Iman Shumpert opens up on experience with Rockets

Iman Shumpert opened up on his experience with the Houston Rockets and explained why his Rockets stint didn’t extend past the 2018-19 season.

When the Houston Rockets made the decision to trade for Iman Shumpert, they were making the move in hopes of Shumpert being the 3-and-D player that he had proven to be prior to that point. Shumpert was a necessary ingredient to the 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers, as he made 38.2 percent of his threes in the playoffs, which was better than four-time champion LeBron James.

The Rockets had lost 3-and-D specialist Trevor Ariza in the 2018 offseason, which proved to be a sizable gap that they needed to fill. Rockets GM Daryl Morey decided that Shumpert, who had championship experience, was worth acquiring, which was a logical move, considering that he was on an expiring contract and had similar skills as Ariza.

Shumpert made 38.1 percent of his threes in the Rockets’ Western Conference Semifinals matchup against the Golden State Warriors, leading many to believe that he would be back in a Rockets uniform after the 2018-19 season concluded.

Shumpert opens up on experience with Houston Rockets

That isn’t exactly what happened, as Shumpert explained to former teammate Channing Frye on The Players Tribune.

“Houston bullsh-ted, [and] we didn’t get the deal done.”

Shumpert’s name was dangled in trade talks, as Rockets GM Daryl Morey explored sign-and-trade opportunities for the 2016 NBA champion, but was unable to find a taker. Shumpert decided against signing with the Rockets in 2019-20, as the 3-and-D specialist signed with the Brooklyn Nets, leading the Nets to a 9-4 record with him on their roster.

Shumpert didn’t land a long-term contract with the Nets, as his last game in Brooklyn was on December 11th. Shumpert will certainly land suitors during the 2020 offseason, as his skillset is valuable around the league, which could mean a hefty pay day for the nine-year veteran.

Shumpert didn’t win a title with the Houston Rockets, which he made clear that he was unhappy with during the interview with Frye, as he stated “we didn’t get our ring”.

Shumpert will undoubtedly be eager to land an opportunity to join a contender in the 2020-21 season, and rightfully so. But with the Rockets in a bind financially and with Shumpert’s displeasure with how negotiations went with Morey, don’t expect him to join the Houston Rockets again.