Factory Of Sadness
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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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PHOENIX – DECEMBER 21: Zydrunas Ilgauskas #11 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw shot during the NBA game against of the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 21, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 109-91. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – DECEMBER 21: Zydrunas Ilgauskas #11 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw shot during the NBA game against of the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 21, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 109-91. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2010 NBA Trade Deadline

The Cleveland Cavaliers finally landed LeBron James a running buddy in Antwan Jamison in 2010. Don’t let the narrative fool you, Jamison was still playing very well even though he was in his early 30s. He was shooting 34% from three (good for the era) and was dropping 18 a game. He was also pulling down over eight rebounds per game while being a solid defender.

All it took to get Jamison from the Washington Wizards were a European player you never heard of, what would become the 30th pick in the 2010 draft (Lazar Hayward), and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Now, that last name may make your eyebrows raise because Ilgauskas never played for the Wizards. In fact, Ilgauskas played for the Cavs in the 2010 playoffs, right?

So how did this happen?

Well, the Cavs made the trade to the rebuilding Wizards and the Wizards bought out Ilgauskas’ contract. Then the Cavs re-signed Ilgauskas to a veteran minimum deal. The whole thing was thought out and executed in advance. It was planned.

And that’s why it made the list. The NBA did not like the Cavs pulling one over on them or the league, and so implemented a rule following the 2010 season that no team could re-acquire a player they traded away for at least a year.

When you do something so devious the NBA changes the rules because of it, you get to make the list.

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