CLEVELAND (AP) — J.J. Hickson’s athleticism
and potential made him a budding NBA star. His inconsistency made him maddening
and expendable.On Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers decided it was time to move
on without him.Clearing out a logjam at power forward, they traded the
enigmatic Hickson to the Sacramento Kings for forward Omri Casspi Cheap England Football Shirts and a future first-round pick.
Hickson spent three mostly productive
seasons in Cleveland, but his days were numbered
when the club drafted Texas
forward Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 overall pick last week. Hickson World Cup Soccer Kit was part of the Cavs’ core when they won more than 60
regular-season games in consecutive seasons and pushed deep into the
playoffs.And although he may have been Cleveland’s
most talented player, a tendency to disappear in games and an overall lack of
intensity — especially rebounding — frustrated Cavaliers coach Byron Scott last
season. Scott was hard and demanded more of Hickson, who finally picked up his
game and averaged 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds.But with Thompson, Antawn
Jamison and Samardo Samuels at power forward, someone had to go and it was
Hickson, drafted by the Cavs with the No. 19 overall pick in 2008.”I’m kind of
glad it’s over with so my name is not involved in so many trade rumors,” Hickson
said. “I think the Kings did a good job in picking up a young athletic big that
is going to give his all and give it 110 percent.”Jamison was stunned the Cavs
would deal the 22-year-old Hickson.”He’s a great talent,” Jamison said at an
appearance in North France Football Teams Shirt Carolina.
“Hopefully this move will be what he needs to take things to the next level,
but it was definitely surprising. It was a logjam (at power forward). With who
we took with the fourth pick, that created it. (Hickson) has such of an upside.
I guess I was really a big fan of him. I thought he was going to be one of
those guys who actually got it. They wanted to go in a different route.”The
Cavs were also seeking a young, wing player to pair with Thompson and No. 1
overall pick Kyrie Irving and they believe they’ve gotten one in the
23-year-old Casspi, a player they considered drafting when he first made
himself available several years ago.
“We like Casspi,” said Cavs general manager
Chris Grant, who wouldn’t say if he expects Casspi France
Shirt to start immediately. “He’s a tough,
athletic, 6-foot-9 kid. He’s got a nastiness and fight about him.”Grant was
quick to point out that Casspi, who played two seasons with the Kings, made 47
percent of his 3-point tries from the corner, another weapon for Scott and a target
for Irving.