The NBA trade window is shut and now it is time to sum up the results. Three outstanding backcourt players are leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to give some space for the newcomers. A courageous move by the front office is set to completely change the team’s style of play by building the roster with an eye towards the future. Despite having no guarantees of its success, this large-scale renovation is crucial for the team’s further progress.
The reasons for such a serious team modification were the drowsiness and low spirit of the previous squad. The team lacked inside culture and unity among the players. Thus, the team’s management decided to go all-in and to start from the beginning instead of wasting their time trying to fix the heavily discordant group of people.
The first and the most important part of the Cavaliers metamorphosis is the departure of Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Rose, and Dwyane Wade from the team. Despite their personal basketball skills being more than just good, these prominent basketballers were part of Cleveland’s defense problem. To solve this issue, the front office decided to replace the above-mentioned players.
In a three-way trade between Cleveland, Sacramento, and Utah, the Cavaliers managed to get Jazz guard Rodney Hood and Kings point guard George Hill. However, according to stakers.com, to get their hands on those players, the Cavs had to give away Iman Shumpert, forward Jae Crowder, and Derrick Rose in exchange. Although the loss of Crowder is disappointing, they still have Jeff Greene, who is not inferior to him. Also, Cedi Osman, the rookie, is ready for more game time. After weighing all pros and cons of the trade, everything seems to get better, at least on paper.
Another replenishment to the team comes from Los Angeles Lakers in the face of Larry Nance. To get the Lakers forward, the Cavs had to give up Isaiah Thomas and Channing Fry, and the protected pick of the draft’s first round.
Here are the statistics of the Cavaliers’ newcomers, from Stakers:
Hood - 39 games for Utah, 16.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists.
Hill - 43 games for Sacramento, 10.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.7 rebounds.
Jordan Clarkson - 53 games for Lakers, - 14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists.
Nance – 42 games for Lakers, 8.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals.
The Cavaliers still have some time to integrate the newbies into the team and to prepare them for Kevin Love’s return as soon as he recovers from his injury. Despite the new lineup being very promising, it’s still unlikely that Hood, Hill, Clarkson and Nance will save the current season for Cleveland, especially considering, that both, Hill and Hood, are also prone to trauma. However, the picture is way better for Cleveland than before the deadline.
This deal will have a positive lasting effect on the leaning-back team. Although the Cavs gave up their first-round pick to the Lakers, they still have the Brooklyn first-round pick for 2018, which will give them a chance of getting a talented young player through the lottery. Or they can sell it as well if they get the right opportunity.
Considering that the information about LeBron James’s departure from the team proved to be false, it becomes obvious, that the new core of the team will be formed soon and Cleveland Cavaliers will show us some new moves.
First Published February 23, 2018, 5:00 a.m.
