What Benefit Would Iman Shumpert Bring to Philadelphia 76ers?

With A Trade Deadline Under 24 Hours, The Philadelphia 76ers have little incentive to become active. But Cleveland Cavalier shooting guard Iman Shumpert might be a valuable acquisition if the Sixers have interest

What a difference a day makes. By this time tomorrow, the Philadelphia 76ers could emerge with no activity despite the arrival and departure of the trade deadline. That’s a change of the pattern since president and general manager Sam Hinkie has taken over. But there is plenty of enticing, intriguing “What if” scenarios boiling in the cauldron of Hinkie’s witch’s brew. And since the deadline is still in the windshield, this is still a possibility. But is there more?

"“Sources say that the Cavs, though, have been more and more active in recent days in pursuing upgrades to their bench, with center Timofey Mozgov and swingman Iman Shumpert — both in the midst of down seasons after their midseason arrivals in 2014-15 — said to be available,” Stein wrote. “Players who interest Cleveland, sources say, include dream target Kyle Korver (who would naturally be very difficult to pry from Atlanta) and Kings reserves Ben McLemore and Kosta Koufos.” – ESPN’s Marc Stein reported Tuesday"

So the Cavaliers are sitting on what appears to be a disinterested shooting guard in Shumpert, the Sacramento Kings are sitting on reserve Ben McLemore, and what are the Sixers sitting on?  Young talent and that first round draft swap with the Sacramento Kings. So what is the incentive for the Cavaliers to move Shumpert? His role is diminished, and as a result so is his interest in the game.

But don’t get confused here. Shumpert is all about defense, and that is an area the Philadelphia 76ers need to enrich at the perimeter. Even if Shumpert is that patchwork guy with a limited shelf life on the team, his contribution to others like shooting guard Nik Stauskas could be incredibly valuable if compounded over time.  Time is something the Philadelphia 76ers have.  So how does the team make this work?  In a three-team scenario, the Philadelphia 76ers get Iman Shumpert from the Cavaliers, the Cavaliers get Ben McLemore from the Kings, and the Kings get a bench player like T.J.McConnell or Jerami Grant, paired with a return of their first round draft swap.  Shooting guard is a huge need on the Philadelphia 76ers right now, and Shumpert would most certainly be an upgrade.

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The Cavaliers get a bench player, the Sixers get a perimeter defender, and the Sacramento Kings get bench prospects with upside and a draft pick. While some may protest the value of the Sixers receipt versus what they are giving up, keep in mind that Shumpert’s reported lack of interest in basketball is a huge devaluation of his ultimate worth.  Even the hint that a player’s heart is no longer in the game is enough to place him in the high risk pile of prospects.

Why would the Sixers do this?  If they believe that Shumpert brings a talent not currently on the roster (perimeter defense) and believes that with the huge support cast and motivating head coach like Brett Brown, they can reignite his passion, this is a good deal for the Sixers.

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There are many articles that believe the Philadelphia 76ers no longer have the assets, the interest, or the need, to pursue a last second trade.  For the most part I do agree with those arguments.  But the Sixers will not let an opportunity get past them if it leads to improving the team, and with the addition of Shumpert, I think the team not only would force their opponents into closer games and away from going lights out with three point shooting, but it would drive their offense back to the post where the team could truly assess whether either or bothJahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel can truly play solid defense at the post.

Just to answer that question might be worth it for the Sixers to pursue this scenario.