Mo Williams traded to Cavs

An NBA executive said the Cavaliers, in a trade expected to be completed later today, finally have acquired a top-level point guard in executing a six-player, three-team deal.

The Milwaukee Bucks traded point guard Mo Williams to the Cavs in exchange for the expiring contracts of guard Damon Jones and forward Joe Smith. As part of the deal, the Bucks will receive Jones and Oklahoma City point guard Luke Ridnour. Oklahoma City acquires Smith and Bucks forward Desmond Mason. Oklahoma City also will send swingman Adrian Griffin to the Bucks.

Williams scored 17.2 points per game with the Bucks last season. He averaged 6.3 assists in 66 games, shooting 48 percent from the field, 86 percent from the free-throw line. He was drafted out of the University of Alabama by the Utah Jazz in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft.

Williams is coming off three strong seasons with the Bucks, where he established himself as one of the league's better offensive point guards. He is known for his ability to break down defenses off the dribble. The Cavs are taking on significant salary with this move.

Williams has five years and $43 million left on a contract that he signed last summer. He'll make $8.5 million this season and owns a player option for 2012-13 at $8.5 million. The Cavs showed interest in him last year, but he resigned with the Bucks.

Williams will likely be the starting point guard, which leaves restricted free agent Delonte West without much bargaining power in his protracted contract negotiations with the team.

Sources said the Cavs still want to bring West back but this increases the chances that he will take the qualifying offer of $2.8 million for one season.

The loss of Smith is expected to be made up by rookie forward J.J. Hickson, the Cavs' first-round draft choice. He impressed the Cavs during summer-league play last month.

Jones played in 67 games for the Cavs last season, averaging 19 minutes and 6.5 points. He played three years for the Cavs and likely will be remembered most for his game-winning shot against the Washington Wizards in the 2006 playoffs.

Smith, who was acquired in the blockbuster deal last February from the Chicago Bulls, averaged 8.1 points, five rebounds and 21.5 minutes in 27 games for the Cavs.


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I don`t like the trade for Milwaukee. I know that Ridnour is a good PG... but I liked Williams much more. Cleveland finally gets an offensive player to help LeBron

Why would Seattle/OKC trade their 2nd best player and team leader and recieve yet ANOTHER inconsistent wingman? That team is headed in the wrong direction.

Milwaukee, on the other hand, should do somethin in the East this year. Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson are going to be ALL-STARS this year.

Thought this was just a rumor

Why would Seattle/OKC trade their 2nd best player

They didn't trade Nick Collison? (Or Kevin Durant? Or Earl Watson?)

and team leader

The guy who got benched for Earl Watson, only started 5 games (only two of which came back to back) and didn't even crack 1250 minutes last year?

Why would Seattle/OKC trade their 2nd best player

They didn't trade Nick Collison? (Or Kevin Durant? Or Earl Watson?)

and team leader

The guy who got benched for Earl Watson, only started 5 games (only two of which came back to back) and didn't even crack 1250 minutes last year?

1. Durant
2. Ridnour
3. Collison


Collison doesn't show up every night, and Watson isn't much of a scorer.

And honestly, who's better: Luke Ridnour or Earl Watson?\

Luke Ridnour any day, even on Saturdays.

I just saw this on RealGM.

Cleveland will look better with their added fire power in Mo but they lose frontcourt depth in Joe Smith.

On the other hand, Milwaukee gets some nice expirings (Griffin and Jones) in the deal, while getting a decent PG (Ridnour) to replace Mo.

I like this trade for Oklahoma since they get two veterans in Smith and Mason while clearing the logjam in their PG position (Ridnour/Watson/Westbrook).

I think the Bucks are fools with this deal, they gave up Mo who is a top 10 PG in the league + team leader + major offensive force and Mason who is a solid backup for Redd and RJ.. they got Ridnour who is a bench player in most NBA teams + he played bad last year behind Watson (!), Joe Smith who they don't really need because they already have Bogut, Villanueva, M.Allen, Gadzuric and they got some useless players like Jones and Griffin.

