The Cleveland Cavaliers are not actively exploring the trade market of Iman Shumpert.

With J.R. Smith signed on a multi-year deal, the Cavaliers could conceivably part with Shumpert. When the Cavaliers acquired Shumpert and Smith from the New York Knicks in 2015, it was Shumpert who was expected to play the bigger role.

The Cavaliers will only trade Shumpert for a piece they feel improves the team.

Shumpert has three seasons and $30 million remaining on his deal.

The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to be engaged in trade talks involving Tyus Jones.

The Wolves have received interest on Jones from the Philadelphia 76ers amongst other teams.

Jones grew up in the Minnesota area and was the 24th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft but he's behind Ricky Rubio and Kris Dunn on their depth chart at point guard.

Jones was also named the 2016 Summer League MVP.

The Milwaukee Bucks are preparing for the possibility of Greg Monroe opting into his contract for the 17-18 season.

Monroe signed a three-year, $51.4 million deal with the Bucks in the 2015 offseason. Monroe is due $17.88 million for the 17-18 season, which he may not command on the open market even with the cap spike.

Monroe has struggled with his fit within the Bucks.

Milwaukee also re-signed Miles Plumlee in the 2016 offseason, extended John Henson a year ago and drafted Thon Maker, making the center position a crowded one long-term.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are attempting to trade away Mo Williams or face a luxury tax hit as they've been unable to agree upon a buyout.

Williams is owed $2.2 million for this season and he did not report to training camp. Williams spent much of the offseason trying to decide if he would retire and ultimately underwent surgery on Oct. 12th.

If the Cavs waive Williams now to create a roster spot, Williams would receive his full salary and the Cavs would have to pay the full tax amount. 

The Cavs have the option of suspending Williams and not paying him, his first paycheck is not due until Nov. 15. But team suspensions do not affect the salary cap and they would still be taxed on the full salary. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers have received interest from several teams on the availability of Iman Shumpert.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the teams that has expressed interest in Shumpert.

With J.R. Smith re-signed, the Cavs could consider trading Shumpert. While the Cavs won't salary-dump Shumpert, they could save considerably on the luxury tax if they find a move that makes sense.

Cleveland has Smith, Mike Dunleavy and Richard Jefferson on the wing along with LeBron James.

LaMarcus Aldridge responded to reports he is unhappy with the San Antonio Spurs during a spot on the Jim Rome Show.

Jackie MacMullan reported this week that the Spurs could consider trading Aldridge this season as the partnership has had issues.

"I didn't buy into it," said Aldridge. I haven't heard anything about it. I talk to (Gregg Popovich) daily and he's always telling me that I'm doing great," Aldridge said. "Trying to be a more of a leader. He's put me in positions where I can be more of a leader. As long as the guys here aren't saying bad things to me. All my teammates have said nothing but great things to me."

Aldridge was asked if he's happy in San Antonio one year after choosing to sign there in free agency.

"Yeah for sure I am," said Aldridge. We made history last year. They've incorporated me into the family. Try to make me one of the big pieces.

"I'm winning. Of course I'm happy. That's why I don't buy into the rumors. I feel like I do my job here and I feel like I've done everything that they've asked. That's why I haven't bought into the rumors."

Kevin Love came into the NBA as a modern Moses Malone with his bigger frame and ability to put up double doubles.

But Love decided to lose 25 pounds by changing his entire diet and workout regiment.

“I saw the way the game was going,” Love says. “It was getting smaller. Big guys were moving around and playing on the perimeter. Guys like that, who played inside-out, were really hard to guard.”

When Love was traded to the Cavaliers in 2014, Love lost even more weight down to 240 pounds.

“I thought we’d run, run, run, and I’d need to be really slender,” he says. “I got too skinny.” 

Love vowed to gain more weight in the 2015 offseason but his shoulder injury derailed those plans.

Love received a lot of blame for the Cavaliers seemingly underachieving during the middle of last season.

“I don’t know how it happened, but he caught all the grief for everything, and it wasn’t fair,” said Tyronn Lue. “Guys like LeBron and Kyrie, they have the ball in their hands, and the bigs take what they can get. Everybody sacrifices, but Kevin sacrificed the most.” 

David Griffin didn't want to trade Love but understood it might be the right option if he wanted to leave ahead of the 2016 trade deadline. Griffin approached Love on Feb. 10 in the trainer's' room but received a definitive answer from Love on wanting to stay.

“I want to be a champion,” said Love.

While the title was a relief to the people of Cleveland, it serves as a new motivator for Love.

“In a weird way, winning made me hungrier, like I have more to prove,” Love said. “It always comes back more to what I can’t do than what I can.”

Rudy Gay has been mentioned in multiple trade rumors less than a week before the start of the season.

Gay has been linked to deals with the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans. Gay has previously informed the Kings he plans to opt for free agency in the 2017 offseason.

“I wake up every day and get ready to play the next game,” Gay said after practice Wednesday. “I’m with the Sacramento Kings. I prepare as if I’m going to be with the Sacramento Kings. I have no choice but to work for the Sacramento Kings.

“All the speculation is BS. Really, it’s out of my control. I’ll come here and be with my teammates and act as if I’ll be here all year.”

Gay admitted he's aware of the rumors.

“I hear it,” he said. “I’ve been traded before. If I came here (to practice) as if I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t help my teammates. That’s a league thing. That’s not just me. That’s something you don’t want a reputation for (quitting on your team).”

Dave Joerger dismissed the trade rumors and commended Gay.

“(Gay’s) a wonderful human being who’s grown as a player and a leader. He likes it here. We all want to win a little bit more. There’s going to be rumors. Guys in the last year of contracts, guys 6-8 who can do the things he does (on the court)."

The Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans have expressed interest in trading for Tyus Jones.

Jones improved his stock around the NBA with his MVP performance in the Summer League. Jones was the 24th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft

The Minnesota Timberwolves are open to moving Jones.

Tom Thibodeau has used non-guaranteed veteran John Lucas III in his point guard rotation.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are receiving trade interest from several teams on Ricky Rubio.

Tom Thibodeau is reluctant to trade Rubio until Kris Dunn shows he's ready to take over the point guard position. Dunn is not expected to become the Wolves' starting point guard until approximately 20 games into the regular season.

Rubio has three seasons and $43 million remaining on his current contract. Rubio is still just 25 and has been an effective two-way point guard when healthy.

The Sacramento Kings are the most determined team looking to acquire Rubio as they continue their search for an upgrade at point guard.