When the Los Angeles Lakers packaged Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers at last season’s trade deadline, many wondered if that would ultimately seal the fate of LeBron James come free agency.
After all, by including Clarkson in the trade, which reportedly required the Lakers to convince the Cavs to take the reserve guard, it freed up necessary salary cap space to offer James a max contract.
Sure he enough, James went on to sign with the Lakers. Not only that, but he joined the franchise on a four-year contract, rather than the 1+1 deals he had been signing.