Cavs Trades: Five Deals That Make Sense

Dec 31, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center John Henson (31) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters (3) during the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Milwaukee won 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Why the Cavs Make the Trade

In the deal the Cleveland Cavaliers acquire two players that would play right away off the bench and provide two skills that are currently missing from the team. Jared Dudley has been a good to great 3 point shooter for most of his career. On the season he is shooting 44% from beyond the arc. John Henson is a a better version of Brandan Wright as a shot blocker, currently at 1.5 a game in only a little over 14 minutes a game.

While Henson can get moved around in the paint, he has improved his overall body strength since entering the league out of North Carolina. The Cavs primary need for a weakside defender to help on drives is something Henson does very well with his high basketball IQ.

Dudley has been around the league and has experience from last season playing on a team that was competing at a high level (Clippers). His shooting will help spread the floor for the rest of the team and he has enough size and strength to play the small forward spot on the backup unit (6’7″ 225 pounds).

With this deal the Cavs lose a long term prospect shooter in Joe Harris, that they like, and Matthew Dellavedova, a player that has struggled when placed into a bigger role. Early in February, A.J Price could be substituted for Delly. The first round pick could help them bring in a young player in the draft but the Cavs are in a win now mode. Getting two players with two years left on their deal is huge for the Cavs. That likely could entice the Cavs to make other draft related concessions as well.

Why the Bucks Make the Trade

The Milwaukee Bucks have been a surprising team this season but Dudley and Henson have not been a big part of that. Dudley is stuck behind Giannis Antekokounmpo and O.J. Mayo at shooting guard, not to mention Jerryd Bayless who often plays that role off the bench. He is listed as the Bucks backup small forward behind Khris Middleton.

Henson is a part of a very crowded front court. Jabari Parker, the super rookie, is out for the season but is expected back next year healthy and ready to go. Ersan Ilyasova has fallen off since signing his contract extension but is still getting more minutes than Henson. The ESPN Bucks Depth Chart even has Johnny O’Bryant III ahead of Henson on their depth chart.

In return for two players that don’t seem to be in the Bucks long term plans the team can acquire a backup point guard who has defensive abilities, and is on a cheap contract, another young shooter to pair with Giannis and Parker in the future, the Bucks will need shooters around their young stars, and a first round pick.

In the past couple of seasons first round picks have become harder and harder to obtain. While contenders used to throw them around like throw ins to trades, they have now been given their appropriate level of respect. Obtaining one has become very difficult. The Bucks could also squeeze the right to switch draft spots with the Cavs in future seasons, just in case things implode in Cleveland, as an added value to the trade.

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