Los Angeles Lakers: 3 takeaways from 2018 NBA Trade Deadline

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3. Cavs improve across the board

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the worst defensive teams all season, and needed a major roster shakeup to regain their status as clear favorite in the Eastern Conference.

They were a slow team that seemed limited in trade options given their lack of attractive pieces outside of the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round pick they own.

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Besides defense, the Cavs lack an isolation scorer off the bench that can carry an offense with LeBron resting. They didn’t re-establish themselves as clear favorites, and won’t until we see their four new players in action, but the pickups of Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. improve areas of need.

Clarkson has turned into a strong scorer off the bench, averaging 14.8 points in just 23.7 minutes per game. His shooting percentages have dropped a little since Lonzo Ball has been injured, but he still shoots a respectable 44.8 percent from the field.

Nance brings athleticism to both sides of the ball, and should make his impact on the defensive end. He can switch onto guards and can play the 4 or 5 for a Cavs frontline lacking bounce.

I expect these two to come off the bench and continue developing their two-man game. They are better defenders than the players who went the other way, and are on reasonable contracts. Clakrson at $25.9 million for the next two seasons isn’t a reach, and Nance has another year on his rookie contract remaining.

Considering they had two first round draft picks to play with, giving up their own draft pick isn’t too harsh. They now have two young players on contracts and can expect them to make an impact right away.

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