CLEVELAND, OH - March 15, 2012 - The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired the Los Angeles Lakers’ first round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft (lottery-protected) and forwards Jason Kapono and Luke Walton from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions and guard/forward Christian Eyenga. Additionally, the Cavaliers received the right to swap their least favorable first round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft with the Lakers (Please note: the Cavaliers currently own their own first round pick and Miami’s) and cash considerations.
“We want to thank Ramon and Christian for their hard work and contributions here. Ramon is a true pro and approached his job in a way that showed that every day. Christian grew a great deal during his time here and worked very hard on his game. We wish both of them the very best,” said Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant. “Our primary focus continues to center on building this team with our young core and, most importantly, through the draft as we develop a very talented group that can play and succeed together for many years to come.”
Kapono, 31, is averaging 2.0 points on .382 shooting and 0.5 rebounds in 9.9 minutes per game in 27 games this season. He was originally drafted by the Cavaliers in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft (31st overall). He has career averages of 6.7 points on .442 shooting and 1.7 rebounds in 509 games (87 starts).
Walton, also 31, is averaging 1.3 points on .429 shooting and 1.6 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game in nine games during the 2011-12 season. Also an eight-year veteran drafted in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft (32nd overall), Walton has career averages of 4.9 points on .433 shooting, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 17.3 minutes per game in 493 games (138 starts).
Sessions is averaging 10.5 points on .398 shooting, 3.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 41 games (four starts) in 24.5 minutes per game. In 122 games with the Cavaliers, he averaged 12.3 points on .445 shooting, 3.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 25.7 minutes per game.
Eyenga has appeared in six games this season and totaled nine points and 12 rebounds in 83 minutes. Drafted with the 30th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-7 guard/forward from Congo averaged 6.2 points on .409 shooting and 2.7 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game in 50 games (18 starts) in two seasons with the Cavaliers.