With the trade deadline over and done, it is time to analyze the various trades that went through and their lasting effects on the teams involved.

On February 8th the NBA trade deadline concluded, closing off the last opportunity for teams to make necessary shifts to their teams roster this season to hopefully make a run for the NBA Finals. While many teams didn’t take advantage of this opportunity, some teams, like the Cleveland Cavaliers, made key changes that could dramatically alter the outcome of their season. Among the teams that made changes were the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, LA Lakers, Miami Heat, and many more.

The biggest headline for the trade deadline was the Cavaliers completely redefining their roster, getting rid of almost every move they made over the off season. In the wake of the disastrous Kyrie Irving for Isaiah Thomas trade, Cleveland’s front office was looking for a trade that would get rid of the players that just didn’t mesh well together. In a miraculous trade with the LA Lakers the Cavaliers got rid of Isaiah Thomas, who is by no means a bad player, but whose ball-dominate playing style just didn’t work with Lebron and the rest of the team. The deal also sent Channing Frye and the Cavaliers first round 2018 draft pick to LA, but in return the Cavaliers got two very good pickups for their team in Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson.

The Cavaliers didn’t stop there, creating a three-way trade including the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings. By sending Derrick Rose and Jae Crowder to Utah, along with Iman Shumpert to Sacramento, the Cavaliers picked Rodney Hood and George Hill. Along with this three way trade Joe Johnson was was sent to Sacramento from the Utah Jazz. All around this deal seemed to work out well for each team involved. The Cavaliers got rid of a struggling Crowder, who wasn’t making the defensive impact they had hoped for, an injury ridden Derrick Rose, and a non essential player in Iman Shumpert for two talented players in Rodney Hood and George Hill. At the same time Sacramento was able to get away from George Hill who was just not working out in their system. Finally Utah was able to trade away an unhappy Joe Johnson, but in return received a struggling Jae Crowder. This move may have increased the team chemistry, able to fulfill Johnsons wish of moving on, but it is unsure if Crowder will improve the Jazz.

The Cavaliers had one more big trade, sending Dwyane Wade back home to Miami for a second round draft pick. With this last trade the Cavaliers ultimately reversed all their questionable offseason moves, getting rid of Wade, Crowder, Thomas, and Rose. In doing this the Cavaliers got younger, longer, better defensively and finally gave themselves a good shot at competing with the Warriors in the NBA Finals. However, even though they got better, the Cavaliers are far off from being world beaters. With only a few games under the new Cavaliers belts critics and fans are still unsure if they can match up against the Warriors, but it is clear they have a better chance now than they did a month ago.