CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Every player has a different reaction when learning of a trade.

For Larry Nance Jr., an Akron native, that career-changing phone call with Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman on Thursday afternoon led to an outpouring of emotions.

"How cool is it for him to come home? The kid was in borderline tears when I called him today," Altman said during a conference call to recap his watershed moment as GM. "He's ecstatic to be a part of it."

Nance Jr. was one of four players acquired by the Cavaliers, a roster overhaul that led to six players leaving the organization.

The trade with Los Angeles -- bringing in Nance Jr. and guard Jordan Clarkson for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and a protected 2018 first round pick that will be used by the Lakers this off-season provided it doesn't land in the Top 3 -- was just the start of a wild day.

Nance Jr. was an obvious target and when the Lakers made him available, adding a sweetener for some team to take Clarkson and his lucrative contract, Altman and his staff couldn't pass.

"He's going to be a core piece for us moving forward," Altman said. "Basketball IQ, athleticism, work ethic, a cultural piece we're excited about."

A desire to change the culture drove Cleveland's overall deadline approach. The Cavs, possessing the league's oldest roster heading into Thursday's trade deadline, were also looking tor ways to inject youth into the roster, perhaps re-energizing the three-time Eastern Conference champions after fighting through a season-long malaise.

Nance Jr., the son of Cavaliers legend Larry Nance Sr., is 25 years old and will be participating in the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Clarkson is also 25, in his fourth NBA season. Rodney Hood -- part of a three-team deal between Cleveland, Sacramento and Utah -- is a 25-year-old shooting guard with rare size (6-foot-8) for the position. George Hill, the other piece of that deal, is the oldest of the new quartet, a battle-tested veteran that should help balance the roster.

The Cavs also sent Iman Shumpert to Sacramento, Dwyane Wade back to Miami and Jae Crowder as well as Derrick Rose to the Utah Jazz.

"We decided to shuffle the deck and get younger and get some youthful talent with energy and enthusiasm," Altman said. "I'm really excited about what they are going to bring to the table. I think we're going to be energetic and we're just going to be fun again, and fun to watch and fun to be around."

Nance Jr., who starred at Revere High School, will not be able to wear his father's No. 22 jersey with the Cavs, as it's already hanging from the rafters. Instead, Nance Jr. will wear the No. 24. He shared his thoughts on social media, with an Instagram message capped with the hashtag, "JustAKidFromAkron."

"I'll be forever grateful for everything that the Lakers organization, the fans, and my teammates have done for me," he wrote. "It's been an unbelievable experience and I couldn't be happier with where I started this journey! Thank you guys for the past 2 1/2 years! On to THE LAND I go."