NEW YORK -– New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has acquired forward Lou Amundson, center Alex Kirk and a 2019 second-round draft choice from Cleveland and forward Lance Thomas from Oklahoma City as part of a three-team trade.
Guards Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith were sent from New York to Cleveland and guard Dion Waiters from Cleveland to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City also sent Cleveland a future first-round draft choice. In addition, center Samuel Dalembert has been waived.
"As our journey moves through this season, we will search for the type of players that fit the style we hope to exhibit for our fans. Our desire is to improve our ability to compete," Jackson said. "In addition, these transactions improve our flexibility to the current roster and the salary cap for future seasons."
Thomas, 6-8, 225-pounds, averaged 5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds over 20.5 minutes in 22 games (13 starts) for Oklahoma City this season. The Brooklyn, NY-native signed as a free agent with Oklahoma City on Sep. 29, 2014.
Dalembert, 6-11, 255-pounds, averaged 4.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.28 blocks over 17 minutes in 32 games (21 starts) for New York this season. He was originally acquired from Dallas in a multi-player deal on Jun. 25, 2014.
Shumpert, 6-5, 220-pounds, averaged 9.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists over 26.0 minutes in 24 games (all starts) for New York this season. The Oak Park, IL-native, averaged 7.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists over 26.2 minutes in 202 games (162 starts) over four seasons with the Knicks after being selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft.
Smith, 6-6, 225-pounds, averaged 10.9 points, 3.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds over 25.8 minutes in 24 games (six starts) for New York this season. The Freehold, NJ-native averaged 15.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 31.4 minutes in 213 games (44 starts) over four seasons with the Knicks. He originally signed with New York on Feb. 17, 2012 and most recently re-signed on Jul. 11, 2013.