Isaiah Thomas Traded to Lakers, Leaves Cavaliers! Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Traded to Cavs!

The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and their own protected 2018 first-round pick to the Lakers in exchange for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr., according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This was well-needed for a Cavs team that’s been withering.

The real surprise here is that Cleveland was willing to part with Thomas, who came to the Cavs over the summer in a blockbuster trade with the Celtics for Kyrie Irving. Thomas has struggled mightily since his return from a major hip injury in January, and ultimately the Cavs decided they couldn’t risk waiting for him to return to full health.

Instead the Cavs made a panicky trade for guard help, opting for a pure scorer in Clarkson and a rotation forward in Nance Jr.

Is this enough to get Cleveland back in playoff form? Maybe not. But there’s still time before the deadline.