Baron Davis Traded To Cavaliers

Added on Feb 24, 2011 by Scott in

NBA

As the NBA trade deadline nears, more deals are being announced. The latest involves point guard Baron Davis, who has been shipped from the Clippers to the Cavaliers, along with a 2011 first-round pick, in exchange for point guard Mo Williams and small forward Jamario Moon. With the Clippers mired in yet another dreadful season, the move allows them to get younger and more importantly dump a massive contract.

Davis, 31, will be with his fourth team since entering the league in 1999. He’s averaged 16.5 points and 7.3 assists in twelve seasons, and was tallying 12.8 points and 7 assists in 43 games in Los Angeles. However, lingering knee issues and landing on the worst team in the NBA are reasons enough to believe Davis might not be long for the Cavs.

In fact, sources told ESPN.com that the lottery pick, not Davis, was the more coveted part of the trade:

“We know we’re going to have to build this team through the lottery,” the source said. “We hope Baron works out, but our primary focus was the pick. We really wanted two top-10 picks to infuse the team with young talent.”

As for the Clippers, Mo Williams gives them a promising, if not elite, point guard to join budding superstar Blake Griffin and shooting guard Eric Gordon. Moon was a throwaway player with an expiring contract.

It’s risky to unload a potential number one pick, but considering their history on draft night it’s not surprising the Clippers made the decision. Nevertheless, with plenty of salary cap space cleared, it looks as if the they will focus on free agency in their attempts to build a contender around Griffin.