In a three-team deal involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets, four players will change teams, along with a handful of future draft picks. While most of the players will simply be viewed as complimentary or role pieces, the trade could free up the space for a homecoming involving the best player on the planet today. Cleveland will trade Jarrett Jack and Sergey Karasev to Brooklyn, as well as send Tyler Zeller to Boston. Boston will also acquire Marcus Thornton from Brooklyn as well as a future first-round pick from Cleveland, who will receive at least one future second-round pick from either Boston or Brooklyn. Of course, while the Celtics get younger and the Nets add a scorer, this move could have been set up strictly so that the Cavs can sign LeBron James.
Jack and Zeller were nice role players for the Cavaliers. Karasev is young, but comes with potential. Still, none of them will be sorely missed, especially if it means that the prodigal son will return, as James will have a second chance to bring the city of Cleveland its first championship in decades.
From the Cavs’ perspective, the move was made simply to create more cap space. Cleveland can now offer James a max contract, provided he is seeking a return to home state. The Nets will add a scorer off the bench after losing Shaun Livingston. The Celtics get another big body and guard to back-up Avery Bradley, as well as compliment Rajon Rondo and Marcus Smart.
This is a trade that could greatly benefit all three teams going forward, but no team will receive a greater payoff than the Cavs, provided this results in the team convincing King James to return to his throne in Cleveland.
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