The Cleveland Cavaliers are doing their best to build a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference now that LeBron James has gone elsewhere. They added to that on Sunday, as the news came out that they are finalizing a deal to acquire forward Sam Dekker from the Los Angeles Clippers. The two sides are still working out the details of this trade, which cannot include cash or future considerations.
The deal will not be finalized until late Monday or Tuesday. Dekker is entering his fourth year in the league, the first two of which were with the Houston Rockets. He was drafted 18th overall out of Wisconsin in the 2015 NBA Draft. The former Badger was involved in the Chris Paul trade between the Rockets and Clippers last June. This trade is just to clear up a roster spot for the Clippers, who hope to be a major player in next summer's free agency. They have 15 guaranteed spots on their roster already, and they will have to waive or trade one more player before September if they want to keep Patrick Beverley.
Dekker averaged just 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game this past season. The Cavaliers will take the $2.8 million contract of the forward, who will be a free agent next season. He will give them depth at that position, as Rodney Hood remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. The Cavs have already locked in Kevin Love, who will take over as the team's top contributor next season.
The deal will not be finalized until late Monday or Tuesday. Dekker is entering his fourth year in the league, the first two of which were with the Houston Rockets. He was drafted 18th overall out of Wisconsin in the 2015 NBA Draft. The former Badger was involved in the Chris Paul trade between the Rockets and Clippers last June. This trade is just to clear up a roster spot for the Clippers, who hope to be a major player in next summer's free agency. They have 15 guaranteed spots on their roster already, and they will have to waive or trade one more player before September if they want to keep Patrick Beverley.
Dekker averaged just 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game this past season. The Cavaliers will take the $2.8 million contract of the forward, who will be a free agent next season. He will give them depth at that position, as Rodney Hood remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. The Cavs have already locked in Kevin Love, who will take over as the team's top contributor next season.