The Cavs are trying their best to improve their team during the trade deadline. After already sending out Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and a first-round pick to the Lakers for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance. It’s clear that something had to be done but now Cleveland is really blowing up this roster to appease the crying LeBron James. Now James has gotten his wish and Cleveland is making a last-ditch effort to keep LeBron long term.
The Cavaliers will add Rodney Hood and George Hill in a huge three-way deal. The Kings and Jazz are also involved in the trade. Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the news:
Cleveland acquires Rodney Hood and George Hill in three-team deal, transforming its roster at the trade deadline.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Woj continues with the details that include the following. Hood and Hill will head to the Cavs. Joe Johnson and Iman Shumpert are the poor victims that will head to the Sacramento Kings. Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose will head to the Jazz. Utah has long coveted Jae Crowder and almost went to Utah when the Celtics needed to create room to sign Gordon Hayward away from Utah. The Cavs will send the 2nd round pick they acquired in the Dwyane Wade deal to Sacramento as well.
Hood gives the Cavs a much-needed shooter. Hood is set to hit restricted free agency so they will control his rights this upcoming summer. Cleveland’s willingness to eat the $20 million owed to George Hill for the next two years probably got this deal done. Rose and Shumpert have spent most of the year hurt and were really just sitting on the bench.
The Jazz appears to be winners in this deal as they will acquire Crowder for a cheap contract in the $6-$7 million range for three more years. Crowder hasn’t achieved up to standards in Cleveland but that was to be expected because LeBron makes everyone worse.
