Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 benefits of reported recent trade
By Dan Gilinsky
The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly traded George Hill to the Milwaukee Bucks, in exchange for Matthew Dellavedova, John Henson, and a future first and second-round draft pick. Sam Dekker, who was originally in the package as well, was traded to the Washington Wizards, who traded Jason Smith and a future second-round pick to Milwaukee.
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to be proactive in their rebuild. It was reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst) that the Cavs traded George Hill to the Milwaukee Bucks for Matthew Dellavedova, John Henson and a future first and second-round draft pick. Sam Dekker was also hitched onto the Washington Wizards shortly after in exchange for Jason Smith and a second-round pick going to the Bucks.
News story on Bucks-Cavs deal wIth @wojespn : https://t.co/m88tcOodU5
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) December 8, 2018
According to Wojnarowski, though, the “first may not convey until as late as 2023 because the Bucks owe a future first to the Phoenix Suns that might not convey until 2021.”
Windhorst, and ESPN’s Zach Lowe cleared up the future draft pick discussion shortly thereafter.
Protections on MIL 1st going to CLE, per sources: 1-14 in 2021; 1-10 in 2022; 1-10 and 25-30 in 2023; 1-8 in 2024. Coverts to two seconds in 2025 if not conveyed by then.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 7, 2018
As part of Sam Dekker being re-rerouted to Wizards, Cavs and Wizards will swap second round picks. Cavs will send a 2021 second for a 2022 second. Carry on.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) December 8, 2018
Wojnarowski also highlighted why Cleveland and Milwaukee wanted to get this deal done relating to the relevant players potentially being moved again near the trade deadline.
For Cavaliers and Bucks, there was an urgency to a get deal done by 6 PM ET today. Now the players in the deal are eligible to be aggregated on the Feb. 7 trade deadline. Essentially, they can combine these players with other contracts to move before the deadline.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 7, 2018
There was no surprise whatsoever that the Cavaliers traded Hill; he is a veteran that can help a stabilize a second unit point guard role on a contending team with his low-usage style, and spot-up prowess. So what’s the first benefit of this deal for Cleveland?
#1: More minutes for the rookie
It appears that he has helped Cleveland rookie point guard Collin Sexton for when Sexton took over the starting point guard role when Hill was sidelined with a reported shoulder injury, and now on a contending team in Milwaukee, Hill won’t be taking minutes away from Sexton in crunch time.
Sexton is fourth among rookies this season in scoring (per Basketball Reference), and although he’s only averaging 2.5 assists per game, Hill should get some credit for Sexton gradually improving in his willingness to get other players involved and his passing vision.
The Bucks should get solid play out of Hill when he’s in the game, and with them already having Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon as point guards, Hill shouldn’t have much burden, unless Milwaukee is swinging for the fences and decides to trade one of those aforementioned two.
The second benefit of this deal for Cleveland is the return of a fan favorite.