Matthew Dellavedova didn’t sign his one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers until the 27th day of the offseason a year ago. This season, Dellavedova expeditiously agreed upon a four-year, $38 million offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Cavaliers will have three days to match after Dellavedova signs the deal when the moratorium is lifted, but LeBron James bidding him adieu graciously on Twitter signaled the small likelihood of him staying for their repeat run.

The Bucks were expected to pursue Dellavedova in free agency after scouting him extensively throughout the playoffs and he fits in perfectly with the Giannis Antetokounmpo as de facto point guard experiment. There is some concern with how well Dellavedova will function outside the LeBron James’ ecosystem, but playing beside Antetokounmpo will be a captivating new adventure in its own right.

Dellavedova can shoot three-pointers, making him impactful off the ball despite his general limitations and frequent awkwardness. Dellavedova scored 1.24 points per possession on spot-up shots, which ranked 10th in the NBA. Dellavedova has shot better than 40 percent on three-pointers in each of the past two seasons on 167 attempts and 239 attempts.

Cleveland’s lineup of Dellavedova, Iman Shumpert, LeBron, Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye had a net rating of +36.1 over 77 minutes during the playoffs. During the regular season, the Cavaliers were 3.0 points per 100 possessions better with Dellavedova on offense and 4.8 points per 100 better on defense.

Dellavedova ranked 18th in Real Plus Minus amongst point guards, which was better than other free agents at the position such as Rajon Rondo and Deron Williams, as well as even teammate Kyrie Irving.

Dellavedova is an uncomfortable defender for most opposing point guards to go up against. He's in the NBA for his dogged hustle and for walking the fine line between normal aggressive play and dirty play. At 6'4 with good strength, Dellavedova can slide between 1's and 2's and will fit in Milwaukee's switching scheme on defense.

The contract dollars are substantial but well below market for a starter. Depending on what happens with Michael Carter-Williams who could be dealt and is unlikely to be extended, Dellavedova could either start or be the first guard off the bench. Dellavedova has the type of game to complement all of their ball dominant players while giving Milwaukee an upgrade at defense compared to Jerryd Bayless and O.J. Mayo in the role last season. 

Milwaukee already has Khris Middleton on a large deal and will likely extend Giannis this offseason and Jabari Parker the next, so signing Dellavedova gives them one area of savings relative to the normal cost of a starting point guard. 

Grade for Bucks: A- 

Playing for a perennial title contender is a special experience and not easy to walk away from, but there is no way for even Cleveland to justify paying an annual average of nearly $10 million for Dellavedova. Before the start of next season, Dellavedova will turn 26 and he’s made virtually minimum level money over his first three NBA seasons. Taking a four-year deal while going to a team that will play to his strengths and has one of the NBA’s most intriguing cores was an easy decision for Dellavedova. Praise be to LeBron for getting another guy paid.

Grade for Matthew Dellavedova: A 

The Cavaliers have no conceivable way of replacing him other than re-signing Mo Williams, but they also only gave him 12.1 minutes per game in the playoffs and that dropped even more dramatically in The Finals. The regular season will be a more precarious proposition without Dellavedova taking minutes, especially since Irving has always been injury prone, but title teams always have to make hard financial decisions somewhere.

In hindsight, the Cavaliers should have been more aggressive with their offer last season and instead have what looks like the dead money of Iman Shumpert for three more seasons while also needing to re-sign J.R. Smith. A multi-year deal in 2015 for Dellavedova could have allowed Cleveland to keep him at a manageable number.

Grade for Cavaliers: D+