Cleveland Cavaliers have been very active in this year's free agency as they gave their best to improve the team and be more competitive next season. Beside signing some of the top free agents to cheap contracts, the Cavaliers have also done a great job trading their players and getting valuable pieces in return. It all started with the Kyrie Irving trade as the guard was sent to the Boston Celtics. Cleveland got Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder, among other pieces, in return, which was a great deal.
After signing a few more players, including Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade, the Cavaliers decided to sign a few young players who could potentially earn a roster spot.
However, they reached the roster limit and now they have to get rid of a few players. With 20 players on the roster, the Cavaliers will have to waive at least three players, and they found a good way to do it as they reached a trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
Cavaliers trade two players to the Hawks
Earlier today, it was speculated that the Cleveland Cavaliers could waive Richard Jefferson. Even though he's a veteran forward, the Cavaliers have no use for him as he is not the same player he used to it. At the end, they ended up trading Jefferson to the Atlanta Hawks. Beside Jefferson, Kay Felder, another player who would have been probably waived, was included in the trade.
Cleveland will Richard Jefferson, Kay Felder and cash to Atlanta, league sources tell ESPN. Deal is agreed in principle.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 13, 2017
Jefferson spent last two years of his career in Cleveland and he averaged 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds there.
The small forward signed a multi-year deal with the Cavaliers last year and he has two more years left on it. Next season, he will be paid $2.5 million while his salary will increase to over $2.6 million in 2019. However, the last year of his contract is not guaranteed.
Kay Felder appeared in only 42 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, playing just 9.2 minutes per game.
He was mostly used during the "garbage time" and he averaged 4.0 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
More details about the deal
Beside Richard Jefferson and Kay Felder, the Cavaliers sent two future second-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks as well, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Both sides agreed to the deal and it is expected to be finalized soon.
It seems that the Hawks have no intention of keeping these two newly-acquired players on the team. Atlanta plans to waive Richard Jefferson, who could become a free agent shortly after. Kay Felder will most likely be waived by the Hawks as well.
