Cavaliers: Big Mistake or A Bigger Comeback?

Throughout their 2017-2018 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have not been playing as a team resulting in blowout loses from other unexpected teams. Through frustration, the Cavs had to make a change. That change being Coach Tyronn Lue trading a big chunk of his roster.

The Cavs started their trade with Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye to the Lakers. In return, received Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. This switch could benefit the Cavaliers because of the height disadvantage with Isaiah Thomas's inability to guard because he is just 5'9. By trading Channing Frye they're are getting rid of a filler-player who never really did much anyways. By getting Clarkson and Nance Jr. the Cavaliers gained two young athletic players who can play both offence and defense to the ability that Lue will need them to.

A shocking trade was the Cavs giving Wade a plane ticket back home. By giving this key player away they got the opportunity to secure the second round pick in the 2024 draft; ultimately trading Wade in for an eighth grader (but let's not forget LeBron James Jr. is currently in the eighth grade). By losing Dwayne Wade the Cavs are giving away a Wade that fans have never seen before. With Wade only averaging 11 points a game in about 20 minutes per game, he wasn't as much of a factor that fans would've hoped for.

Rodney Hood and George Hill are making their way to Cleveland. So, what will these players bring in their suitcase? Hill is a veteran, therefore able to provide experience on this young-ish Cavs team. Rodney Hood, a Duke alumnus, played for the one of greatest coaches of all time in college. So, what has Coach K taught Hood that will benefit this NBA team? Hood is a very athletic player who prides himself on defense. With the ability to score from all three levels, Hood is giving the Cavs a shooter.

In order to receive these two players, they had to give up Iman Shumpert, Derrick Rose, Jae Crowder and a 2020 second-round draft pick. By losing Shumpert, Lue is breaking a bond that has been in Cleveland for years. By losing Crowder, the Cavs are giving up one of their starters. Crowder was a key defender that can shoot from mid-range and deep. Rose needs to retire. He is no longer the Chicago legacy he once was. The Cavs aren't giving up much with this one.

With their fresh roster, the Cavaliers opened their "new" season with a win beating the Celtics 121-99. Their new players already helped them bounce back from a 102-88 loss to the Boston Celtics earlier in January. Clarkson opened up with 17 points 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Hood scored 15 points and had 3 rebounds. George Hill had 12 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Larry Nance Jr. provided 5 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. So is this the start of a championship Cavalier team and who's next on their hit list?