The Cleveland Cavaliers have finally made a trade, reportedly, though I’ll admit I didn’t see this one coming. According to various sources, the Cavs have acquired guard Baron Davis from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for guard Mo Williams and F Jamario Moon. The Cavaliers will also receive the Clippers 1st Round pick in 2011.
The reason the Clippers would send the Cavaliers a draft pick is simple – money. The deal saves Los Angeles a ton of cash. Davis is owed $28 million over the next two seasons while Williams has player options at $8.5 million and $9.3 million the next two seasons meaning the Clippers could be free and clear as soon as this summer.
Besides Davis, this deal could give the Cavaliers two picks in the Top-10 of the 2011 NBA Draft with the Clippers on their way to the lottery once again. The Cavs know that is the best – and fastest – to rebuild the team the right way.
“We know we’re going to have to build this team through the lottery,” the source said. “We hope Baron works out, but our primary focus was the pick. We really wanted two top-10 picks to infuse the team with young talent.”