Matthew Dellavedova returns to Cavs in NBA trade
Matthew Dellavedova will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers after being traded by the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday (AEDT).
The Australian guard won an NBA title with Cleveland in 2016 alongside hometown hero LeBron James.
He subsequently signed a four-year, US$38 million deal with the Bucks, but has progressively fallen out of favour as Milwaukee underwent coaching changes.
The Bucks sent Dellavedova, John Henson and draft picks to Cleveland, while the Washington Wizards were brought in to complete the deal.
Milwaukee is sending Dellavedova, John Henson and a first-round and future second-round pick to Cavs for George Hill, league source tells ESPN. https://t.co/L5vWlxdj8M
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 7, 2018
Sources: Washington will join the Cavs-Bucks deal as a third team — and acquire Sam Dekker for Jason Smith and a future second-round pick.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 8, 2018
Dellavedova made his name in the NBA when he secured a contract after being invited to training camp.
He subsequently became a cult hero, none more so than when he sent himself to hospital with exhaustive performances against Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry in the 2015 NBA Finals defeat.
Dellavedova averaged 26.1 minutes in 76 games, starting 54 times, for Milwaukee in the 2016-17 season.
But injuries have hit since and he averaged only 18.7 minutes in 38 games last season, while the Victorian has played a total of just 97 minutes in 12 games so far this season.
The trade was motivated by money, with the Bucks’ books much lighter after sending Dellavedova ($19.2m) and Henson ($21m) away for Hill ($19m) and Dekker ($2.7m).
Dellavedova could be traded again this season, with the Australian eligible to be moved by Cleveland before the February deadline.
Employees and fans here at The Q are buzzing about “Delly” coming back. I’ve heard it roughly 41 times in the last 41 minutes
— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) December 7, 2018