Cleveland Cavaliers Get Four Players Via Trade: Reports

CLEVELAND, OH — In a frantic day of trades, the Cleveland Cavaliers have reshuffled the roster, sending out six older players and getting four (mostly) younger players in return. The team executed a pair of trades on Thursday as the NBA heads into the All-Star break.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson from the Los Angles Lakers, according to reports from ESPN. The team is reportedly shipping Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye to the Lakers. The Cavs are including their own first round pick to sweeten the deal, the Ringer's Kevin O'Connor says.

In a separate trade, the Cavaliers have acquired guard Rodney Hood from the Utah Jazz and guard George Hill from the Sacramento Kings, ESPN reports. Iman Shumpert will be sent to Sacramento and Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose will head to Utah.

The Lakers Trade

Clarkson is a 25-year-old six foot five guard who is averaging 14.5 points per game this season, while playing 23.7 minutes per game. He's shooting 32 percent from behind the arc. He's also averaging 3.3 assists and 3 rebounds per game.

Nance, the son of Cavaliers legend Larry Nance, is a six foot eight forward. He's a high-energy player that has earned some renown in the league for his dunking abilities. He's currently averaging 8.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, and 1.4 apg. He's shooting 25 percent from three.

Meanwhile, Thomas' stint in Cleveland will come to an ignominious conclusion. The diminutive point guard was earmarked as the replacement for the departing Kyrie Irving. However, Thomas has struggled to gel within the Cavaliers' system. He currently has the lowest shooting percentage of his career, at 36 percent, and is averaging only 14.7 ppg, his lowest total since his sophomore campaign.

Frye has been a staple of the Cavaliers bench since the 2016 title run. His three-point shooting and length may be missed by the team moving forward. His departure also sees the last player-member of the Road Trippin' podcast get shipped out of town.

The Cavaliers first round pick may have some protections placed on it, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. It is not yet clear what those protections may be.

The Hood-Hill Trade

Rodney Hood is another 25-year-old with a bright future ahead of him. He's currently having his best statistical season, averaging 16.8 ppg on 42 percent shooting, including 38 percent from three. He's six foot six and offers more versatility on defense for Cleveland.

George Hill, acquired from Sacramento in the three-team trade, is another combo guard who can play both point and shooting positions effectively. Hill is widely regarded as a plus-defender. He's struggled since joining the Kings this season, putting up only 10.3 ppg and 2.8 assists. He may be rejuvenated by heading to a contender.

Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose were sent to Utah in exchange for Hood. Both players have struggled since joining Cleveland in the off-season. Rose even went missing from the team for a two-week stretch before returning. Both men may find more minutes and expanded roles waiting for them with the Jazz, if they're kept at all.

Iman Shumpert, another part of the 2016 championship team, will be sent to the relative hinterlands of Sacramento. The Kings haven't been competitive since 2005, the last time the team had a winning season.

In a move that may be peripherally related to the acquisition of four younger players, Dwyane Wade is being sent back to Miami, potentially as a place for him to finish his career. Wojnarowski reported that Wade was given the chance to return home instead of facing a diminished role with the Cavaliers.

What's Next?

With what appears to be two open roster spots, the Cavaliers may be waiting to see which players will be bought out after the trade deadline. Some possible targets for buyouts include: Jazz forward Joe Johnson, Indiana Pacers big man Al Jefferson, New York Knicks big man Joakim Noah, Atlanta Hawks guard Marco Belinelli and Hawks forward Ersan Illyasova.

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)