Rockets Rumors: Iman Shumpert Declines Contract Offer, Won't Attend Minicamp

Free-agent shooting guard Iman Shumpert has reportedly declined a contract offer from the Houston Rockets and won't attend the team's minicamp this week in Las Vegas.

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported the update Tuesday. Shumpert made 20 appearances for the Rockets last season after they acquired him in a trade with the Sacramento Kings.

Shumpert averaged 7.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 62 games with the Kings and Rockets last season. While he struggled from the field (37.4 percent shooting), he remained a reliable three-point shooter (34.8 percent).

"Just working quietly behind the scenes," he wrote on Twitter last month in response to a message from Washington Wizards point guard Isaiah Thomas that suggested his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate should already be on an NBA roster.

Shumpert ranked 61st among qualified shooting guards in ESPN's real plus-minus last season.

He'd been engaged in "months of discussions" with the Rockets about a new deal before he turned down the team's latest offer, per Charania.

The 29-year-old Georgia Tech product has a solid track record, highlighted by his 21 playoff appearances during the Cavs' run to the 2016 NBA championship. He's also versatile with the proven ability to make an impact either as a starter or off the bench.

That should earn Shumpert an opportunity elsewhere before the 2019-20 season gets underway if the Rockets don't make another offer.

Houston still needs wing depth behind James Harden and Eric Gordon, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the sides eventually come to terms, though.