Cavs deal Mo Williams and Jamario Moon to Clippers for Baron Davis, first round pick

CLEVELAND - The Cavs have agreed in principle to send Mo Williams and Jamario Moon to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Baron Davis and the 2011 first-round pick, Cavs General Manager Chris Grant confirmed Thursday afternoon. 

By agreeing to the trade, the Cavs could potentially have two top-10 picks this year because the Clippers are also likely to be a lottery team. The pick is unprotected, meaning the Cavs get it regardless of where it is, and the Clippers currently have the seventh worst record in the NBA.

The potential for two top-10 picks was the key part of the trade for the Cavs, but Grant stressed the excitement about bringing Davis to Cleveland.

"We're excited about this move," Grant said. "We feel good about it. We're excited about Baron."

Williams reacted on Twitter to the trade Thursday morning, tweeting, "I wanna say thank you to all Cavs fans. It's been great. We've had some really good yrs and memories. I will never forget u guys."

He also tweeted a message to Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, saying, "I love u man."

Dealing Davis to the Cavs was an opportunity to for the Clippers to clear salary cap space, as he is owed $28 million over the next two seasons. Williams’ contract expires at the end of this season, but he has a player option of $8.5 million for each of next two seasons. Moon’s contact expires at the end of this season.

Williams’ production has taken a hit this season, as his scoring numbers are at their lowest level in five years and he has struggled to get on the floor because of a nagging hip injury. He is averaging 7.1 assists per game, which is a career high.

The production from the 31-year-old Davis has also been in decline in recent seasons, after he joined the Clippers in 2008. He is averaging 12.8 points per game, which is his lowest total since his rookie season in 1999.

But even if Davis' output has been on the decline, the potential for two high first-round picks in this draft was appealing enough to the Cavs.

Davis played under Cavs coach Byron Scott in New Orleans, but was traded after falling out-of-favor with Scott. That relationship has since been repaired, and Grant said they do not have concerns about the relationship between Scott and Davis.

"No concern," Grant said. "Byron and I have talked about this throughout the process. Byron is totally on board."