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Tony Dejak/Associated Press

LeBron James

The pre-swap Cavs were a mess. Their bottom-third performance since Christmas didn't even seem like their gravest concern, as behind-the-scenes bickering suggested this club wouldn't come together.

Even worse, there were no obvious fixes. Cleveland's roster was old and expensive, a brutal combination to shop. Add in the reluctance to part with the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round pick, and the Cavs had all the makings of a sinking ship.

While this trade might not change Cleveland's fate, it should put a new wind in James' sails.

"Here's all you need to know: The behind-the-scenes reaction from James' inner circle was a resounding thumbs-up," USA Today's Sam Amick wrote.

Cleveland's deadline dealing added needed youth, athleticism, shooting and defense. This specific swap helps ease James' burden. This offense has collapsed without him (dropping 6.6 points per 100 possessions when he sits), but Clarkson is an elite quick-strike scorer. And Nance is a multipositional defensive asset, whereas Frye was a liability in any deployment.

Looking further down the line, this gives James extra free-agency flexibility. The Lakers can have two max-contract slots this summer or next (we'll examine that more later), and the Cavs have brightened their future. Both destinations are more attractive now than they were 24 hours ago.

Julius Randle

With restricted free agency awaiting him, Randle has two more months to showcase his skills. He'll have a bigger platform with Nance out of the way, regardless of whether Frye and/or Brook Lopez seeks a buyout.

For all the frontcourt looks the Lakers have had, the Randle-Nance pairing almost never happened. They played just 74 minutes together, or only four more than Randle played with Andrew Bogut, who was cut loose at the start of January.

Randle's playing time was already trending up (29.3 minutes per game over his last eight outings), and this should ensure it stays that way. The Lakers need to fully grasp his worth before he hits the open market. They'll give him all the floor time necessary to do that, since there's little purpose in trotting out Frye and Lopez on a rebuilding team with no shot at the playoffs.

Koby Altman

Cleveland's first-year general manager did far more good than harm here.

Youth was an obvious need. Altman swapped out a 34-year-old (Frye) and 29-year-old (Thomas) for a pair of 25-year-olds. Bounce was another target. He found two above-the-rim finishers for a 5'9" player who hasn't found his footing after a hip injury and a ground-bound stretch big.

Altman is shouldering risk, however.

Clarkson's inconsistent shooting (career 33.2 percent from distance) limits his off-ball effectiveness, and Nance isn't the anchor this defense lacks. Even if the outgoing draft pick nets a player less talented than Nance, it still offers four years of cost control while Nance only has next season left on his rookie deal. And who knows what kind of damage could stem from increasing L.A.'s cap room.

But Altman strengthened his squad and greatly reduced its average age without sacrificing his top roster-building asset. This functions as both an all-out push to appease James and a contingency plan for his possible exit.