Knicks
Lou Amundson C (CLE)
Alex Kirk C (CLE)
Lance Thomas PF (OKC)
2019 2nd Round Pick (CLE)
Cavaliers
J.R. Smith SG (NY)
Iman Shumpert SG (NY)
2015 1st Round Pick (OKC)*
Thunder
Dion Waiters SG (CLE)
Knicks
This move is essentially a dump of J.R. Smith and his $6.39 million player option in 2015-16. As part of the ongoing roster overhaul, the Knicks continue to expunge toxic players from their locker room. There’s no doubt that Smith is a talented player. After all, he did win sixth man of the year just two years ago. When he wants to, Smith can be one of the more dynamic shooters and playmakers in the NBA. The problem is, that’s not very often. He often gives in to a poor basketball IQ, featuring poor shot selection and overzealous decisions. At this point, the Knicks need to wipe these players from their roster and acquire more savvy teammates to surround Carmelo Anthony.
While the Knicks did have to part with Iman Shumpert, I’ll write that off as the price of doing business. The mere perception of J.R. Smith around the league lowered his value so much, an asset needed to be added to offload him. Shumpert was expendable as he is a restricted free agent at the end of the year. Resigning him wasn’t an option as the Knicks are hoarding 2015 cap space. While you would like to see them recoup a little more value for a young asset, the Knicks are in a unique situation. They want to improve their roster in every way for next season. And yes, that includes tanking. The trade helps the Knicks offload salary and a toxic attitude, while aiding their pursuit of a top draft pick in 2015.
Grade: B
Cavaliers
So let me get this straight. The Cavaliers basically traded Dion Waiters for Dion Waiters in his prime (J.R. Smith), Iman Shumpert AND a 1st round pick. That’s an impressive haul for a malcontent the Cavaliers were pushing out of town anyway.
We all know the perception of J.R. Smith as an enigmatic talent with off the court issues. All of that is true. However, Smith actually seems like a better fit for the Cavs than Waiters. The key is J.R. Smith’s shockingly high efficiency in catch-and-shoot situations. Smith shoots a staggering 46.2% from beyond the arc off the pass. That would make him one of the better long range shooters in the NBA. Unfortunately, this is where Smith’s low basketball IQ really brings him down. Half of his 3pt attempts come from pull-up jumpers which he shoots at a putrid 22.3% clip. Let’s face it, even if you showed J.R. these numbers, his mentality probably wouldn’t change. But if you have someone like Lebron telling him which spots to be in, and how to play, he might just take a hint. I’m banking on Lebron having a key impact on Smith’s game. That and the Cleveland nightlife not being as…tempting as New York’s.
From my perspective, the Cavaliers upgraded from Dion Waiters to J.R. Smith, while adding Shumpert and a late 1st rounder in 2015. Even if Smith doesn’t return to the level I expect, he’ll be no worse than what Waiters was. Additionally, defensive help is on the way once Shump recovers from his injury. The 1st round pick also serves as a valuable asset to grab another key player at the deadline, or add a youngster for next year. The Cavaliers really leveraged the lowly perception of Smith around the league and bought low. This is one of the smarter trades I’ve seen in awhile.
Grade: A+
Thunder
At this point, its well known the Thunder would sell their soul for future financial flexibility. They’re even willing to trade an MVP candidate for future cap room. Sorry still can’t get over that James Harden deal. The point is that no one, sans Kevin Durant, is safe when long-term finances are on the line. That includes the guy who helped keep the Thunder afloat without its two star players, Reggie Jackson. I’m not saying Jackson is equivalent to Harden, because honestly its not even close. But Jackson is a key member of a Thunder team hoping to capture a Western Conference title this year. When you are building a title, you need very good role players and continuity. Over the past two years Jackson has been both. These are the types of players should be trying to acquire.
The acquisition of Waiters likely signals the end of the Reggie Jackson era. And really, that’s my only real complaint from the Thunder’s perspective. Waiters has the rest of this year and next year before he hits restricted free agency. That gives the Thunder a year to decide if he’s part of the solution before dealing him. With Waiters as a potential sixth man, it frees them up to get value for Jackson at the deadline and still have a scoring punch off the bench. Outside of Durant and Westbrook, the Thunder don’t really have many guys who can create their own points. Waiters should excel off the bench, as he will be given the freedom to score at will. While the Thunder do give up a 1st rounder, its guaranteed to be out of the lottery, and Waiters has more talent than any player in that draft range. All in all, the Thunder didn’t do a bad job. They pick up a 3rd/4th scoring option for a non-lottery pick who can be used as a trading chip down the line.
Grade: B
*OKC 1st rounder is protected top 18 in 2015, top 15 in 2016 and 2017. If the pick remains protected past 2017, it becomes two 2nd rounder picks.