Cavs trade Jefferson, Felder to Hawks

Oct 14, 2017 - 4:33 PM The Cleveland Cavaliers traded forward Richard Jefferson, guard Kay Felder, two future second-round draft picks and cash considerations to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

In exchange, the Cavs acquired the draft rights to forward Dimitrios Agravanis and guard Sergey Gladyr.

Sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that $3 million is going to Atlanta.

The Hawks later requested waivers on Jefferson and Felder, and they will become free agents after clearing waivers. Jefferson was set to earn $2.5 million this season and Felder $1.3 million.

The trade gets the Cavaliers' roster to 15 ahead of the start of the regular season on Tuesday. The Cavaliers will save $12.8 million in luxury tax by unloading the two contracts, according to ESPN.

"These situations and decisions are some of the toughest to be in and have to make. Certainly, both RJ and Kay are two guys we also wanted to have here with us this season," Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman announced from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

"RJ embodies all of the things you could want in a veteran player and teammate. His consistent success at a very high level over many years is a reflection of the kind of high quality player and person he is. His steady leadership, great attitude, dependability and performance helped us win an NBA championship and we are grateful for all of his contributions on the court and within our locker room. Kay is a young, hard-working, talented player who has the potential for a bright and long future in this league as well. His daily dedication and hard work are going to help him greatly. We thank RJ and Kay and wish them the very best as they move on to the next chapter of their NBA careers."

The two draft picks that Cleveland will send to Atlanta include the lesser of the Los Angeles Lakers' and Minnesota Timberwolves' 2019 second-round picks, and a protected 2020 Portland Trail Blazers' second-rounder.

The Cavs will create two trade exceptions ($2.6 million and $1.4 million) with the trade, and the Cavaliers will have one year to use them, according to ESPN.

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Agravanis has played for Olympiacos in the Greek Basketball League since 2013 and was the 59th overall pick by the Hawks in the 2015 NBA Draft. In 2016-17, he played in 51 total games (nine starts) for Olympiacos in Greece and Euroleague play with averages of 4.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. Over his career, the 22-year-old Agravanis has helped his teams capture the FIBA Intercontinental Cup (2013) and two Greek League titles (2015, 2016).

The 6-5, 190-pound Gladyr was drafted by Atlanta with the 49th overall pick in 2009 and has spent the past two seasons with the French League club AS Monaco Basket. Gladyr, who also participated in the Summer League with the Hawks in 2010 and 2013, averaged 9.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 53 total games (nine starts) for Monaco in the French League, Basketball Champions League and Leaders Cup during the 2016-17 season. He is a two-time Leaders Cup winner (2016, 2017), Leaders Cup MVP (2017) and French Cup winner (2014).

The 6-7, 233-pound Jefferson spent the previous two seasons with the Cavaliers, playing in 153 games (18 starts) with averages of 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per contest. A member of the Cavaliers' 2016 NBA championship team, Jefferson appeared in 35 postseason games for Cleveland and averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds. The 16-year veteran originally signed with the Cavaliers on Aug. 5, 2015.

The 5-9, 176-pound Felder appeared in 42 games for Cleveland in 2016-17, averaging 4.0 points, 1.4 assists and 9.2 minutes. He was the No. 54 pick of the 2016 draft by the Hawks and was acquired by the Cavs on draft night.