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Forget re-signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The real news Thursday is that Iman Shumpert has traded in his high-top fade for a braid-bun.
The 25-year-old wing did put pen to a paper on a new deal with the Cavs, locking himself into a reported four-year, $40-million contract. General manager David Griffin announced the signing while touting Shumpert's defense as an encapsulation of what the Cavs became during an injury-riddled NBA Finals:
Iman is a versatile, two-way player who embodies much of the grit, determination and defense-first mentality our group became identified by. He is evolving as a playmaker on both ends and his impact on our group was enormous throughout our Finals run.
Shumpert officially signed his deal in what appears to be an incredibly comfortable conference room or lecture hall, complete with new hairstyle:
Acquired from the New York Knicks in a deal that helped turn around a poor start for Cleveland, Shumpert averaged 7.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals for the Cavs. In the playoffs, he pushed those numbers to 9.1 points and 4.9 rebounds, taking on a larger role by necessity despite playing through injuries of his own.
The Cavs have spent well into the luxury tax to keep their core together, appease LeBron James, and fight for a title again in 2015-16. Shumpert figures to play a big role in that title chase, likely as the team's starting shooting guard and most leaned-upon perimeter defender.
