A mega three-team trade dominates the gossip for today.

J.R. SMITH, IMAN SHUMPERT GO TO CLEVELAND, 3-MAN TRADE

None of us saw this coming.

A three-team trade has seen Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dion Waiters move to the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks’ J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert head over to Cleveland and the Knicks possibly using this season to tank and bag a solid draft pick.

Via Yahoo! Sports:

The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached an agreement in principle to acquire New York Knicks guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert in a multi-team trade that also sends guard Dion Waiters to the Oklahoma City Thunder, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Several less prominent players, including the Cavaliers’ Alex Kirk and Lou Amundson and the Thunder’s Lance Thomas, could be included in the deal.

The Knicks are expected to be come out of the deal with a future draft pick, sources said. The details of the trade are still fluid, but a trade call with the league is expected to take place later Monday night after the Cavaliers’, Knicks’ and Thunder’s games, sources said.

CAVS CONSULTED WITH JAMES REGARDING SMITH TRADE

Cleveland Cavaliers kept LeBron James in the loop regarding the blockbuster trade. And James seemed happy with it.

Too late now, the deed is done.

Via ESPN:

Team officials spoke with LeBron James about his willingness to play alongside Smith before executing the deal, sources said.

“We wish Dion the best as he continues his career with the Thunder and thank him for his effort and work here with the Cavaliers,” Cavs general manager David Griffin told reporters Monday night. “Dion is a talented player with potential ahead of him. Trades like this are always difficult to make because there are relationships and bonds built, and that was the case with Dion. […] At the same time, we’re very excited to welcome Iman and J.R. to Cleveland. With their size and versatility, we think both Iman and J.R. can help our team on both ends of the court, and we look forward to them joining us.”

The Thunder, who used a trade exception to execute the deal, gain the offensively talented Waiters, who had struggled to fit at times over the past two-plus seasons. With Waiters, the Thunder are adding some scoring off the bench and providing insurance for Reggie Jackson, their standout guard who is in the final year of his contract.

DIRK PASSES MALONE, GOES TO NO.7

Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki didn’t last too long at number 8 on the NBA all-time scoring list.

With 35.8 seconds left in overtime, Nowitzki hit a clutch three-pointer in Dallas’ 96-88 win over the Brooklyn Nets and with that, passed Moses Malone into seventh place with 27,412 points.

Via ESPN:

“Yeah, it’s been insane, crazy ride in Year No. 17, and Moses was obviously an unbelievable player,” said Nowitzki, who totaled 15 points on the night. “So it has been a humbling experience to pass all these all-time greats. It’s a tribute to obviously the hard work, but all the great coaches and teammates that have gotten me to this point, and obviously staying healthy is a big part. I am proud of it, but I am more proud that we got the win.”

Nowitzki, 36, went into the game needing 13 points to surpass Malone, who finished his career with 27,409 points. Shaquille O’Neal is in sixth place on the league’s all-time scoring list with 28,596 points.

“You couldn’t have a more fitting way for Dirk to pass Moses for seventh on the all-time scoring list,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “It’s unbelievable.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHTc9HAoJN8