2 Trades In 3 Nights: New Look Cavs

Image Credit: David Maxwell-Getty Images

SheridanHoops.com’s Chris Sheridan & CineSport’s Noah Coslov break down the Cavaliers-Knicks-Thunder deal by talking about what the Knicks may do next and if it’s all good for the Cavs & Thunder.

Several weeks of speculation into what Cavs GM David Griffin might do to supplement the Cavs roster came to the forefront this week. The Cavs have executed two trades in the last 3 days in attempts to bolster the teams defensive personal without losing any of it’s bench scoring. It would appear on the surface that Griffin has done just that. Here is a look at how the trades played out after both deals are completed:

J.R.Smith – Smith is an 11 year veteran who has started 173 of his 716 career games. Primarily known as a sixth man who can provide scoring of the bench, he will conceivably look to fill the role that Dion Waiters vacated. Smith has made 100 three point field goals in 7 of his last 10 seasons and was named the NBA’s “Sixth Man Of The Year” in the 2012-13 season. He can be an effective weapon on the offensive end but has the tendency to take his share of bad shots. He brings experience as well as an edge that has been missing from the Cavs this season.
Iman Shumpert– Shumpert is playing in his 4th season in the NBA. He adds good length and fills a massive void as a wing defender. Shumpert has become one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, even at his young age. He has ranked in the top 20 in steal-turnover ratio for two of his three NBA seasons and was named to the first team all rookie team in the 2012 season with the Knicks. Shumpert is making $2.7 million dollars and will be a restricted free agent this summer with a qualifying offer of $3.9 million dollars. Shumpert currently has a dislocated left shoulder and should begin action with his new team in 2-3 weeks.
Timofey Mozgov– The Cavs have been in talks with Denver for some time now and they were finally able pry him away from the Nuggets but it took two first round draft picks(protected picks). The Cavs were high on Mozgov before Anderson Varejao was lost for the season, but after Andy went down, this acquisition went from much needed to crucial. He is a legitimate force in the paint and will inevitably bring the Cavs a much needed upgrade down low in the interior on offense and defense. Mozgov played for Coach Blatt on the Russian national team and already has as good working relationship with him. The big man also has a very cap friendly contract because of an agreeable team option worth $4.95 million for next season.

The Cavs addressed their major problems with this week’s deals and although they gave up a very talented young player in Dion Waiters and a few draft picks, they got back three players that can and will make this Cavs team better. David Griffin did well for his basketball team with the moves that he made; and more than anything, I love that he took action now, and not waiting for next season to makes moves. He, like all of us fans, wants to win NOW.

By: Brad Ward

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