Hill to Bucks, Dellavedova to Cavs in 3-team deal
The Milwaukee Bucks finalized a deal Friday to add two veterans and clear their books in the short-term future in a five-player trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards.
The Bucks acquired point guard George Hill from Cleveland and forward Jason Smith and a 2021 second-round pick from Washington.
Kevin Pelton grades the trade that sends Matthew Dellavedova back to Cleveland.
The Cavs acquired Matthew Dellavedova and center John Henson along with 2021 first- and second-round draft picks from Milwaukee.
The Wizards acquired Sam Dekker from Cleveland via Milwaukee and swapped second-round draft picks with Cleveland, with the Cavs sending the Wizards’ 2021 pick back to Washington for the Wizards’ 2022 selection.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank George Hill,” Cavs general manager Koby Altman said. “He helped us get to the NBA Finals last year and has been a consummate professional on the court and in our community. Both George and Sam Dekker went about their work here with professionalism and class and we wish them the best.
“At the same time, we’re very pleased to bring Delly back to Cleveland and want to welcome John Henson as well. This deal satisfied several important aspects for us in terms of having both long- and shorter-term benefits and assets involved. We will continue to look for ways to improve and strengthen our position for the future, while enhancing our ability to compete and grow in the short term also.”
Bucks get:
G George Hill
F Jason Smith
2021 second-round pick (from Wizards)
Cavs get:
G Matthew Dellavedova
C John Henson
2021 first-, second-round picks (from Bucks)
2022 second-round pick (from Wizards)
Wizards get:
F Sam Dekker
2021 second-round pick (from Cavs)
The first-round pick that Milwaukee sent to the Cavs has lottery protections and might not convey until as late as 2024 because the Bucks owe a future first-rounder to the Phoenix Suns that might not convey until 2021.
The deal potentially could save the Bucks about $19 million next season if they don’t keep Hill, who has only $1 million of a $19 million deal guaranteed. Both Henson and Dellavedova, who won a title with the Cavs in 2016, have one year and about $10 million left on their contracts.
Milwaukee has several major free agents next summer, including Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon. The three-team trade puts the Bucks in a better financial position to keep their team intact.
The deal came together Friday in time for teams to be able to repackage players in other trades before February’s trade deadline. That was an impetus for getting the deal done now. The Cavs have been very aggressive in looking to move out veterans for future picks, now having acquired four future picks in the past 10 days, including a trade that sent Kyle Korver to Utah.
“We’re excited to welcome George and Jason to the Bucks organization,” GM Jon Horst said. “George provides us added depth and experience at the guard position, while Jason gives us another front-court player who can stretch the floor.”
Hill, 32, is averaging 10.8 points and shooting 46 percent on 3-pointers, though he missed 11 games with a shoulder injury. Dekker, who is from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and starred at Wisconsin, has been out for more than a month with an ankle injury. The 24-year-old has played only nine games.
“This trade allows us to continue to work to improve our team and gives us a young, developing player in Sam whose versatility and athleticism at the forward position will allow him to earn an opportunity to contribute,” Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said. “We wish Jason the best moving forward and appreciate the value he brought to our team as a great teammate and true professional.”
Henson, 27, hasn’t played in a month, recently had wrist surgery and is expected to miss several months. Dellavedova, 28, has been limited to 12 games this season due to an ankle injury and is averaging a career-low 1.7 points.
Smith, 32, who is in the final year of his contract, has played in just 12 games this season, averaging 3.7 points and shooting 40 percent from 3-point range.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks contributed to this report.