Fansided

Richard Jefferson and Kay Felder headed to Atlanta

By Luke Goodman

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 6: Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays defense during the preseason game against the Indiana Pacers on October 6, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 6: Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays defense during the preseason game against the Indiana Pacers on October 6, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Reports came out Friday evening that Cleveland is trading Richard Jefferson and Kay Felder to the Atlanta Hawks.

As teams look to finalize their rosters before the start of the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers had some tough decisions to make. With 16 guaranteed contracts on the books, Cleveland was hoping to find a trade partner to unload a contract without taking the hit to the salary cap. It seems they found that partner, as reports came out Friday evening that the Cavaliers will be trading Richard Jefferson and Kay Felder to Atlanta.

Jefferson was an important member of the 2016 championship team and the co-host of the popular Road Trippin’ Podcast alongside Channing Frye. As he’s gotten older and the Cavaliers have improved their roster, it was clear there were no spots for Jefferson in the rotation any more, and therefore he was the one to get the boot. While his impact on the court was minimal, his locker room presence will be sorely missed.

Kay Felder, Cleveland’s second-round pick in the 2016 NBA draft, will also be included in the deal. Felder stands at just 5-foot-9, which hampers his ability to produce at an NBA level, but he hoped to learn all he could from Isaiah Thomas, who’s found success while being listed at the same height.

According to Sam Amick, Cleveland is sending Jefferson, Felder, and two second round picks for the rights to overseas players Dimitrios Agravanis and Sergii Gladyr. This move saves the Cavaliers over $14 million in luxury tax fees.

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Jefferson and may not have been a huge assets to have on the court, but as a team that has added many new assets over this past offseason, he was looked to to provide as much continuity as possible. The effect that his departure will have on the fans and the locker room will be felt.

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