Cavs: 3 players Koby Altman let get away that forced the long rebuild

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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 24: Gary Clark #6 of the Houston Rockets puts pressure on Jordan Clarkson #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on November 24, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Rockets 117-108. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Jordan Clarkson

The 2020 NBA Sixth-Man, Jordan Clarkson, came over with Larry Nance in a trade with the Lakers. The Cavs gave up Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and the Cavs’ 2018 first-round pick. This came just months after Thomas came over from Boston in the Kyrie Irving trade that also saw Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the pick that became Collin Sexton and a second-round draft pick come to Cleveland.

The 2018 first-round pick the Cavs gave up for Clarkson would become Moritz Wagner.

The move brought over Clarkson, who was already well known for his scoring prowess while in Los Angeles. A rare standout as a second-round pick, Clarkson became one of the Lakers prime guys to build around, alongside Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. When the Cavs landed both Nance and Clarkson, it was seen as a big coup for the Cavs in 2018 and beyond.

That was until the Cavs turned around and traded Clarkson away for next to nothing. Maybe if Clarkson wasn’t shipped off for second-round picks, and a busted point guard with no shooting ability (Dante Exum) then fans would think more highly of this trade. The fact remains, however, that Exum didn’t pan out and the Cavs got nothing out of those second-round picks.

Clarkson could’ve been a starter or a sixth-man for the Cavs at this point. This would’ve given them a more consistent scorer off the bench. Sure, he and Collin Sexton essentially play the same game and probably couldn’t play together very often if they were to be as effective as possible but that doesn’t mean that Clarkson couldn’t have helped.

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