Category: Cleveland Cavaliers Blog

Cavs blog – Cleveland Cavaliers blog, blogging Cavs news, rumors and more

Cavs SG Kevin Porter Jr. out with knee injury

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Kevin Porter Jr. suffered a left knee injury during the team’s home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves last night, and will be re-evaluated in around two weeks.

The exact injury has been diagnoses as a left knee sprain.

Porter will undergo a period of treatment, rehabilitation and evaluation.

An active member of the Cavs rotation this season, Porter is averaging 8.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game.

The Cavs, with a record of 10-26, are being led in scoring this season by Collin Sexton (18.5 PPG), Kevin Love (16.4 PPG) and Tristan Thompson (12.4 PPG).

Cavs forward Larry Nance Jr out 1-2 weeks

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. will miss around 1-2 weeks of action due to continued left knee soreness that he’s experienced since missing December 23 Cavs game against the Hawks.

Nance underwent imaging and evaluation at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health by the Cavaliers medical staff today. He will now undergo a period of treatment and rehabilitation and his return to play will be updated as appropriate.

An active member of the team’s rotation this season, Nance has come off the bench for 26 of his 31 games played, and in 24.3 minutes per outing is averaging 8.0 points and 7.0 rebounds.

Cavs give forward Tyler Cook a standard contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have converted the Two-Way contract of forward Tyler Cook into a standard NBA contract.

Cook, listed at 6-foot-9, 255 pounds, was claimed off waivers by the Cavaliers as a Two-Way player on Oct. 19. He has played in six games for Cleveland this season. He has also played in 15 games (four starts) with the Cavaliers’ G League team, the Canton Charge, for whom he averaged 12.6 points on .602 shooting from the field and 6.1 rebounds in 20.7 minutes per game.

Cook played college basketball at the University of Iowa, putting up modest stats. He went undrafted in 2019. But has worked hard and gotten himself a real deal, and must now continue to step up in the hope of solidifying his place in the NBA.

The Cavs have a 10-24 record, but have won first of their last ten games. They’re being led in scoring this season by Collin Sexton (18.1 PPG), Kevin Love (16.6 PPG) and Tristan Thompson (12.6 PPG).

Cavs trade Jordan Clarkson to Jazz for Dante Exum

The Utah Jazz in a trade today acquired guard Jordan Clarkson from Cleveland in exchange for guard Danté Exum and two future second round picks, pending the outcome of physicals.

The two draft picks Cleveland will receive are a 2022 second-round pick via San Antonio and a 2023 second-round pick via Golden State.

Exum (6-5, 214) has appeared in 11 games for Utah this season. In five seasons with the Jazz, he averaged 5.7 points and 2.2 assists in 18.7 minutes over 215 career contests (68 starts), and appeared in 17 career playoff games in 2017 and 2018. The Melbourne, Australia native was originally drafted by Utah with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, “Exum, 24, had struggled to find time in coach Quin Snyder’s playing rotation after recovering from knee surgery. While the Jazz had allocated all of their developmental resources toward Exum, the Australian disappointed during the course of his Jazz career.”

Clarkson (6-4, 192, Missouri) is in his sixth NBA season, currently averaging 14.6 points on 44.2 percent from the field, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 23.0 minutes per game. Among qualified players, the 27-year-old ranks seventh in scoring average off the bench in 2019-20, also having knocked down the fourth most three-point field goals (59) among reserves this season.

Drafted in the second round (46th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Washington (traded to Lakers on draft night), the San Antonio, Texas native has appeared in 411 career games (138 starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers and Cavaliers with career averages of 14.7 points on 44.4 percent shooting, 3.2 boards and 2.7 assists in 27.2 minutes per contest. Following his first season, he was named to the 2014-15 All-Rookie First Team.

Per the Tribune, “Clarkson, known as a slasher along the lines of former Utah guard Alec Burks, spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers before being traded to the Cavs in 2018.”

And one more Tribune note: “Exum will make $9.6 million for this season and next. Clarkson’s deal, on the other hand, expires this summer and will make him $13.4 million this season.”

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) on

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) on

Cavs and Jazz reportedly set to trade Jordan Clarkson, Dante Exum

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly set to trade guard Jordan Clarkson to the Utah Jazz for guard Dante Exum.

