NBA Rumors: Nets Sign Former Cavs Swingman To Fill Up Depleted Brooklyn Roster

The Knicks selected guard Iman Shumpert with the No. 17 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft. Reuters

The Brooklyn Nets need replacements fast with more players getting injured. Caris LeVert, the team's starting shooting guard, will be out for some time due to a thumb injury. A player they are reportedly getting is former Cleveland Cavaliers swingman, Iman Shumpert.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Nets have signed the 29-year-old player as their 16th man on the roster. Brooklyn could have turned to Wilson Chandler to fill up the slack. But as most know, the 32-year-old NBA vet has meted a 25-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Free agent guard Iman Shumpert is signing with the Brooklyn Nets, league sources tell ESPN. Nets have a 16th roster spot until Wilson Chandler suspension ends in mid-December
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 13, 2019

There is no official timetable on how long LeVert will be out of action. It was earlier mentioned that he could be out for two weeks. Unfortunately, it appears he may be in the sidelines longer. He is set to see a specialist for further evaluation, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The Brooklyn Nets fear guard Caris LeVert has ligament damage in his right thumb and he is visiting specialists for further evaluation, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 13, 2019

If the Nets do go on to sign Shumpert, he will reunite with former teammate Kyrie Irving. Both were teammates when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA title. Uncle Drew was reportedly the one who batted for Shumpert's signing. However, it could be a short-term reunion, depending on how Shumpert fits into the system of head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Shumpert holds career-averages of 7.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 446 games. He last played for the Houston Rockets where he played only 20 games.

There is no telling how to fit Shumpert is right now. In a previous post, it was reported that the 17th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft was focusing on his clothing line brand, Centrepiece by Iman Shumpert. Left idle at that time, it was seen as a wise investment considering his NBA future was on hold.

Terms of Shumpert's deal have not been divulged. But even more interesting is what happens next once LeVert and/or Chandler is cleared to return. Chandler's suspension will lapse in December. Shumpert has a golden chance to show he can still play ball, made even easier with Irving watching his back.

ESPN+