OKLAHOMA CITY, January 5, 2015 – The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired guard Dion Waiters from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Oklahoma City’s protected 2015 first round pick and as part of the transaction, Lance Thomas was sent to the New York Knicks, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today.
Included in the deal, the Knicks acquired forward Lou Amundson and center Alex Kirk from the Cavaliers in exchange for guards Iman Shumpert and JR Smith.
“Dion Waiters is a player that we’ve tracked and liked since his time at Syracuse, in the NBA, and with USA Basketball. Dion provides another proven scorer that positively impacts our roster and adds depth and flexibility,” said Presti. “We have a lot of respect for his toughness and competitiveness, and believe that he is a physical playmaker who will enhance the versatility of our team. We are excited to welcome Dion to Oklahoma City and the Thunder organization.”
Waiters (6-4, 225) was the fourth overall pick out of Syracuse in the 2012 NBA Draft. In two-plus seasons with Cleveland, the guard has averaged 14.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists. The Philadelphia native averaged a career-high 15.9 points per contest during the 2013-14 campaign that followed up his rookie season where he was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team.
The Thunder’s draft pick being conveyed is protected 1-18 in 2015 and 1-15 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Should the pick not convey during this period, Oklahoma City would send the Cavaliers its second round draft picks in 2018 and 2019.
Thomas appeared in 22 games for the Thunder this season and averaged 5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 20.5 minutes.