The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to wheel and deal in an effort to acquire younger talent and start the rebuilding process. Friday, the wine and gold brought back a part of the 2016 NBA championship squad.
As part of a three team deal, the Cavaliers are bringing back reserve point guard Matthew Dellavedova to Cleveland. Dellavedova spent that last two seasons as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Cavaliers will also receive veteran power forward John Henson from Milwaukee. The Washington Wizards are also involved in this trade.
Both Henson and Dellavedova have one year and about $10 million left on their contracts.
In total five players and three future draft picks are a part of this trade. The Cavaliers send veteran point guard George Hill to the Bucks. Milwaukee also receives forward Jason Smith from the Wizards. Washington receives small forward Sam Dekker from Cleveland by way of Milwaukee. The Cavaliers get Dellavedova, Henson and also a first and second round pick in 2021 from the Bucks. Cleveland also returns a 2021 second round pick to Washington in exchange for a 2022 second round pick.
Hill started the season as the number one point guard. Injuries opened the door for first round pick Collin Sexton. Hill now has a chance to help another up and coming team make a deep playoff run.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank George Hill,” Cavs general manager Koby Altman said on a team release. “He helped us get to the NBA Finals last year and has been a consummate professional on the court and in our community. Both George and Sam Dekker went about their work here with professionalism and class and we wish them the best.
Dellavedova is likely to serve as a backup point guard behind Sexton. It’s the same role he had the first time in a win and gold uniform.
“We’re very pleased to bring Delly back to Cleveland and want to welcome John Henson as well,” Altman said. “This deal satisfied several important aspects for us in terms of having both long and shorter term benefits and assets involved. We will continue to look for ways to improve and strengthen our position for the future, while enhancing our ability to compete and grow in the short-term also.”
The deal also means the phrase ‘Delly Trey’ will become a popular saying around the city of Cleveland again.
As for Henson, he is out for several months following wrist surgery.
Scott Piker is the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage.com. So follow him on twitter @ScottPikerSport