Just when I thought this team was going in the right direction with Mo, Redd, RJ, Villanueva and Bogut...

And honestly, who's better: Luke Ridnour or Earl Watson?

Earl Watson.

I like this trade for all teams be btw dude the sonics got joe smith not the buccks. Ridnour is a pass first pg which Williams is not. With scorers like redd nd rj I think he's exactly what the bucKs need

Love the trade. Cavs get a good point guard that can actually score. Thunder get rid of their logjam at the PG position and get expirings and a starting SG. Bucks... well fail.

I like this trade for all teams be btw dude the sonics got joe smith not the buccks. Ridnour is a pass first pg which Williams is not. With scorers like redd nd rj I think he's exactly what the bucKs need

Mo Williams' assist percentage: 30
Luke Ridnour's : 29.5

Love the trade. Cavs get a good point guard that can actually score. Thunder get rid of their logjam at the PG position and get expirings and a starting SG. Bucks... well fail.

OT: Thunder doesn't sound right for OKC, they should have gone with Barons. But that's just me.

Last edited by Elbeen on Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

And Dwight Howard's layup shouldn't have counted at the dunk contest!

There's going to be a power struggle between Williams and LeBron on the offensive end.

Or not.

Danny Ferry continues to execute mediocre deals that will not put the Cavs over the top.

Mo Williams is a nice complementary player, but he isn't a top tier point guard and has the mind set of a SG. I don't see him helping to take any of the pressure off Lebron.

The clock is ticking until Lebron walks out on the Cavs.

I think the Bucks will give some playing time to Sessions, he is a pass first PG like Ridnour.

The Cavs won a lot in the trade but they are not the best team yet in my opinion.

OKC received Desmond Mason... I don't know what to say about him

I like this trade for all teams be btw dude the sonics got joe smith not the buccks. Ridnour is a pass first pg which Williams is not. With scorers like redd nd rj I think he's exactly what the bucKs need

Mo Williams' assist percentage: 30
Luke Ridnour's : 29.5

stats without context are really useful.

Stats without context: 7
Stats with: elephant

Danny Ferry continues to execute mediocre deals that will not put the Cavs over the top.

Mo Williams is a nice complementary player, but he isn't a top tier point guard and has the mind set of a SG. I don't see him helping to take any of the pressure off Lebron.

The clock is ticking until Lebron walks out on the Cavs.

Lol, getting a point guard who averaged 17 points and 6 assists isn't helping Lebron??? Where'd you get that fabulous idea.... And did you even watch the Cavs. The Cavs need a guy who can score next to Lebron and take pressure off him instead of a traditional point guard who sets things up. The offense basically runs through Lebron and that's the most effective play so what's the point of having a set up man when all he's gonna do is give the ball to Lebron. Teams will just zone Bron up. I disagree with you totally and think this is probably one of the better moves the Cavs have made. Now if only they could get rid of Ben Wallace........

I like this trade for all teams be btw dude the sonics got joe smith not the buccks. Ridnour is a pass first pg which Williams is not. With scorers like redd nd rj I think he's exactly what the bucKs need

Mo Williams' assist percentage: 30
Luke Ridnour's : 29.5

stats without context are really useful.

Stats without context: 7
Stats with: elephant

What context do you need? It's a pretty straightforward statistic. I guess you don't understand it.

You're right, I dont.
Therefore, its not a straightforward statistic.

What is the % of? Other passes, shooting, rebounds?

The rest of the teams' baskets while the player is on the floor.

You're right, I dont.
Therefore, its not a straightforward statistic.

What is the % of? Other passes, shooting, rebounds?

It's a very straightforward statistic. Your lack of knowledge of the statistic does not mean it's not straightforward. You understand what it means now after reading benji's definition right? Then it's straightforward.

A straightforward statistic doesn't need an explanation.

Points, rebounds - theyre obvious. Assist % needs an explanation as to what the % is of. You didnt give that, so it was out of context.

Mmmmm.... semantics.

So now that you "have context" do you see how Mo Williams just as "pass first" as Luke Ridnour?

ridnour with bron would have been nice