Though the Cleveland Cavaliers were the most active team during this season’s trade deadline, they didn’t land a star addition like many expected them to. The Cavs were linked to a variety of names but one of the marquee ones was Clippers center DeAndre Jordan.
Though shooters and stretch bigs have proven to work best on a roster with LeBron James, adding a defensive anchor like Jordan would certainly have its value. James knows Jordan could’ve bolstered this current Cavs roster, and he said as much following last night’s loss to the Clippers. Following from Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon:
The Cavs were talking to the Clippers about possible trades for Jordan for weeks, and could’ve had him on deadline day. He has a $24.1 million player’s option on his contract for next season.
“I don’t play fantasy basketball,” James said. “I knew the conversations were going on from the outside. I seen it. If it would have happened it would have gave us a boost but it didn’t happen so you move on.”
Though the Cavs came out the trade deadline a new team, LeBron James knows adding an interior presence like DeAndre Jordan would’ve been invaluable. In the end though, Jordan stayed put in LA and Cleveland added big man Larry Nance to fortify their frontcourt rotation.
Since the Cavs made their deadline-day trades, the team has posted a 6-5 record so their deals certainly didn’t quell all their issues.
LeBron James and the Cavs still have their work cut out for them if they hope to go on another postseason run and get back to the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive season.
