Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 12:00am

JAMISON TO CLEVELAND IN A THREE-TEAM DEAL

In a 3-team trade, Cleveland Cavaliers traded Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Emir Preldzic and a 2010 1st round draft pick to the Washington Wizards; the Los Angeles Clippers traded Sebastian Telfair to the Cleveland Cavaliers; the Los Angeles Clippers traded Al Thornton to the Washington Wizards; the Washington Wizards traded Antawn Jamison to the Cleveland Cavaliers; and the Washington Wizards traded Drew Gooden to the Los Angeles Clippers.

What does it give the Washington Wizards
For the rebuilding Wiz this was obviously a financial move. They not only dispense of the Jamison's big long-term deal (which has two more years on it after this one) but they add an expiring contract in Ilgauskas (one that frees up cash for off-season free agents) and a solid prospect in Thornton (whose much smaller deal is also expiring). They will miss Jamison, but the earlier trade of Caron Butler signalled this team is in rebuilding mode. Getting a quality draft pick and a good prospect in Preldzic will help a lot in that regard.

What does it give the Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers move salary here by getting involved in this deal, dropping Thornton and Telfair's modest expiring deals and possibly waiving Gooden (whose contract will also be up this summer, and may or may not want to play for the Clips) once the deal is complete.

What does it give the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are adding a big contract here in Jamison, one with two more seasons on it. So clearly this is a commitment by the Cavs, who are not only trying to win a title this season but are also trying to keep superstar (and impending free agent) LeBron James around after this season. They give up a solid prospect in Preldzic (who was drafted in 2009) and a first-rounder to add a lot of salary, but it all adds up to more stability and competitiveness for Cleveland. Jamison will add star power to the power forward spot (with J.J. Hickson headed to the bench). We'll see whether Ilgauskas ends up in Washington or not (considering his age and contract) or if he is released and re-signed somewhere else. Telfair is injured and not expected to play much even when healthy.

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