CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James moved on quickly.A day after the Cavaliers overhauled their roster with a tornado of trades that ripped through the NBA, James didn't dwell on what's lost, who's no longer around or how much time Cleveland has left to salvage its season."It is what it is, so let's get it going," he said Friday following the team's shootaround in Atlanta. "The front office made changes that they felt best fit this franchise. It's time to go to work."In the hours before Thursday's trading deadline, the Cavs unloaded six players, including Isaiah Thomas and Dwyane Wade, James' best friend, in three separate deals designed to make the team younger, more athletic and as general manager Koby Altman put it, to revitalize a team he felt was "marching a slow death."Cleveland added guards George Hill and Jordan Clarkson as well as forwards Larry Nance Jr. and Rodney Hood, and all will have to take a crash course in Cavaliers 101. The team sent some of medical staff to Atlanta in hopes... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James says he's excited about the new players added by the Cavaliers following a whirlwind of trades before the NBA's deadline.The Cavs unloaded six players, including Isaiah Thomas and Dwyane Wade, in three separate deals Thursday. General manager Koby Altman wanted to revitalize an aging team he felt was "marching a slow death" and not fulfilling its potential as a title contender.Cleveland's additions are George Hill, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr. and Rodney Hood. At the team's morning shootaround in Atlanta on Friday, James says it's his job to integrate them as fast as possible.Thomas struggled with Cleveland while recovering from a serious hip injury. James says he wishes the point guard's time with the Cavs "could have been better." James also hopes Thomas "can get that bounce back" with the Los Angeles Lakers.___More AP basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — Once summer rolls around, LeBron James stars on a different stage.All eyes in the NBA and across the sports world will focus on James during free agency.There are already teams lining up for an audience with The King, should he opt out of his contract. On Thursday, the Cavaliers turned their roster upside down in hopes of convincing James he doesn't have to go anywhere.And just like that, another chapter was added to a chaotic season in Cleveland.With an unexpected flurry of moves before the NBA trade deadline, the Cavs unloaded six players to change their identity and culture while moving back into title contention. They also showed James, who can be a free agent in July, they're willing to do whatever's necessary to help him win another championship."He's the guy that is going to take us back to the promised land," Cavs general manager Koby Altman said, "so you want to put the right pieces around him."All it took was a massive makeover.Altman ended an experiment doomed... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — With their NBA title hopes fading fast, the Cavaliers got aggressive at the trading deadline.They swapped teams.Cleveland completely changed its look — and perhaps its chances of winning a championship this season — on Thursday with a stunning sequence of deals. General manager Koby Altman traded six players, including Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose, and two future draft picks in moves designed to not only help them in the short term but could potentially help keep LeBron James beyond this season.Just like that, the Cavs traded nearly half their roster, got substantially younger and more athletic and wedged themselves back into contention to make a fourth straight Finals appearance against Golden State.Following a long day that left him "numb," Altman said his main objective in making the deals was to alter the chemistry of a team that was no longer playing with joy."We were really worried that what was going on the floor and sort of our culture in the building... [More]

From Isaiah Thomas to Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose, the Cleveland Cavaliers loaded up on big names last summer.None will be there if the Cavaliers get back to the NBA Finals.In what felt like an unprecedented do-over for a contending team, the Cavaliers simply changed the pieces that weren't fitting for new ones on Thursday at the trade deadline.Fans who usually marvel at LeBron James were instead praising his general manager, as Koby Altman used a series of swaps to strengthen a sputtering team and leave open the possibility for more moves."They got better. They made the moves they wanted to make and I'm sure they're going to make it work over there," Golden State's Kevin Durant said. "It's fun for all the fans and the media to kind of see what's going on with the trade deadline."Cavs' fans probably had the most fun, and for good reason. Cleveland was the story Thursday .The Cavaliers acquired Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. in the deal with Los Angeles, which also got Channing Frye... