The talk of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Monday was a three-team, six-player trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder.

As part of the deal, the Knicks will be sending guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cavs, while Cleveland ships off guard Dion Waiters to the Thunder as well as forward Lou Amundson and center Alex Kirk to the Knicks. Additionally, the Thunder is sending forward Lance Thomas to the Knicks and a first round draft pick to Cleveland.

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The Cavs have huge expectations to compete for a title following the acquisitions of LeBron James and Kevin Love, but the team has been struggling defensively with a 19-16 record and find themselves fifth among the watered-down Eastern Conference.

LeBron, who's out from playing games for at least another week due to knee and back strains, has voiced that he needs help around the perimeter, and this trade certainly addresses that need while adding depth to the backcourt.

Shumpert is high-level defender and very versatile, as he's able to guard the point-guard, shooting-guard and some small-forwards. Although Smith's efficiency has dropped, he's a scorer and was the Sixth Man of the Year just two seasons ago.

For the abysmal 5-32 Knicks, the trade was simply a salary dump to free up future cap space. Smith and Shumpert evidently weren't in the long-term plans of Knicks' president Phil Jackson. The trade essentially saves the Knicks from having to spend $20 million on salary and the luxury tax while translating to a total of $35 million worth in cap space next summer.

The Thunder, who's been plagued with injuries early this season, is 10^th among the Western Conference with a 17-17 record and was desperate to add a scorer in Dion Waiters to the lineup. The team won't miss Lance Thomas too much as the forward received limited minutes with Oklahoma City.

Waiters' affordable rookie contract is still running through next season, and while the 6'4 guard's scoring efficiency is down with Cleveland this season, he's certainly a capable scorer and will provide the Thunder with much needed depth to its bench. 

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, cavaliers, Knicks, three-team deal