The Cleveland Cavaliers announced Thursday that they had completed a sign-and-trade for guard Matthew Dellavedova, acquiring the rights to Milwaukee Bucks forward Albert Miralles.
Delly, as he became known, joined the Cavs in 2013.
He became a fan favorite and cult hero during last year's playoff run with the Cavs.
This year he helped the team compete for and ultimately win the title of NBA Champions.
Shortly after Thursday's announcement, the player penned a letter to Cleveland fans.
Read the letter below:
Cleveland,
Thank you for the past three years. The Cavaliers are a great organization and I really want to thank everyone involved for giving me my opportunity, making me feel so welcome. Thank you to all the staff, coaches, and players that I have worked with during my time at Cleveland; I have made lifelong friends. Winning a championship with a special group of players, I can't wait for the first reunion. Thank you to the fans for all the love and support.
When I first moved to Cleveland, people would say "Oh, you're going to Cleveeeland" (in a negative way) - I didn't know anything about Cleveland, I just knew it was going to be colder than Australia and Saint Mary's (California). Those people couldn't have been more wrong. The city is unique and special. Cleveland has grown and changed a lot in my 3 years of living downtown. There are tons of great restaurants, the people are genuine and the passion for sports teams is unreal. All the people that visited me absolutely loved it.
Here are some memories I will never forget. The crowd going crazy and giving a standing ovation when I denied the ball to help force a shot clock violation my rookie year- Anderson Varejao taking me under his wing and showing me the ropes - Seeing the crowd still there and supporting passionately throughout a 33-49 season- Lebron's first game back, The Q was crazy- Getting to play pick and roll with the best player in the world- Throwing lobs to TT- The support and love you showed for me, especially during the playoffs and finals last year- Catan battles with my mate, Joey Harris- The Cavs Australia Day- Team dinners - The way the fans brought even more intensity and energy to drive us when we were down this year in the Finals 0-2 and then 1-3- The arrival back to the airport after winning - and of course the parade, I don't think I can say anything that would do justice to that experience - Hearing local Clevelander's stories of what a championship meant to them and their city as well as where they were and what they were doing during game 7; I feel lucky to have been a part of that experience.
Tough to put into words how I feel about Cleveland and everyone connected to it - just know that I gave everything I could anytime I was out there and I loved every minute of it.
The opportunity I have in Milwaukee is the right move for my career to challenge myself to grow and develop with a young, exciting team.
It is time to move on now but I really can't thank everyone in Cleveland enough for everything. Cleveland will always be a special place for me and a special chapter in my journey.
All the very best,
Delly