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — With their NBA title hopes fading fast, the Cavaliers got aggressive at the trading deadline.They swapped teams.Cleveland completely changed its look — and perhaps its chances of winning a championship this season — on Thursday with a stunning sequence of deals. The Cavs traded six players, including Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose, and two future draft picks in moves designed to not only help them in the short term but could potentially help keep LeBron James beyond this season.Just like that, the Cavs traded nearly half their roster, got younger and maybe wedged themselves back into contention to make a fourth straight Finals appearance against Golden State.Watching from the West Coast, the defending champions took notice."It's interesting, really interesting," Warriors forward Draymond Green said of Cleveland's drastic midseason renovation. "It's probably obviously something that they felt was needed. I feel like they made some good moves. I don't know, we'll... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — With their NBA title hopes fading fast, the Cavaliers got aggressive at the trading deadline.They swapped teams.Cleveland completely changed its look — and perhaps its chances of winning a championship this season — on Thursday with a stunning sequence of deals. The Cavs traded six players, including Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose, and two future draft picks in moves designed to not only help them in the short term but could potentially help keep LeBron James beyond this season.Just like that, the Cavs traded nearly half their roster, got younger and maybe wedged themselves back into contention to make a fourth straight Finals appearance against Golden State.Watching from the West Coast, the defending champions took notice."It's interesting, really interesting," Warriors forward Draymond Green said of Cleveland's drastic midseason renovation. "It's probably obviously something that they felt was needed. I feel like they made some good moves. I don't know, we'll... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — With their NBA title hopes fading fast, the Cavaliers got aggressive at the trading deadline.They swapped teams.Cleveland completely changed its look — and perhaps its chances of winning a championship this season — on Thursday with a stunning sequence of deals. The Cavs traded six players, including Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose, and two future draft picks in moves designed to not only help them in the short term but could potentially help keep LeBron James beyond this season.Just like that, the Cavs traded nearly half their roster, got younger and maybe wedged themselves back into contention.The Cavs began their shocking overhaul by sending the disappointing Thomas along with forward Channing Frye and one of their two first-round picks to the Los Angeles Lakers for point guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr.Thomas, who came over in last summer's blockbuster trade with Boston for Kyrie Irving, played in just 15 games and wasn't fitting in with... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — With the stunning force of a LeBron James dunk, the Cavaliers shattered their roster.Cleveland completely changed its look — and perhaps its chances of winning an NBA title this season — on Thursday with a stunning sequence of trades before the deadline, a person with direct knowledge of the deals told The Associated Press.The Cavs began their overhaul by sending disappointing guard Isaiah Thomas to the Los Angeles Lakers, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams are awaiting league approval to finalize all the deals. Thomas played in just 15 games as he returned from a hip injury and struggled to fit in, so the Cavs dealt him along with forward Channing Frye and one of their two first-round picks to the Lakers for point guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr.As the Thomas swap was being digested around the league, the Cavs completed a three-team deal with Utah and Sacramento. The Cavs sent guard Derrick Rose and forward Jae Crowder... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of the trades says the Cleveland Cavaliers have overhauled their roster with three deals, including one that sends Dwyane Wade back to Miami.Moments after they agreed to trade Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and a first-round pick to Los Angeles Lakers, the Cavs completed a three-team deal with Sacramento and Utah, said the person who spoke Thursday on the condition of anonymity because all the transactions have to be approved by the league.The Cavs sent guard Derrick Rose and forward Jae Crowder to the Jazz for forward Rodney Hood. They'll receive guard George Hill from the Kings in exchange for guard Iman Shumpert.Also, the 36-year-old Wade is returning to the Heat for a protected second-round pick. Wade played 13 seasons in Miami, winning three NBA titles — two of them with LeBron James.Wade signed a one-year deal with the Cavs, but has said he wanted to retire with Miami.

