The Cleveland Cavaliers are welcoming a fan favorite back into The Land. No, it’s not LeBron James. It’s Matthew Dellavedova.
The trade that sent the Aussie point guard back to Cleveland was a pleasant surprise for everyone in the NBA, including Dellavedova himself, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Dellavedova had already begun traveling to Cleveland when The Athletic tried to reach him Friday. A source close to Dellavedova said he was “surprised” by the trade, but “he’s the consummate pro, as you know.”
The Cavs dealt veteran point guard George Hill to the Milwaukee Bucks to welcome Dellavedova back along with John Henson and a couple of draft picks. The Washington Wizards were also involved in the trade, acquiring Sam Dekker and sending big man Jason Smith and a second-rounder to Milwaukee.
Nonetheless, despite getting caught off guard by the trade, Delly has to be excited to return to Cleveland. In fact, it is here where he made his mark in the NBA.
Dellavedova endeared himself to Cavs fans with his grit, hustle, and toughness, and he provided a spark of energy off the bench. Moreover, the Aussie filled in quite nicely for former Cavaliers All-Star guard Kyrie Irving when he was forced to miss most of the 2015 Finals due to a knee injury. Most Cleveland fans remember Delly’s hard-nosed defense against Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry in those Finals, as he really made life difficult for the 2014-15 NBA MVP.
Upon his return, the Cavs will likely look to use Delly in a bench role once again to provide a boost of energy for the second unit. Moreover, the 28-year-old could also serve as a mentor figure to 19-year-old emerging Cavs guard Collin Sexton.
