The oldest team in basketball has traded away a bunch of its players and gotten younger. The Cleveland Cavaliers made deals with several teams today to get a whole new roster as they fall to a disappointing 3rd place in the Eastern Conference.
LeBron James is still there, but the Cavaliers did trade six players: Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye, Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose. That includes the two Boston Celtics the team picked up in September for Kyrie Irving.
They also traded two future draft picks in an effort to keep James and improve their chances of winning a championship this season.
The Cavs added guard Jordan Clarkson, shooting guard, Rodney Hood and veteran point guard George Hill.
They also picked up favorite son Larry Nance, Jr, who was born in Akron. Nance’s father, who still works as a coordinate for the Cavaliers, was a forward for the great teams of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
Commentator Terry Pluto said the revamp was prompted by two major factors.
“Number one, they were an abominable defensive team,” Pluto said. “Secondly, the Cavs realized their roster was old.”
According to Pluto, Thomas’ hip injury didn’t help things.
“They added Isaiah Thomas, who was not healthy, and even when healthy (he) was not a good defender,” Pluto said.
He missed half a season, and when he did play, he only made a dismal 36 percent of his shots and was critical of his teammates.
For his part, James didn’t seem too upset about losing some teammates.
“He sent out a picture of Dwyane Wade congratulating him and then going home to Miami,” Pluto said. “I’m not sure how he feels about the other trades, other than I know that some of those guys they got rid of, LeBron would not mind seeing them leave.”
The Cavaliers take on the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
