Cleveland Cavaliers trade guard Joe Harris for financial reasons; Baron Davis to revive NBA career through D-League
Cleveland Cavaliers’ trade Joe Harris Orlando Magic
Cleveland Cavaliers sent 6’6” guard Joe Harris, 2017 second round pick (from Sacramento Kings) and cash considerations to the Orlando Magic to create roster flexibility and save the franchise some money in luxury tax. In exchange for Harris, the Orlando Magic will send a protected second round pick in 2020 (received from the Portland Trailblazers).
"Obviously with Joe having season-ending surgery, Griff [Cavs GM David Griffin], who is always working, was looking as always to create flexibility for possible opportunities going forward," Cavs coach David Blatt said before Cleveland played the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. "Joe was a real good member of the team. He was a guy we all liked having on our team. A guy I really enjoyed coaching. A terrific teammate and a guy with a real future, I believe, in this league. It's one of those things that you wish it didn't have to happen, but it's understandable under the circumstances why."
On Tuesday Harris underwent a successful surgery, which sidelined him for the rest of the season, to remove a bone in his right foot. He was selected 33rd overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers and sources told ESPN.com that the Magic are planning to waive Harris.
The trade not only saves the Cavs 3 million in payroll and taxes but also leaves one roster spot to fill on the team, which will make Cleveland a hotspot for veterans who could agree to buyouts with their current teams. Not to mention the two trade exceptions that Cleveland still hold from last year’s trade with the New York Knicks, worth 10.5 million and 2.8 million dollars each.
In the 2014-15 season, Harris as a rookie played 51 games and started one averaging 2.7 points on 37% shooting in 10 minutes per game. This year, however he has seen an average of just three minutes per game. The move to either waive or trade Harris seemed inevitable after his injury and the Cavs making Jared Cunningham’s contract a guaranteed one for the rest of the season.
2-time All-Star Baron Davis looking to make NBA return
Baron Davis, a 15 year NBA veteran, after three years away from the game is looking to make his return to the league through the D-League. He is expected to sign a contract with a D-League team by Wednesday, his agent Todd Ramasar told Yahoo Sports’ Marc. J. Spears.
"He is looking forward to playing in the D-League and showing teams what he is capable of," Ramasar told Yahoo Sports. "He feels that the timing is right. More than anything Baron has put in the training and is confident in his body. He feels he is ready to return to the NBA."
The D-League is a good platform for Davis to showcase what his game still has. According to national NBA writer for the Washington Post, Tim Bontemps the Texas Legends, affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks are interested in giving Davis a chance.
Mark Cuban says Baron Davis has an open door to play for the Texas Legends if he wants to.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) January 13, 2016
Davis last played in the NBA for the New York Knicks during the 2011-12 season before tearing his ligament in his right knee during the Playoffs. Over a 15 year NBA career, he has averaged 16.1 points, 7.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds with five teams : Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks. In the D-League, Davis could earn anywhere between 13k to 25k dollars after earning over 147 million over the span of his career.
In his three-year absence from the game, Davis has been involved in acting while producing a documentary for the Drew League. Here are Davis top 10 plays of his career: