Iman Shumpert targeting Friday for Cavs debut

The Cleveland Cavaliers have begun to turn a corner, winning three consecutive games and finally appearing to be on solid footing.

The rich could get richer on Friday, as further defensive reinforcements on the wing are coming. Iman Shumpert, acquired earlier this month in the three-team trade that jettisoned Dion Waiters, could make his Cavaliers debut for that game against the Charlotte Hornets.

Shumpert, who has been out since Dec. 12 with a dislocated left shoulder, won't be able to play Wednesday but has participated in five-on-five at practice and is targeting Friday for his return.

"I felt pretty good," Shumpert said of the session Tuesday. "I got stuck in mud a few times. Just having to go up and down a few times, you get real tired, but other than that I felt good."

The Cavs' wing rotation could get quite interesting with Shumpert in the fold. Normally a shooting guard, Shumpert can also play the three and, in a pinch, spot in at the one. That could make him the de facto backup to Kyrie Irving, who doesn't presently have much of a depth chart behind him. Shumpert could also eat into the reserve wing minutes currently being taken by Matthew Dellavedova, Mike Miller, James Jones and Joe Harris.

What's clear is that Shumpert will help. In 24 games with the New York Knicks, he was averaging 9.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists and knocking down 34.8 percent of his 3-point attempts. He'll be tasked with handling the ball far less in Cleveland, which should help his offensive efficiency, and his disruptive defense on the wing will be welcome on a team that ranks 27th in defensive efficiency.