The Cavaliers traded Dion Waiters to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-way deal that brought former New York Knicks J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert as well as a 1st round pick to The Land. The deal, however, might’ve been consecrated on a basis that goes beyond defense, bench scoring and trade commodities. According to Fox Sport’s writer Sam Amico, this deal also resolved scathing chemistry between Waiters and Cleveland’s All Start Point Guard, Kyrie Irving:
Cavs coach Blatt told Waiters he needed spot-up shooter. Waiters resisted. Believes he's better than Kyrie, thought Kyrie "favored" by Cavs.
— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) January 6, 2015
The deal’s implications are limitless, as the Cavs now have a plethora of assets at their disposal for free agency and other trades. However, now that the Cavs have traded three of their first round picks in this season alone, there’s immense pressure on Cleveland. Hopefully, the locker room situation improves similar to the Cavaliers’ roster situation without Waiters.