According to ESPN.com, “the Jazz will send Cleveland a 2022 (via San Antonio) and 2023 (via Golden State) second-round picks, sources said. This was the NBA’s first trade since the Houston-Oklahoma City deal centered on Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul on July 11. Clarkson arrives with a $13.4 million expiring contract. Exum has two years, $19.2 million left on his contract. The Cavaliers will create a $3.83 million trade exception, which it has one year to use, ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks reports.”

The Cavs are 8-21 this season. Clarkson has come off the bench for all 29 games and is averaging 14.6 points in 23.0 minutes per game. Their focus this season should be on rebuilding for the future.

The Jazz are 18-11 and currently on a five-game winning streak. They’re a playoff competitor. And got little out of Exum during his time on the team due to major injury issues. As for this season, Exum is averaging just 2.2 points in 7.5 minutes per game, over 11 games.

Tristan Thompson out 2-4 weeks with foot injury

Cavaliers forward/center Tristan Thompson will miss around 2-4 weeks with a left foot sprain.

The injury occurred in yesterday’s road game against the Bucks in Milwaukee late in the third quarter, ending Thompson’s evening early.

Additional evaluation and an MRI today at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health confirmed the sprain.

Thompson will now undergo a period of treatment and rehabilitation.

On the return of Matthew Dellavedova to Cleveland

Matthew Dellavedova is back in Cleveland. Whether that means a championship parade will also return to the city is up for discussion. But he should have an impact, in more ways than one. Here’s Cleveland.com reporting on what Delly being back in town might mean, including how it may affect rookie guard Collin Sexton:

The trade with Milwaukee wasn’t as much about Dellavedova or John Henson. For the Cavs, it was about that coveted first-round pick that comes with protections.

The Bucks wanted to move move money, gaining financial flexibility in their quest to surround star Giannis Antetokounmpo with the pieces to compete for a title. That opened up the possibility for Cleveland to land an asset for its rebuild — another important trade chip if the Cavs eventually go star-hunting or a valuable selection to eventually add another promising piece to this growing nucleus.

But don’t think Dellavedova’s inclusion was an accident.

“Delly will be great for Collin,” one member of the front office told cleveland.com before the trade was made official.

Full article.

Cavs, Bucks, Wizards complete three-team NBA trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired guard Matthew Dellavedova and forward/center John Henson from the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-team trade, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman announced today. As part of the trade, Cleveland is also receiving Milwaukee’s own 2021 first round pick and 2021 second round pick as well as a 2022 second round pick from the Washington Wizards. In exchange, the Cavaliers will send guard George Hill and a 2021 second round pick (Washington’s via Utah) to the Bucks and forward Sam Dekker to the Wizards. In addition, Milwaukee will also receive forward Jason Smith from Washington.

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank George Hill,” said Altman. “He helped us get to the NBA Finals last year and has been a consummate professional on the court and in our community. Both George and Sam Dekker went about their work here with professionalism and class and we wish them the best. At the same time, we’re very pleased to bring Delly back to Cleveland and want to welcome John Henson as well. This deal satisfied several important aspects for us in terms of having both long and shorter term benefits and assets involved. We will continue to look for ways to improve and strengthen our position for the future, while enhancing our ability to compete and grow in the short-term also.”

“This trade allows us to continue to work to improve our team and gives us a young, developing player in Sam whose versatility and athleticism at the forward position will allow him to earn an opportunity to contribute,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “We wish Jason the best moving forward and appreciate the value he brought to our team as a great teammate and true professional.”

“We’re excited to welcome George and Jason to the Bucks organization,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. “George provides us added depth and experience at the guard position, while Jason gives us another front court player who can stretch the floor.” … “We wish Delly and John well and thank them for their many contributions both on and off the court.”

Hill (6-3, 188) appeared in 37 games (all starts) for Cleveland after being acquired by the Cavaliers on Feb. 8, 2018, averaging 9.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.4 minutes per game over that span. Dekker (6-9, 230), who was acquired by Cleveland on Aug. 7, 2018, played in nine games (five starts) for the Cavs this season, averaging 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.22 steals in 18.8 minutes per game.

Dellavedova (6-4, 200) played his first three NBA seasons with the Cavaliers from 2013-2016 and was a member of Cleveland’s 2016 NBA Championship team. In 215 career games (31 starts) with the Cavs, he averaged 5.7 points and 3.4 assists in 21.0 minutes per game. Dellavedova ranks ninth in Cavs history for three-point percentage (.398). He appeared in 12 games this season with Milwaukee and owns career averages of 5.8 points and 3.7 assists in 21.4 minutes over 341 games (88 starts) with the Cavaliers and Bucks. Dellavedova will wear jersey number 18 for the Cavs.

