LeBron James has a lot of new teammates.
In a series of shocking trades, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded half of its roster in about the span of an hour just before the NBA's trade deadline.
According to Scripps station WEWS in Cleveland, the Cavaliers conducted five transactions just hours before the deadline:
- Guard Isaiah Thomas and forward Channing Frye went to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for point guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr.
- Cleveland is sending Iman Shumpert to the Sacramento Kings
- Utah sent Rodney Hood to Cleveland
- Cleveland will send Jae Crowder and Derek Rose to Utah
- Miami will send a second-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Dwyane Wade.
Thomas arrived in Cleveland earlier this season via a controversial trade that sent Cavalier PG Kyrie Irving to Boston. Thomas played in just 15 games for the Cavaliers this season after battling a hip injury,
The Cavaliers, who have been to the NBA Finals in each of the past three seasons, have underperformed so far this season and currently sit in third place in the Eastern Conference. Reports indicate that locker room morale has plummeted, especially since Thomas returned from injury in January.
Wade's wife, Gabrielle Union thanked fans in Cleveland for making their family feel welcomed while they were in town.
Huge thank you to the fans in Cleveland for treating our family like family! Always love and gratitude
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 8, 2018
Over the years, Channing Frye became a fan favorite in Cleveland and was part of the team's 2016 championship win.
Reacting to the news and thanking fans on social media, Frye said: "Don't go 0-6 or they're going to trade your ass."
Channing Frye reacts to his trade: "Don't go 0-6 or they're going to trade your ass." pic.twitter.com/Ttqit6KEgl
— ESPN (@espn) February 8, 2018
It's no secret the special bond between LeBron James and Wade. On Instagram, James said he will miss his brother. "It's how it's supposed to be," he said.
