Cavs ship Williams, Moon to Clippers for Davis, pick

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CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers have reached a deal on the NBA's final day to make a trade. And if you're a fan of the team, this one will likely make you smile.

According to multiple reports and sources, the Cavs will send guard Mo Williams and forward Jamario Moon to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Baron Davis and a 2011 first-round pick. One source close to the situation told FOXSportsOhio.com the trade was merely awaiting approval from the NBA as of early Thursday morning.

Teams have until 3 p.m. ET Thursday to complete trades.

This one will likely give the Cavs two lottery picks -- their own and that of the Clippers, provided the Clippers don't finish strong and make the playoffs. Based on records alone, the Cavs would possess the Nos. 1 and 8 picks in the draft if the season ended today. They also still possess their valuable $14.5 million trade exception.

The key to the deal, according to sources, was the Cavs' willingness to take on Davis' contract. He is due to make around $13.8 million next season and $14.8 million in 2012-13.

The deal was first reported by NBA.com and Yahoo! Sports.

Davis fell out of favor with Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who reportedly taunted Davis from the stands early in the season. Apparently, Sterling was disappointed with the underperforming point guard, who showed up to training camp overweight.

The Clippers are also reportedly so unimpressed with the upcoming draft class that they didn't mind surrendering the draft pick to rid themselves of Davis.

Davis turns 32 in April, and despite the injury issues and inconsistencies of recent seasons, the Cavs were willing to absorb his contract to obtain another first-rounder. He is averaging 12.8 points and 7.0 assists in 43 games this season.

Meanwhile, the 28-year old Williams has played in 36 games and is scoring 13.3 points per with 7.1 assists. He too has suffered an assortment of injuries this season and given mostly uneven performances.

Williams is owed $8.5 million in each of the next two seasons. Both years consist of player options that would allow him to become a free agent.

Neither Davis nor Williams played Wednesday night. Davis sat out the Clippers' loss to New Orleans with swelling in his left knee, and Williams missed the Cavs' loss to Houston with a sprained right ankle.

Moon, 30, is averaging 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds, and lost his starting small forward spot to rookie swingman Christian Eyenga.

The trade is the first major one for Cavs first-year general manager Chris Grant, who replaced Danny <nobr style="color: rgb(238, 17, 17);">Ferry
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this past summer. Earlier in the week, Grant scheduled a Thursday afternoon news conference to discuss the team's moves.

Multiple sources said the Cavs might also still deal guard Anthony <nobr style="color: rgb(238, 17, 17);">Parker
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before the deadline, although none of the sources were certain where Parker would go or what he might bring in return.

Davis played for Cavs coach Byron Scott during the 2004-05 season in New Orleans, before the Hornets traded him to Golden State after 18 games.
 

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