It sounds like a yawner of a deal, but adding point guard Ramon Sessions is exactly the kind of trade the Cavaliers should be making in the post-LeBron James Era.
A determined and skillful penetrator and distributor of the ball, Ramon Sessions was an emerging talent with Milwaukee (here in 2008 driving against New York's Malik Rose and Nate Robinson) before a move to Minnesota stalled his career, says Terry Pluto.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers have traded for a 24-year-old point guard who had some success early in his career, but was trapped in a system that underlined his main weakness while erasing his greatest strength.
Ramon Sessions is exactly the type of player the Cavs should be adding at this stage of their life without LeBron James. That's especially true because the price for Sessions was minimal, in terms of contract ($12 million left over three seasons) and cost in the trade. Delonte West and Sebastian Telfair were shipped to Minnesota, where both are expected to be cut for salary cap purposes.
Meanwhile, Sessions could start, or at least be the Cavaliers' first substitute in the backcourt.
So why is a Minnesota castoff someone the Cavs need?
Because Sessions is the point guard who loves to motor the ball down the court on the fast break. He is very effective in the pick-and-roll, and he has the quickness to drive to the basket.
Minnesota runs the triangle offense, the same used by the Lakers and the Bulls in the Michael Jordan Era. Both teams prefer point guards who can shoot from long range -- Derek Fisher in L.A. while the Bulls had 3-point specialists such as John Paxson, Steve Kerr, Craig Hodges and B.J. Armstrong.
The Cavs' Daniel Gibson would be very productive in the triangle.
But not Sessions, which is why it was strange that Minnesota signed him to a 4-year, $16 million offer sheet last summer. He was a restricted free agent, and Milwaukee refused to match the offer because it was headed to the luxury tax and didn't want the added expense.
Sessions has started 47 games in his pro career, averaging 14.7 points, 8.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 45 percent in 35 minutes per start. With the Bucks in 2008-09, it was 38 starts, 15.2 points, 7.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 45 percent shooting.
When given a chance, he delivers impressive numbers. He is the type of guard that new coach Byron Scott loves, because of his tendency to play in high gear, but not throw the ball all over the gym. He is a terrible 3-point shooter (10-of-56 for his career), but smart enough to know not to shoot often from that range.
The Cavs have a backcourt jammed with guards who love to fire away from long distance -- Anthony Parker, Mo Williams and Gibson. They don't have a pure point guard such as Sessions.
Some Cavs fans were hoping West would make a comeback. Perhaps he will. But he is facing a suspension of several games by the league for his arrest on gun charges. He was late for some team meetings and practices last season, and he missed a few team flights. He is in a major battle with his emotional problems.
While the Cavs opened the doors to lots of professional help for West, he didn't always take advantage of it.
At this point, Sessions is a better bet to consistently produce. He may resemble the Delonte West who showed up with the Cavs in 2007. He had a so-so career on some bad Boston teams, then played little for Seattle -- before joining the Cavs and being significant contributor for 11/2 seasons until he struggled last season.
The Cavs also picked up 7-footer Ryan Hollins in the trade, but he's a backup. This deal is about Sessions, and it could be a very good one for the Cavs.