The trade makes the Cavaliers younger, as both players they are getting are 25 years old.
Clarkson averages 14.5 points per game on 45 percent shooting. He had been the Lakers’ sixth man, providing instant offense off the bench for much of the season.
Clarkson, who is owed $25.9 million over the next two seasons, averaged 21.2 points over an eight-game tear before scoring seven points in the Lakers’ win over Phoenix on Tuesday. He leads the NBA with 274 points off the bench since Jan. 1, just ahead of the Clippers’ Lou Williams (270) over that span, according to NBA Advanced Stats. Over the season, only Williams (813) has more bench points than Clarkson (732).
Nance averages 8.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. His father was a two-time All-Star for the Cavaliers.
Nance said he was ready for whatever the trade deadline brought.
“Speculating or being upset about it before it happens does you, does the organization, does anybody no good,” he said Wednesday. “There is nothing we can do about it. We’re just pawns in the game at this point. So you put your head down, play hard, play for us.”
“Whether I am in the gym all night or whether I am on my knees begging and pleading not to get traded, whether if I was begging to get traded, what is going to happen is going to happen,” Nance added. “And me worrying about it isn’t going to change anything or make a difference. … The NBA is a revolving door, whether you are under contract, not under contract, guys come and go. I mean I started out here with [Robert] Sacre and Kobe [Bryant].”
After three straight Finals appearances and a title in 2016, the Cavs are currently third in the East. The Cavaliers visit the Lakers on Sunday, March 11 (9 p.m. ET, ESPN).
ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.
Article Appeared @http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22368742/cleveland-cavaliers-sending-isaiah-thomas-los-angeles-lakers-jordan-clarkson-larry-nance