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NBA Trade Deadline 2019: The 30-team mega-deal that solves nothing and makes everyone mad

By Ian Levy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game at Wells Fargo Center on January 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thunder defeated the Sixers 117-115. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game at Wells Fargo Center on January 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thunder defeated the Sixers 117-115. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 07: Guerschon Yabusele #30 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during a game against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden on January 7, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 07: Guerschon Yabusele #30 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during a game against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden on January 7, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Cavaliers

Sending out: J.R. Smith (PHI)

Bringing in: Brandon Knight (HOU), Guerschon Yabusele (BOS)

The Cavaliers need a lot of help and would probably like to shed a lot more vestiges of the LeBron era than just J.R. Smith. This deal adds some salary to their books — Knight’s and Smith’s salaries for next season are similar, but Smith’s is only partially guaranteed — but they’re years away from the point where they can worry about dead salary. Knight has barely played for the Rockets this season and still isn’t healthy. But there’s still a small chance he can get back to what he was — a somewhat useful backcourt scorer. If not, he’s gone at the end of next year.

Yabusele is the interesting piece here. He played well for the Maine Red Claws last season but has struggled to break into Boston’s deep rotation. Last season’s G League campaign hinted at his potential though — 20.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 36.4 percent on 3-pointers. He’s still raw but could be a versatile and useful rotation player and the Cavaliers have the time to take a flier on him while they slowly add pieces elsewhere.

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