Inside the Cavaliers’ Wild Trade Deadline

A misshapen Cavs roster changed radically thanks to 24 hours of deals.

Jordan Clarkson #8 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 13, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jordan Clarkson #8 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 13, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE/Getty Images

The NBA’s most prolific reporter of deals, Adrian Wojnarowski, has excavated the Cavaliers’ shocking trade deadline for ESPN. It all started with a rare sit-down between Cavs general manager Koby Altman and LeBron James, as Atlman committed to James that he would make substantial changes to a roster that was falling apart in James’ final year under contract. His objectives at the beginning of the day were to move Isaiah Thomas, whose offensive partnership with James had not been unsuccessful, and to bring in players who could grow with the team beyond 2018. When the dust settled, the Cavs had dropped their pursuit of Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, but they had hauled in Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Rodney Hood, and George Hill. As the Cavaliers’ new roster took shape, Altman gave Dwyane Wade, whose minutes would likely suffer, the option of a trade back home to Miami, an offer Wade and the Heat were both happy to accept.

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