CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Most everything with the Cleveland Cavaliers nowadays is about Collin Sexton -- and draft picks. Let's not forget those.

Hence the deal with the Milwaukee Bucks late Friday night.

The full trade included three teams, five players and four total picks, including the two the Cavs netted from Milwaukee.

But it really boils down to chairman Dan Gilbert's willingness to take on extra salary now for the team's future benefit while also trying to keep Sexton, the 2018 eighth-overall pick, in the best situation to blossom into a franchise building block.

On the one hand, the Cavs sent away Sexton's mentor George Hill. He went to the Bucks in Friday's emotional trade and that loss will sting initially.

"We lost George. He was my vet," Sexton said of Hill. "He helped me the most just like preparing for the game and how I should come into the game, pretty much like knowing the other team's scouting report and knowing what they are going to do, making sure that you go out there and execute. He's just a great guy to talk to and lean on since Day One. He helped me in that starting role. Big influence on me."

But the Cavs brought in Matthew Dellavedova, who will take on that same leadership role as he pushes Sexton every day in practice -- the same way Dellavedova did Kyrie Irving.

No, Delly doesn't deserve full credit for Irving becoming one of the league's most venomous offensive players. Irving was oozing with talent when he arrived in 2011 and was already on his way to becoming All-Star by the time Dellavedova joined the Cavs. But the legendary and heated practice sessions challenged Irving. There's little doubt that he benefited greatly from dealing with pesky Dellavedova each day.

Tristan Thompson was around for those tussles, playing peacemaker nearly every day. The rivalry started in a summer pick-up game, carried over into training camp when Dellavedova was scrapping to make the team and then grew from there.

Irving hated Dellavedova. It was never personal. Just two competitors going at it. Eventually that level of competition brought out the best in both. They even built a tight bond.

The Cavs are hoping history repeats with tenacious Dellavedova and Sexton, who teammates already say goes just as hard at practice as he does on game day.

"Pick up 94 feet. He will be good for Collin on the days that we do practice, he will be good for Collin because of the way he plays, how scrappy he is," Thompson said of Dellavedova. "When he gets in, it's those kinds of plays that he makes, it's momentum swings and high energy so we will definitely embrace that."

The trade with Milwaukee wasn't as much about Dellavedova or John Henson. For the Cavs, it was about that coveted first-round pick that comes with protections.

The Bucks wanted to move move money, gaining financial flexibility in their quest to surround star Giannis Antetokounmpo with the pieces to compete for a title. That opened up the possibility for Cleveland to land an asset for its rebuild -- another important trade chip if the Cavs eventually go star-hunting or a valuable selection to eventually add another promising piece to this growing nucleus.

But don't think Dellavedova's inclusion was an accident.

"Delly will be great for Collin," one member of the front office told cleveland.com before the trade was made official.

Recently, head coach Larry Drew has been experimenting with Sexton off the ball. Having Dellavedova will allow that to continue if wanted.

A true point guard, Dellavedova can run with the starters alongside Sexton or can anchor the second unit, offering a more reliable backup ball-handler while keeping some of that pressure off their rising rookie.

Sexton doesn't know Dellavedova. He's only heard stories. Part of the message being delivered to the teenager on Friday night was about how delightful Dellavedova can be and the importance of bringing him into the locker room. As Drew said recently, this organizational shift is a test of character. It's not for everyone. They believe Dellavedova can help them through it.

The other part of the message for Sexton was simple: Be ready.

Dellavedova has built a reputation as a high-energy nuisance, one who challenges opponents with non-stop effort. He does the same with his own teammates.

"Oh, yeah I can't wait," Sexton said. "They say he practices hard, too. Going to have some battles. We will see what's up."