According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Los Angles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed upon a deal that would send PG Ramon Sessions and SF Christian Eyenga to the Lakers in exchange for a 2012 (Lottery Protected) first round draft pick, SF Jason Kapono, and SF Luke Walton. According to Larry Coon (NBA Contracts/Finance Expert), Walton’s contract includes a “trade kicker” that will ‘net’ the SF a healthy bonus as a result of being included in the deal:
$5.68M this year, $5.8M next year, 7.5% trade bonus.
Just prior to the season, the Los Angeles Lakers shocked the basketball world with their attempted deal for (then) New Orleans PG Chris Paul. David Stern’s “basketball reasons” happened, and the Lakers were left with disgruntled big men, a demoralized fan-base, and without a viable alternative to address the ‘vacancy’ at the point guard position. While the Dwight Howard Saga held several teams (including the Lakers) at bay, Mitch Kupchak has, yet again, flexed his masterful GM-muscle with this deal for 6’3″ Ramon Sessions and 6’7″ Christian Eyenga.
While Eyenga is a raw and unpolished/unproven athlete only known for this play, Sessions is a proven back-up point guard that has always played well when given starter’s minutes. As a starter, this season, Sessions is averaging 17.8 points, 11 assists shooting 46 percent field goals and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc.
On the year, Sessions is shooting 42 percent from the 3-point line, and is an 83 percent ft shooter. Beyond scoring ability, Sessions also adds the ability to penetrate the lane and find ‘shooters’ in their natural rhythm, which the Lakers haven’t had in years. While Sessions’ on-ball defense isn’t what he’s known for, he should have a much better chance at defending the smaller guards.