Brian Windhorst of The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting that the Milwaukee Bucks have traded point guard Mo Williams to the Cavs in exchange for the expiring contracts of guard Damon Jones and forward Joe Smith. As part of the deal, the Bucks will receive Jones and Oklahoma City point guard Luke Ridnour. Oklahoma City acquires Smith and Bucks forward Desmond Mason. Oklahoma City also will send swingman Adrian Griffin to the Bucks.
Tom Ziller notes that the deal kills Cleveland’s chances of adding a big name star next summer, but the Cavs still have Eric Snow and Wally Szczerbiak’s expiring contracts as trade bait.
Dan Labbe of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reminds Cavs fans that Williams is only 26 years of age. And worth every bit of his $8.5 million per year salary.
I remember Williams most for his performance against Cleveland on March 23rd of this year. BallerBlogger contributing writer and Cavs fanatic ’Tsunami’ and I were involved in a wager involving how many games the Cavs would win last season. Mo came through for me against the Cavs as the Bucks prevailed 108-98 behind Mo’s team-high 29 points. Now that the sanctity of my avatar at Foxsports is safe, I’ll continue to pull for Williams in Cleveland. LeBron could use the help.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Oh man, how could I forget this game! Mo Williams was TEARING US UP! I remember watching this game and the whole time thinking – all this guy does is break his man down off the dribble – if we had a guy like this, we’d be set. Honest to God when the Michael Redd trade rumors started swirling I actually thought I’d rather have Mo Williams just because he’s on the UPTICK of his prime and we need someone who can break down defenses. LOVE THIS MOVE!
August 13th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
This is a huge move for the Cavs. Losing Smith could hurt a bit, since he was in a lot of ways the Cavs’ most efficient post player last year. However, the payoff is huge for how little they gave up. Williams is a guard who can initiate the offense, create his own shot, and is a good spot-up shooter. In other words, he’s exactly what the Cavs needed. The absence of Smith may also allow more minutes for rookie J.J. Hickson, who has looked very promising so far and could make a solid backup. Not only that, but Cleveland still has $20 mil in expiring contracts that they could package at the trade deadline to bring in another piece. Great trade.
August 14th, 2008 at 2:24 am
I am happy Desmond Mason is back in OKC. I live near OKC and plan on hitting up a game sometime this season…and Durant needs a LOT of help….this is a start…
Im liking the move for the Cavs, but losing Joe Smith will definitely hurt. I expect the Cavs to make another trade before the regular season begins…
August 14th, 2008 at 6:04 am
cool now maybe lebrick won’t have to futz around at the top of the key pounding the air out of the ball for the whole shot clock, and being an immature, hoodrat, ball hogger. all the while mike brown sits on the bench with his thumb up his butt.
this is a sure sign that lebron will be playing for pluto in 2011.