Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

5 most important deadline trades in Cleveland Cavaliers franchise history

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 29: Kevin Love #0 and Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after the two connected on a pass during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Pacers defeated the Cavaliers 113-104. 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)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 29: Kevin Love #0 and Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after the two connected on a pass during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Pacers defeated the Cavaliers 113-104. 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) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – CIRCA 1990: Larry Nance #6 of the Cleveland Cavaliers gets position under the basket on Terry Cummings #34 of the San Antonio Spurs during an NBA basketball game circa 1990 at the HemisFair Arena in San Antonio, Texas. Nance played for the Cavaliers from 1988-94. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – CIRCA 1990: Larry Nance #6 of the Cleveland Cavaliers gets position under the basket on Terry Cummings #34 of the San Antonio Spurs during an NBA basketball game circa 1990 at the HemisFair Arena in San Antonio, Texas. Nance played for the Cavaliers from 1988-94. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1988 NBA Trade Deadline

If you look at the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1980s and 1990s, they’re a mostly complete club. Yet, they weren’t always that way. Despite having Ron Harper, Hot Rod Williams, Brad Daugherty, and Mark Price for two full seasons, they didn’t end up making it to the playoffs until a huge trade was made.

That huge trade was for 28-year-old, former Phoenix Suns All-Star Larry Nance. The Cavs had a slew of double-digit scorers and double-double machines already. What they were missing was a  hard-nosed defender who could change the tide of a game with his elite-level defense. That’s what Nance brought with him in spades.

Nance came in and posted 2+ blocks per game for almost his entire run in Cleveland, even hitting three per game in the 1991-1992 season. While the Cavs likely would’ve been player contenders without Nance, they would not have been the juggernaut they were.

Nor would Michael Jordan’s legacy be so well respected. The Cavs were seen as the most talented team in the East for a lot of those years Nance was in Cleveland, so without them to combat, maybe Jordan’s legacy isn’t as highly respected as it is now.

That’s the impact Nance had on the squad.

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