Trade with Kings looking like loss-loss
When you get right down to it, neither Cavs forward Omri Casspi nor Kings forward-center J.J. Hickson have had a huge impact with their respective teams.
Both players have struggled with their new teams. The Cavs and Kings played for the first time since the June 30 trade.
Some think the trade was about even. But the one thing that might tilt the meter in the Cavs' favor is the conditional first-round pick. The Cavs might never get that first-rounder, but if they do, it could be a huge asset. The pick is protected 1-13 in this year's draft and in 2013. It's protected 1-12 in 2014 and 1-10 in 2015 and 2016. If it's not sent to the Cavs by 2017, it becomes a second-round pick.
The 6-foot-9, 225-pound Casspi doesn't appear to be the long-term solution to the small forward position with the Cavs. He'll eventually need to be replaced with a better player.
The Cavs were in desperate need of a starting small forward. Casspi will have to do for now. He's averaging 7.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 28 starts this season. He's shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from the 3-point arc.
He got up for the matchup with the Kings on Sunday with six points and a career-high 12 rebounds. He hopes to build on his game Tuesday vs. Detroit at home.
The 6-9, 240-pound Hickson has struggled as well. He's averaging 5.2 points and 5.4 rebounds. He's shooting 38.2 percent from the field. He was almost invisible in Sunday's game with no points and four rebounds in 16 minutes.
"I think for us it's worked out so far," Cavs coach Byron Scott said. "I think Omri is doing a pretty good job. And I think in a lot of situations like this, when you get a new player and he's in a new system, sometimes it takes six months to a year before he finally adjusts. I think that's still where Omri is with us. He's still adjusting, but he's getting better."
Observers think the Cavs weren't willing to pay big money for Hickson. That's why they drafted forward-center Tristan Thompson last June and dealt Hickson to the Kings.
Copyright (C) 2012 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
