No doubt Hicksons' looming contract is an issue in the deal.

Wine and Gold: The best case scenario is that the Kings somehow make the playoffs this season. The worst case is we don't see anything for a long long time. My opinion is, Grant could have gotten more concessions on the protections than he got, and I would have held out for more or not made the deal. I don't think that team makes the playoffs for a while...

Give the trade an F

Many years ago I dubbed the Tribe leadership Dolan the dummy and Shapiro the stooge. It now looks like Gilbert is the dummy and Grant the stooge. There was no urgency whatsoever to make that trade. So what if the lockout occurred. It's not like there won't be a tradig period when they come back. We had Stepien in the last century, now Grant is trying to rival him. Grant is fats becoming a reason not to follow the Cavs.

Just an added thought: We traded a starting player who could consistently secure a double double for a bench player and potentially a second round pick. Utter nonsense!!

This smacks of an order from Gilbert to unload JJ after he supported LBJ during the playoffs.

It really isn't much return from a production standpoint.

You have to wonder if the friction between JJ and Scott never went away and became a Phillips type situation.

Cavs, Kings Swap Talent

By: Jason Fleming Last Updated: 6/30/11 1:24 PM ET | 1480 times read

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings agreed to swap a pair of talented young forwards today. The Cavaliers will send power forward J.J. Hickson to the Kings in exchange for small forward Omri Casspi.

The deal was first reported by Marc Stein of ESPN.

The Cavs will also received a lottery-protected first-round pick in 2012 from Sacramento. The pick is top-13 protected in 2013, top-12 protected in 2014, and top-10 protected in 2015-17. If the pick is not conveyed by 2017, the Kings will instead send a 2017 second-round pick, 56-60 protected.

Hickson was originally drafted by the Cavaliers with the 19th overall pick in 2008. Last season, in his first extended time starting (66 games) with the many injuries to the Cavs' frontcourt, he averaged 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds. In Sacramento he figures to give the Kings a bona fide starting power forward next to center DeMarcus Cousins, strengthening a starting lineup that also includes Tyreke Evans and either Jimmer Fredette or Marcus Thornton.

Hickson has one year left on his rookie scale contract, worth $2.4 million (his 2011-12 salary, $1.6 million, was used for trade purposes, good through today).

It also brings into question the status of 6-11 forward Jason Thompson for the Kings, who started 39 games for the team last season. Could he be on the move next? Or will he become first-forward-off-the-bench player?

Hickson was rendered expendable with the drafting of power forward Tristan Thompson with the fourth overall pick in this year's draft by Cleveland. Still young and somewhat raw, this move is an indication the Cavs are very comfortable with their choice and trust Thompson and veteran Antawn Jamison will hold down the four spot. Jamison has one year left on his contract at $15.1 million. Supposedly he was on the block, but the move of Hickson makes that moderately less likely.

In Casspi the Cavaliers receive a forward who can rebound, defend, play physical ball, and hit three-pointers. He was very unhappy with his role under Coach Paul Westphal and has a good shot of becoming Cleveland's starting small forward. In Cleveland he will likely compete for minutes with second-year swingman Christian Eyenga, but his shooting could give him the edge.

Casspi has two years left on his rookie scale contract, worth $1.3 million and $2.3 million.

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?sto ... z1QmxqCaNu

Lockout will start at midnight. No deal reached today.

AlexKennedyNBA I just received this text from an agent: "Cleveland should have traded J.J. Hickson for Amar'e Stoudemire when they had the chance."

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/#ixzz1QmylCRhI

rusty - interesting to read TT and Paul Silas in the same sentence.

In many ways, TT sounds very similar to Silas as a player. And Paul Silas as a TOTAL offensive liability!!

That said, anyone in their right mind realizes what a stud Silas was. If TT turned into Silas, I would be elated!!

Silas was a no nonsense player who could be on my team any day.

Absolute beast on the boards. Especially offensive boards.

Best thing about caspi is the girlfriend

First off. How can you even comment if you have never watched Casspi play ?

IMO, Casspi for Hickson would have been a good deal. Cavs need a small forward. All of Casspi's stats are based on very limited minutes. (Less then 25) Project his numbers over 30+ minutes like he will get with the Cavs.

Hickson would not have averaged double digit rebounds if Andy was healthy last year or will he this year if Cousins stays healthy.

Hickson is a black hole as a player. Bad hands, low IQ, terrible defense. What is to like ?

JJ, earlier today you were worried about Gilbert trying to win too much next year. How do you feel now ?

The Cavs and their FO are the best organization in Cleveland and are one of the best in the entire NBA.

The Cavs now have 4 pieces for the future. Irving, Thompson, Casspi, and Andy. What is not to like ?

Cleveland never had a chance to trade Hickson for Amare. Suns backed out.