NBA

Knicks included in Lakers-Cavaliers trade for Rajon Rondo, acquiring Denzel Valentine

Written by Doug Rush

Knicks included in Lakers-Cavaliers trade for Rajon Rondo, acquiring Denzel Valentine

There is a new wrinkle in the trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers trade that sent Rajon Rondo to Cleveland.

Denzel Valentine was initially supposed to be headed to the Lakers, who would then waive him to open up a roster spot. However, Valentine is now being traded in the deal to the New York Knicks.

So the Lakers still get the open roster spot and don’t have to take on Valentine in the trade. The Cavaliers still get Rondo, which was the original purpose in the deal.

And the Knicks now have to decide if they want Valentine or if they will waive him like the Lakers intended to do.

About the author

Doug Rush

Doug Rush is entering his 18th season as a writer. His career dates back to when he was with The Asbury Park Press covering high school football, The Harlem Globetrotters and The Lakewood Blueclaws.


In 2009, he joined Bleacher Report, covering the New York Yankees and New York Giants, amassing over 2 million reader views.


After 2013, he left B/R to join Sports Media 101 to cover the Yankees and Giants. While with Sports Media 101, Rush was named to the Pro Football Writers Association of America. He was there until July of 2016.

In January of 2018, Rush joined USA Today as part of the Giants Wire staff to cover the Giants. He is still currently with them, as he does weekly analysis for them during the season.


In September of 2021, Rush joined Pro Sports Extra, where he will be covering MLB, the NFL, NBA, WWE and AEW.


Doug is from Toms River, New Jersey where he has two children, Carson and Peyton.