Cleveland Cavaliers: 6 ways the trade deadline deals impact the team

2. Get rid of a problem player

Isaiah Thomas wasn’t the jewel of the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Celtics, but it didn’t hurt Cleveland was getting a guy who was second-team All-NBA just a season ago to accompany Brooklyn’s first-round draft pick.

But Thomas’ comeback was looking worse by the minute and the Cavs viewed the point guard as “toxic” on the court and off, according to Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net.

Didn’t it just seem the Cavs were freezing Thomas out during their much acclaimed victory over the Timberwolves at Quicken Loans Arena Wednesday night.

AP reporter Tom Withers didn’t call it “freezing out,” but he pointed out how LeBron looked the other way, twice, when IT was open for three.

The fact that IT didn’t workout is a bummer. How could you not like the chip on his shoulder. He went from being the last player in the draft to an All-Star while with the Celtics.

Don’t forget the ovation he received from the Wine & Gold faithful when he made his debut at the beginning of January. We all wanted to see this guy thrive in a Cavs uniform, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work out.

Jae Crowder, acquired from Boston with IT in the Irving deal, seemed like a great addition. He was thought to be an athletic wing who could score a little. I’ve never been so wrong about a player, and Crowder just never appeared to fit on this roster.

The Cavs asked him to play power forward, which obviously was a problem.

Rose left the team earlier this year and contemplated retirement. His playing time was scarce ever since.