CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman got an early start on NBA trade deadline day making one deal, but then he stood pat.
The Cavs sent backup center JaVale McGee to the Denver Nuggets for center Isaiah Hartenstein and two future second round picks in 2023 and 2027 that are protected according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The trade has not been announced.
“He’s the consummate pro and not just with the stuff he does on the court,” Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of McGee on a Zoom call Thursday afternoon. “The way he embraced the fan base. The way he embraced his teammates. For a guy coming from championship runs to our situation, it was unique that he was able to take that type of role and we appreciate it for sure.”
Center Andre Drummond, who hasn’t played since February 12 following a mutual agreement to sit him, was on the trading block and will be bought out because he was not moved before the 3 p.m. eastern deadline.
Cedi Osman and Larry Nance Jr. have also been mentioned in trade rumors but they were not traded either.
Bickerstaff and his players are relieved the trade deadline has passed and they can return their focus to the remainder of the season.
“I think we’re very fortunate that we have a bunch of guys that want to be in Cleveland,” Bickerstaff said. “When you’re going through that and you’re hearing your name in rumors, it’s difficult to see the flattery in that, but it means that people want you and that you are a valued player in this league but at the same time there’s so much that you have to give up when you are traded.
“The trade deadline for 80% of our league is an extremely difficult time. There’s a few guys in this league that are untouchable. Other than that, teams take the best deal. So I understand guys dealing with the emotion, uprooting you family, uprooting yourself, going somewhere new that you don’t know.
“I’m glad it’s over with. We can move forward and hopefully we can band together knowing this is the group that we’re going to have moving forward.”