When the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Mike Dunleavy Jr., Mo Williams and a first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Kyle Korver, it was more or less assumed that the Cavs had simply matched Korver’s $5.2 million salary with the combined salaries of Dunleavy Jr. ($4.8 million) and Williams ($2.1).
The trade, which is still unbelievable (even to Korver), was seen as a major coup for the Cavs. Not only had the Cavs acquired one of the best shooters in NBA history but they managed to keep their $9.6 million traded player exception intact. The amount of the exception was so high that it would allow the Cavs to add a player like Deron Williams or Rajon Rondo, talented players that aren’t part of the team’s long-term future (for whatever reason), via trade.