The Raven Report 1.6.15: Cavs Trade Waiters & L.A. Rams

By @nevaRWilliams

- Last night, the Cavaliers suffered an embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, 95-92. Kevin Love's monster game of 28 points and 19 rebounds was squandered away when point guard Matthew Dellavedova took it upon himself to blow three straight possessions to seal the win, including missing two free throws. Joe Harris scored 16 in his first start, while Tristan Thompson added 18 points and 9 rebounds.

Now you might be asking yourself, why would Joe Harris get the start? Well, Dion Waiters was expected to start but was pulled right before the game. Why? Because GM David Griffin had something up his sleeve and the Cavaliers pulled off a three-way trade that involved Waiters, the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The deal breaks down like this:

Thunder: Dion Waiters

Cavaliers: J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, Protected 1st-Round Draft Pick (OKC)

Knicks: Lou Amundson, Alex Kirk, Lance Thomas, 2019 2nd Round Pick (CLE)


Waiters, 23, while averaging 10.5 points, just never seemed to find his fit on the new Cavaliers. From his reluctance to give up his starter role for a 6th man bench role, or his dicey shot selection and pouty attitude, it was bound to be a break up with the team sooner or later.

Smith, 29, is averaging 10.9 points, while Shumpert, 24, is averaging 9.3 points, along with 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Shumpert will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2015.

The Thunder's pick sent to the Cavaliers is protected as follows: The Cavs will get the pick if it is outside the top 18 this year or if its outside the top 15 in 2016 or 2017. If it doesn't happen in either of the three years, it becomes two second round picks.

The Knicks also waived center Samuel Dalembert to save them $3.8 million. The Cavs could look into signing the big man as well.

As far as salaries go, J.R. Smith will make $5.9M, and has a player option for $6.3M in 2015-16. Iman Shumpert makes $2.7M and has a qualifying offer $3.8 in 2015-16. Dion Waiters this season will make $4M, then $5.1M in 2015-16 and finally a qualifying offer of $6.7M in 2016-17.

- It seems as thought the St. Louis Rams could be back in Los Angeles as early as 2016.

Rams owner Stan Kroenke has joined with owners of a 60 acre Hollywood Park site, purchased last year, to build an NFL stadium that would be adjacent to the Forum and Hollywood Park.

The planned "City of Champions Revitalization Project" would include an 80,000 seat stadium, a performance venue that seats up to 6,000, 890,000 square feet of retail, 780,000 square feet of office space, 2,500 new residential units, a 300 room hotel and 25 acres of public parks, playgrounds and open space.

The 80,000 seat stadium could also help in Los Angeles' bid to host the 2024 Olympics and possibly bid for a future World Cup.

Leadoff with Lee 8.12.14

Good Morning my "Threats" Leadoff with Lee is back and here's what I got.

-The NBA and ABC want a 5pm start for the Christmas Day home game featuring the Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. What the networks and NBA want, is what they get. The NBA schedule will be released on Wednesday.

-Andrew Wiggins wants to be traded to Minnesota, according to his college coach, Kansas' Bill Self. The trade has been out there and I guess Wiggins is going to take what he can get. Wiggins and his college coach feel he can make more of an impact in Minnesota than Cleveland. Well duh, try to outshine LeBron, Kyrie, Love, Waiters or Thompson.....? Good luck!

-The Cavs signed 7' 245lbs center Alex Kirk. Kirk has a good chance of making the team this year, as Anderson Varejao and Brendan Haywood have been somewhat injury prone.

-Shawn Marion hasn't signed with the Cavs yet...why not? He may re-sign with the Mavs. But the Indiana Pacers can sign him for more money because of the injury exception they received after the Paul George injury.

-Ray Allen is still making up his mind if he will play this year. It has been reported he wants to play with a contender, which would make the Cavs the front runner. But Allen has four other choices. Sign with the Cavs, remain a free agent and sign with a team that's in contention, retire, or from my "SOURCE" become a coach with UCONN.

-I'm not going to break down Browns pre-season games but will tell you what I liked. I liked the multiple fronts that Pettine ran. From one down lineman to everyone standing up, all the way to your basic 3-4 and 4-3 defense. Pettine seems to like his nickel and cornerbacks blitzing. And I like that. The D-line had hurries that are just as good as sacks to me. Paul Kruger, Barkevious Mingo and Desmond Bryant will have big years this year. It will be good to see what Justin Gilbert will offer this season. The passing game by opponents should be in lockdown. Well that, as long as Buster Skrine does his thing.

-Just wait and see who is going to start next Monday. Mike Pettine is in no rush to name a starter vs. The Washington Redskins next Monday. From what I have been told, both quarterbacks will see action with the first team offense and even more playing time than last week. Browns QB Brian Hoyer isn't going down without a fight. He stated "I am the guy until proven otherwise". We really do have a "TRUE" QB competition.

-The Tribe was off yesterday.... thank God.