Waiters dealt in 3-team trade

Published 3:15 am Tuesday, January 6, 2015

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers have traded guard Dion Waiters to Oklahoma City and acquired guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert from the New York Knicks in a three-team trade.

A disappointing 19-16, Cleveland dealt Waiters to the Thunder on Monday night in exchange for Oklahoma City’s protected 2015 first-round pick. Also, the Cavs sent reserves Lou Amundson and Alex Kirk and their 2019 second-round pick to the Knicks, who are 5-32 and desperate to clear salary-cap space.

New York also received forward Lance Thomas from Oklahoma City.

Email newsletter signup

The Cavs have been ravaged by injuries in superstar LeBron James’ first season back in Cleveland. The team had discussed moving Waiters over the past two years and finally struck a deal for the former No. 4 overall pick.

Waiters was pulled from the starting lineup in Philadelphia shortly before the Cavs lost to the lowly 76ers, who got their first home win.