Update: The Rockets will also receive Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin from the Cavaliers, per Wojnarowski. No word yet on if they will be waived. More on that here.
The Houston Rockets have agreed to a three-way trade that will send Sacramento Kings wing Iman Shumpert to Houston, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. The Rockets will ship Brandon Knight, Marquese Chriss, and a protected first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Cavaliers will send Alec Burks to the Kings as part of the deal.
Shumpert has started 40 games for the Kings this season, averaging 8.9 points. He is a strong individual defender who can slot in at small forward off the bench and provide additional assistance locking down the perimeter. The 28-year-old also comes with championship experience, having met the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals four years in a row.
He also comes with an expiring contract. Houston reduces its luxury tax hit by clearing Knight’s salary, and does not tie up long-term money in this deal.
In acquiring Shumpert, the Rockets clear another roster spot. They now have two open spots to work with, allowing them to explore the upcoming buyout market and save room for two-way player Danuel House, should the team choose to revisit contract negotiations. House can rejoin the Rockets after the G League season if granted a traditional NBA deal.
