Matthew Dellavedova to Bucks: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

The Cleveland Cavaliers announced in a press release they agreed to a sign-and-trade deal on Thursday that sent restricted free-agent point guard Matthew Dellavedova to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for a $4.8 million trade exception and the rights to forward Albert Miralles. 

"We wish Delly the best as he continues his career in Milwaukee," Cavs general manager David Griffin said in the release. "Delly is a special person on and off the court and was a very dedicated, hard worker that grew as part of our team and made significant contributions to our success. Our coaches and his teammates will always appreciate his 'all-in' approach to the game, as he was ready to contribute whenever his number was called."

Cleveland.com's Chris Haynes reported on Monday that the Cavaliers didn't plan to match the Bucks' four-year, $38.5 million offer sheet for Dellavedova. However, the sign-and-trade agreement is key because it will reportedly allow the Cavaliers to absorb Mike Dunleavy into the new $4.8 million trade exception when they complete a deal with the Chicago Bulls, per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin. 

ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst noted the move didn't cost the Cavaliers much in the way of future financial flexibility: 

Dellavedova isn't going to bring much to the Bucks in the way of off-the-bounce playmaking, but that's not to say he can't make an impact on offense. 

Last season, the Australian floor general averaged a career-high 7.5 points while shooting 40.5 percent from the field and an impressive 41 percent from three. The 25-year-old was at his best in catch-and-shoot situations, as he benefited from the attention defenses paid to LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, as True Hoop's Jeremy Schmidt noted: 

All told, Dellavedova knocked down 46.3 percent of his catch-and-shoot attempts from beyond the arc last season, per NBA.com. Conversely, he made a meager 30.3 percent of his triples that came via pull-up attempts. 

Dellavedova also ranked in the 95.6th percentile as a spot-up shooter, generating a stellar 1.24 points per possession on such plays, per NBA.com. 

Credit: NBA.com/Stats

But most of all, Dellavedova brings value as a fiery on-ball defender who doesn't shy away from matchups against some of the league's premier backcourt scorers.

During the 2015-16 season, the Cavaliers posted a defensive rating of 99.7 when he was on the floor, which compared favorably to a mark of 104.5 when he sat.

And since the Bucks already ranked No. 2 overall in opponents' point guard scoring last season, per HoopsStats.com, the addition of Dellavedova should help take some pressure off of Michael Carter-Williams and Tyler Ennis on that end of the floor. 

As for the Cavaliers, they could still opt to sign a cheaper backup point guard on the open market. However, they likely won't find another player who can match Dellavedova's defensive intensity and catch-and-shoot capabilities. 

Should the team opt to stick with its current personnel, veteran Mo Williams and 2016 second-round pick Kay Felder project as the next men up behind Irving.   

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com unless noted otherwise.