Kyrie Irving ranked 3rd by Iman Shumpert in blind teammate list

Kyrie Irving has been placed third on Iman Shumpert’s blind ranking of his former teammates.

What did Shumpert say?

Iman Shumpert, who won an NBA title with Irving on the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, ranked his old teammates during an appearance on “Run It Back” on 22 Jul 2026. Irving sits behind LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in Shumpert’s list, with JR Smith fourth and Kendrick Perkins fifth.

Why Irving’s spot matters

Shumpert played with Irving for three seasons in Cleveland and two more in Brooklyn. The guard helped Irving reach three straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2017 and delivered Cleveland’s first championship in 2016. Shumpert also teamed with Anthony on the Knicks and Rockets, where Anthony’s scoring load shaped Shumpert’s view of high-usage stars.

How the ranking stacks up

Shumpert’s top five puts Irving ahead of Smith and Perkins but behind James and Anthony. James and Irving combined for Cleveland’s 2016 title, while Anthony never won a ring with Shumpert despite their long partnership. The ranking reflects Shumpert’s first-hand view of Irving’s clutch play and chemistry with star teammates.

What comes next for Irving

Irving missed the entire 2025-26 season after an ACL tear but is expected to return fully healthy for 2026-27. His chemistry with Luka Dončić powered Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals, and a reunion with Cooper Flagg could arrive this fall. Shumpert’s praise adds weight to the buzz around Irving’s comeback.