Blockbuster Trade

Last night a blockbuster trade had been completed between 3 teams Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, & Oklahoma City Thunder. Dion Waiters has wanted to be a starter and star for a long time and it seems like he still will not get that wish. But he will be getting the bulk of the minutes at the shooting guard position for the Oklahoma Thunder but will still come off the bench for Andre Roberson. The Cavs have got rid of a huge talent in Waiters but getting the headcase JR Smith and the injury prone Iman Shumpert could fill the void under the right leadership. If JR Smith can keep leveled headed and stay out of trouble and Shumpert can get back healthy from the separated shoulder injury the Cavs could find the bench players they needed to keep them in contention for a championship run. Because the bench players they have such as James Jones, Joe Harris, Matthew Dellavedova, Brendan Haywood and AJ Price just isn't going to cut it. Also the Cavs got a protected first round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder that they will only receive if it falls out of the top 18 which is highly likely the way the Thunder has been playing lately. So the Cavs basically have got the best part of the trade.  Also the Cavs get a top 15 protected pick in 2016 and 2017 before turning into second round picks in 2018.

However the Knicks were in this trade for a different reason they are in a rebuild mode especially with the knee injury on Carmelo Anthony with no timetable return when he will be back in action. So basically I'm shocked they didn't ask for any first picks. At least they got a 2019 second round pick from the Cavs. But they were able to get rid of Shumpert and JR smith contracts which will save them 20 million dollars. This will help them in the off season to be able to spend money on these high profiled free agents becoming free agents this summer. They're rumors that the Knicks are going to try and target Marc Gasol in the free agency now they have the money to make this rumor possibly come true if he decides to leave Memphis this summer. Also now they can go after shooting guard Arron Afflalo in the summer who can help the Knicks on both sides of the ball. Melo can finally start getting the pieces he deserves to make the New York Knicks a contender team next year.

But the main player in this trade was by far Dion Waiters. Can Waiters be the piece the Thunder been missing to win a championship? Time will only tell how well he fits the Thunder scheme. I feel as though he will bring energy off the bench and get the team some quick buckets. But the main question everyone is asking will he be able to accept that off the bench role or still complain about not starting? But overall the Thunder are getting a overall offensively sounded shooting guard something they have been waiting for from Jeremy Lamb which just hasn't happened yet. Also the Thunder really came out big by being able to keep Reggie Jackson and still doing this trade. We will see 3 months in the playoffs if the Cavs or Thunder made out better in this trade.