Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play in the NBA, has been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Sacramento Kings sent Casspi, 23, and a 2012 first-round draft pick to the Cavs in exchange for power forward J.J. Hickson in a deal announced June 30.

Casspi, a favorite of Jewish fans across the country, had expressed a desire to be traded because he believed he was not getting enough playing time. Both 6-foot-9-inch forwards were No. 1 draft picks by their original teams: Casspi in 2009 and Hickson the previous year out of North Carolina State. In the 2010-11 season, Casspi averaged 8.6 points and 4.3 rebounds playing 24 minutes a game, mostly as a reserve. His playing time diminished as the season progressed.

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Casspi is training to play with the Israeli national team in the European basketball championships in August.