The Cleveland Cavaliers are back in the championship picture after their front-office pulled off a series of shocking transactions at the trade deadline, giving LeBron James younger and a more athletic supporting cast to aide him in his quest for another NBA championship ring.

Just when everybody thought this year’s trade deadline would end up a dud, Cavaliers' general manager Koby Altman came up with a few rapid-fire deals that have almost completely remade the team halfway into the season. All of a sudden, the Cavs re-established themselves as one of the favorites to come out of the East at the expense of several future draft picks, a former All-Star, an MVP, and LeBron’s buddy.

Cavs-Lakers Deal

Cleveland’s first salvo of trades involved Isaiah Thomas, who was part of the package they acquired from the Boston Celtics in the blockbuster Kyrie Irving trade last summer. Sr. NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Cavs sent Thomas and Channing Frye to the Los Angeles Lakers for combo guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr.

The Cavaliers added some bench scoring and athleticism to the roster with the acquisition of Clarkson and Nance. The Lakers, meanwhile, brought on board shooters to flank point guard Lonzo Ball. Moreover, the expiring contracts of Thomas and Frye will give the Lakers cap space for two max-contract players in 2018 and 2019.

Cavs’ three-team deal with Kings and Jazz

The Cavaliers continued to retool their lineup, and this time they finally completed a deal for veteran point guard George Hill. They also swung a trade for swingman Rodney Hood, who will become a restricted free agent this summer. Cleveland sent Iman Shumpert, a future pick and cash to the Kings, and then Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose to the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz dumped Joe Johnson to the Kings to complete a three-team trade. Johnson and Rose are expected to reach buyouts with their new teams and clear waivers.

Cleveland got a perimeter defense a boost with Hill and Hood. Hill would provide stability in the backcourt with his playmaking ability while Hood will give defending the Eastern Conference champs a much needed three-point shooter.

The Kings gain more financial flexibility while the Jazz finally landed a solid wingman to fill Gordon Hayward’s position. Johnson will likely sign with a playoff contender, same goes with Rose, who is now being linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

D-Wade back in Miami for one last ride

The Cavs’ trade deadline overhaul opened the door for former All-Star guard Dwyane Wade to ponder over his future with the team. Eventually, Wade gave the green light for the Cavs to trade him to the Miami Heat in exchange for a heavily protected second-round pick in 2020.

Wade, who is averaging 11.2 PPG on 49.7 FG% with 3.5 APG and 3.9 RPG in 23.2 MPG, expressed his desire to rejoin the Heat, one way or another, before finishing his Hall of Fame-worthy career.

He got his wish and will now join a Heat team that is in prime position to make the playoffs this season. There’s no telling Wade’s future beyond this season, but the possibility of a retirement is out there.
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