The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in restricted free-agent Iman Shumpert, who spent the second half of the season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shumpert was traded to the Cavaliers from the New York Knicks alongside J.R. Smith.

Shumpert averaged 8.0 PPG and 3.6 RPG, and his value comes at the defensive end, where he can defend multiple positions. Shumpert can defend point guards, shooting guards and small forwards. He is a terrific athlete and brings toughness to the table. He is good at creating turnovers (1.3 STLPG) with his length.

Shumpert is also a solid shooter (34 percent threes) who excels at making the open shot. In the conference finals against the Chicago Bulls, Shumpert averaged 12.7 PPG and made 2.3 threes per game. He scored at least 13 points in four of the six games in the series. The 25-year old was a huge piece for the Cavaliers as he often defended the best perimeter player from the opposition.

In the Finals, he did a terrific job on All-Star Klay Thompson. Thompson averaged 15.8 PPG and connected on only 30 percent threes. In the last four games, he averaged 10 points.

If Shumpert goes to the Lakers, he will give them a big upgrade defensively. Moving Kobe Bryant to small forward is an option with Shumpert in town. Jordan Clarkson would likely play big minutes off the bench, and D’Angelo Russell would run the show. His personality is also built for a big market like Los Angeles. Shumpert is a laid-back guy who is all business when on the floor.

The addition of Shumpert will certainly boost the Lakers’ defense and will be vital to the Lakers taking the next step.

George Middleton is a Los Angeles Lakers beat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @george51391, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google