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Cleveland Cavaliers: IT says Cavs’ deadline day trades were panic moves

By Michael Saenz

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 2: Referee Steve Anderson #35 listens to Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after Thomas was charged with a technical foul during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 2, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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, OH - JANUARY 2: Referee Steve Anderson #35 listens to Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after Thomas was charged with a technical foul during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 2, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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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Isaiah Thomas says the Cleveland Cavaliers decision to trade him ahead of the NBA trade deadline was a panic move by the team

In the weeks leading up to the NBA trade deadline, it was pretty clear that the Cleveland Cavaliers needed some sort of change.

However, it was still somewhat surprising that the Cavs elected to throw the towel in on the Isaiah Thomas experiment after just 15 games. In 15 games, though, Cleveland had seen all they needed to see.

Thomas is arguably the worst individual defender in the league and when he’s not playing at an effective and high level on the offensive end (which he wasn’t) his value falls dramatically.

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Although, what did they really expect from a player that overcame a serious injury? Clearly, more.

In 15 games with the Cavs, Thomas was averaging 15 points and five assists in just 27 minutes of action. On the surface, those numbers aren’t terrible. They’re actually quite good. Problem is, they also don’t tell the entire story.

On top of those solid numbers, Thomas shot a putrid 36 percent from the field and and even worse 25 percent from 3-point range. He was also committing nearly three turnovers per game, on top of being one of the statistically worst individual defenders in the NBA.

When looking at the evidence, in the way of the numbers, I don’t think anyone can blame the Cavs for quickly aborting the Isaiah Thomas experiment.

Except for Isaiah Thomas, of course, who says the Cavs made a panic move when they traded him at the trade deadline.

"[via ESPN]“I didn’t think they would pull the trigger that fast, 15 games,” Thomas told ESPN’s E:60 in an interview that will air March 11. “But again, it’s a business. And the Cavs were, I mean, they were in panic mode. We were losing — a lot. And I think they felt like they needed to make a move, and they, they basically cleared house.”"

Considering that LeBron James is a free agent after the season, it’s really no surprise that Cleveland elected to throw the entire script in the garbage can. Whatever they had planned didn’t work.

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And for a team that is judged by what they do in the NBA Finals – not in the actual playoffs – patience is not something that is freely granted.

Isaiah Thomas’ comments are no surprise, and he’s right.

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