Henson (6-11, 219), who is in his eighth NBA season, has spent his entire career with Milwaukee, appearing in 405 games (152 starts) and averaging 7.8 points on .539 shooting, 5.4 rebounds and 1.48 blocks in 20.1 minutes per game. This season, he played in 14 games for the Bucks and averaged 5.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game. He also appeared in the playoffs in four seasons with Milwaukee, playing in 14 games (two starts) and averaging 5.8 points on .536 shooting, 5.1 rebounds and 1.21 blocks in 19.4 minutes per game. Henson will wear jersey number 31 for the Cavs.

Cavs waive Andrew Harrison and Billy Preston, sign Jalen Jones and Jaron Blossomgame

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

A post shared by Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) on

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Jalen Jones and forward Jaron Blossomgame to Two-Way contracts. And in a related move, Cleveland waived Two-Way players Andrew Harrison and Billy Preston.

Jones (6-7, 220) split last season between Dallas and New Orleans, appearing in 16 games and averaging 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game. The Texas A&M product also played in 32 games (21 starts) with Texas and Greensboro in the NBA G League, averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31.4 minutes per game in 2017-18.

Blossomgame (6-7, 220) has played in 10 games (seven starts) in the NBA G League this season with the Austin Spurs and the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League team, averaging 20.9 points on .537 shooting, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32.6 minutes per game. With Canton, he has appeared in four games (one start) and averaged 16.8 points on .511 shooting, 7.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 26.9 minutes per game. The 6-7 forward out of Clemson was originally selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 29th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have two Two-Way contract players on their roster at any given time, in addition to their 15-man regular season roster. A Two-Way player can spend up to 45 days with the Cavs.

Cavs, Jazz trade Alec Burks, Kyle Korver

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired guard Alec Burks and two future second round draft picks from the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard Kyle Korver.

The two draft picks that Cleveland is receiving in the deal are Utah’s own 2020 second round pick and a 2021 second round pick from the Washington Wizards via the Jazz.

“Kyle’s on-court accomplishments are well known,” said Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman. “More importantly, though, Kyle is a great person and teammate. He sets an example in everything he does. His work ethic, character and dependability are all at a very special level and something we will always respect and be thankful for. We wish Kyle and his family the best as he continues his career back in Salt Lake City.”

“Alec is a young vet that’s versatile and talented,” said Altman. “We welcome him to Cleveland and we’re looking forward to him getting started with us soon.”

Burks (6-6, 214) has appeared in 17 games for Utah this season, averaging 8.4 points in 15.8 minutes per game. He has scored in double figures on six occasions in 2018-19, including a season-high 22 points in 27 minutes on Nov. 5 versus Toronto. Playing in his ninth NBA season, Burks holds career averages of 9.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game over 382 career contests (43 starts) with Utah. He also competed in the 2012 and 2018 NBA Playoffs for the Jazz, averaging 8.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game through 13 contests. The 6-6 guard out of Colorado was originally selected by Utah with the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Currently in his 16th NBA season, Korver (6-7, 212, Creighton) has appeared in 1,120 career games (422 starts) with Philadelphia, Utah, Chicago, Atlanta and Cleveland, owning averages of 9.9 points on 44.4 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from three-point range, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 26.0 minutes per contest. Named an All-Star during the 2014-15 season, the Pella, Iowa native currently ranks fourth all-time in NBA history for three-point field goals made (2,238). Along with Stephen Curry and Ray Allen, Korver is one of only three players in NBA history to hit over 2000 three-point field goals on better than 40 percent from beyond the arc in their career.

Korver appeared in 180 games during his first stint in Utah (2007-10), totaling 1,570 points, 468 rebounds and 294 assists, 95 steals and 65 blocks, also helping the Jazz to the postseason in each of his seasons as a Jazzman. He ranks second in Jazz history in three-point field goal percentage (.416) and third in free-throw percentage (.879). During the 2009-10 season, he shot 53.6 percent from three, which set an NBA single-season three-point field goal accuracy record.

Originally selected in the second round (51st overall pick) by the Nets, Korver won the 2014-15 NBA Sportsmanship Award, as voted on by fellow NBA players.