NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 trades to save Jordan Clarkson from the Lakers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are sliding with a roster that is aging, flawed and looking increasingly disinterested. This seems to be an annual tradition for the Cavaliers and it has often been followed by some movement at the trade deadline. Looking at something that moves the needle for the Cavaliers is kind of a challenge. The team’s biggest need is on the defensive side of the ball and Clarkson may not be much help there.

However, Clarkson is young, athletic and energetic. He’s a capable shot creator on his own and wouldn’t hurt the team’s spacing if he was on the floor around LeBron James and Isaiah Thomas. He may not be a defensive stopper but he can add some juice to a team that appears to be falling apart.

Cleveland could send Cedi Osman and Channing Frye back to the Lakers. Frye is a free agent at the end of this year and the Cavaliers are probably better off with Tristan Thompson or Kevin Love playing the majority of the center minutes. Osman is inexpensive, has some upside and helps make the salaries work.