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NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 trades to keep LeBron James happy in Cleveland

By Tre LyDay

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 20: LeBron James
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 20: LeBron James /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 23: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles past Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 23: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles past Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

5. Getting a second guard

Cavs receive: CJ McCollum

Trail Blazers receive: Evan Fournier and Jonathan Simmons

Orlando Magic receive: J.R. Smith, Jae Crowder and Cavs 2018 first-round pick

The Portland Trail Blazers are at a crossroads right now, and it’s unsure if their current roster can make a significant run in the playoffs. That being said why not take a chance on acquiring one of the better two guards in the league? Isaiah Thomas is the biggest liability on defense, and J.R. Smith isn’t that great of a backup plan defensively either.

Adding an All-Star caliber guard that can create for himself and is a great spot up shooter is perfect for James. Jae Crowder hasn’t worked out all that well for the Cavs either, and the time for an adjustment period is pretty much over for him since we’re approaching the All-Star break.

As for teams that should tank the Orlando Magic are without a doubt on this list. They’re paying Fournier $17 million for the next four years which is a lot of money, and he could be better served on a team in playoff contention. Jonathan Simmons showed that he could be a valuable asset to a playoff team as shown in his time with the Spurs. If you run this trade through ESPN’s trade machine it adds four wins to the Trail Blazers which wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.

The main “winners” in this trade are obviously the Cavs and the Blazers. Cavs get a guard that brings the entire package to the table, and the Trail Blazers get two guys that could prove valuable to whichever direction the team decides to go in for the future.