February 24, 2011
The Los Angeles Clippers today acquired point guard Mo Williams and forward Jamario Moon from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for point guard Baron Davis and a first round pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Williams, who has averaged 13.8 points, 5.0 assists and 3.1 rebounds over his eight-year NBA career, is currently averaging 13.3 points, 7.1 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 36 games played this season. He has notched 10 points-assist double-doubles on the year and has recorded eight games this season in which he has scored 20 or more points.
Mo Williams is a 28 year old All Star whose skill set not only compliments our front court players but is an excellent running mate with Eric Gordon on both ends of the floor, stated Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey. Jamario is an elite athlete that can play multiple positions and will help us improve defensively.
Williams turned in his most productive campaign in 2008-09 when he tallied 17.8 points and 4.1 assists while being named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team. He helped propel the Cavaliers to the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, scoring in double-figures in 13 of 14 playoff games played that season and tallying 20 or more points in four playoff games. In 30 career playoff games played, Williams has averaged 14.1 points and 4.2 assists per game.
Originally selected in the second round (47th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, Williams spent four seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks before being traded to Cleveland on August 13, 2008.
In his fifth NBA season, Moon has averaged 6.7 points and 4.5 rebounds over his career. During the 2010-11 season, Moon has tallied 4.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 19.1 minutes in 40 games played.
Moon was signed by the Cavaliers as a free agent on July 24, 2009 after having spent the 2008-09 season with the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors. As an undrafted rookie with the Raptors in 2007, Moon turned in a productive rookie year, averaging 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds.
On a personal level this was a difficult decision and I will miss Baron but it was the right move for the organization now and for the future, Olshey said.
Originally signed by the Clippers prior to the start of the 2008-09 season, Davis has averaged 16.5 points and 7.3 assists over his career. In 43 games played this season, Davis has tallied 12.8 points and 7.0 assists.