Obviously, they only won the one finals, but Shumpert was a vital part of the 2015/16 team that so famously came back from a three games to one deficit.
Shumpert’s man to man defense, championship experience, and shooting ability are all things that are tough to find on the free agency market. If the Blazers were able to sign him as a backup wing, he could fill in the minutes at backup two guard when Gary Trent Jr had to slide up to the three.
As would be the case with any free agent that is signed at the moment, the financial obligation is small, and Shumpert could be signed just for the remainder of this season.