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

4. A blockbuster deal

Cavs receive: Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Anderson 

Spurs receive: J.R. Smith, Jae Crowder and Nets 2018 first-round pick

You want to keep LeBron James happy where he is? Bring in a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. With the recent report of distrust between Leonard and the Spurs this is a perfect opportunity for Gilbert and Altman to pick up the phone and dial up R.C. Buford and see if you can’t talk him into dealing the All-Star forward.

The Spurs never have lottery picks because they’re always deep in the playoffs. The Brooklyn Nets pick would be the first time the Spurs had a pick in the lottery since they took Tim Duncan in 1997. I’m not saying they’d find another Leonard with that pick, but knowing how smart the Spurs front office is I’m sure they’d find exactly who they’d want with that pick.

The Spurs also have LaMarcus Aldridge who has a new found commitment to the team after having a heart-to-heart conversation with head coach Greg Popovich this past offseason. They’ve managed to accumulate a 30-18 record without the services of Leonard for the vast majority of the season, so they wouldn’t be crushed if they dealt him.

I’m fairly certain James would rather have Leonard on his team than have to go against him. He’s been a thorn in James side since his days in Miami. The Cavs are absolutely dreadful on defense, and adding Leonard would fix a handful of their problems. Defense can be contagious, and a guy like Leonard could spread it to the entire team.

Just think a lineup with Kevin Love, Isaiah Thomas, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard would make fans in Cleveland very happy.