Jan 13, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Sam Dekker (7) dunks the ball in the first half of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
August 5, 2018
The Los Angeles Clippers are in talks to finalize a trade of forward Sam Dekker to the Cleveland Cavaliers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday.
Per the report, the Clippers hope to open a spot on the roster while shipping out Dekker, a 24-year-old who has played in limited minutes in his first three NBA seasons.
Although no trade was official yet, the negotiations are clearly far enough along for Dekker to react on social media on Sunday, as he jokingly called out possible teammate and Cavaliers forward Larry Nance, Jr.
“Excited to get out the #TheLand and play with the dirtiest dude in the league,” Dekker posted on Twitter. “But for real, couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity. I’m more than ready.”
Originally chosen by the Houston Rockets in the first round (No. 18 overall) in the 2015 draft, Dekker played two seasons in Houston before being dealt last summer as part of the blockbuster Chris Paul trade from the Clippers to the Rockets. Last season in Los Angeles, Dekker’s production dropped a bit as he received fewer minutes (12.1 per game in 2017-18 compared to 18.4 the year before in Houston) as he averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
In his three-year career, Dekker has averaged 5.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 153 games.
–Field Level Media