CLEVELAND (AP) — After a quick stop, Isaiah Thomas is moving again. The point guard's strange stay with the Cavaliers is over.Thomas, who was never a good fit in Cleveland while recovering from a hip injury, was traded hours before the NBA's deadline to the Los Angeles Lakers, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.Thomas was dealt with forward Channing Frye and one of the Cavs' two first-round draft picks to the Lakers for point guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams need NBA approval before the trade can be completed.The Cavs will keep their other first-round pick from the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to Boston last summer for Thomas, who struggled on the floor in Cleveland and seemed at odds with teammates and coaches.ESPN was first to report the deal.Following the Cavs' dramatic 140-138 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, Thomas... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with direct knowledge of the trade says the Cleveland Cavaliers are dealing guard Isaiah Thomas to the Los Angeles Lakers.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the teams need NBA approval before the trade can be completed.Thomas has not been a good fit with Cleveland while coming back from a hip injury and is leaving after playing just 15 games.The person adds that Cleveland is also sending forward Channing Frye and one of their two first-round draft picks to the Lakers for point guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr. The Cavs will keep the other first-round pick in the trade that sent Kyrie Irving to Boston last summer for Thomas.ESPN was first to report the deal.Following the Cavs' dramatic win over Minnesota on Wednesday night, Thomas said he liked it in Cleveland and was hoping he wouldn't be traded again.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

LeBron James says he won't be traded, though every other move should be on the table for the Cleveland Cavaliers.It's just unclear if anything can make a difference.The Cavaliers are a team that's deeply in a rut and badly in need of a change to jump-start a season that shows signs of slipping away. But they're down to their final hours to find help via trade, with the deadline set for Thursday afternoon.Impact players are traded, but this season the biggest ones may have already been moved. Jimmy Butler, Chris Paul, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony all were dealt over the summer, as was Kyrie Irving — in a move that may have backfired for the Cavs. Their former point guard has led Boston to the top of the Eastern Conference, while Isaiah Thomas has struggled in the brief time he's been available since returning from his hip injury.Cleveland also acquired the Brooklyn Nets' No. 1 pick in that deal, a likely high lottery selection. But the type of names most heavily mentioned in the days... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue has a long list of immediate concerns.Keeping his job isn't currently one of them.Despite Cleveland's recent slide and his team's lack of cohesion, the Cavaliers have no immediate plans to replace Lue, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Sunday.The status of Lue, who led the team to an NBA title in 2016 and three straight Finals appearances, came into question following Saturday night's 32-point home loss to Houston, the latest blowout suffered by a team in disarray. However, Lue's job isn't in danger because of the need for "keeping continuity" at this challenging time, given Cleveland's roster overhaul and injuries, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because of the sensitive nature of the situation.ESPN first reported that Lue's job wasn't in jeopardy.Cleveland has lost 12 of 18 and LeBron James and his teammates have been beaten by at least 24 points... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue has a long list of immediate concerns.Keeping his job isn't currently one of them.Despite Cleveland's recent slide and his team's lack of cohesion, the Cavaliers have no immediate plans to replace Lue, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Sunday.The status of Lue, who led the team to an NBA title in 2016 and three straight Finals appearances, came into question following Saturday night's 32-point home loss to Houston, the latest blowout suffered by a team in disarray. However, Lue's job isn't in danger because of the need for "keeping continuity" at this challenging time, given Cleveland's roster overhaul and injuries, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because of the sensitive nature of the situation.ESPN first reported that Lue's job wasn't in jeopardy.Cleveland has lost 12 of 18 and LeBron James and his teammates have been beaten by at least 24 points... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Kevin Love's heart was questioned last week. The focus has switched to his broken left hand this week.And so it goes for the Cleveland Cavaliers, a championship-chasing team plagued by as much malfunction as dysfunction.Love fractured a bone in his left hand in the first half of an ugly loss on Tuesday night in Detroit, and the All-Star forward's injury and status likely will have a major effect on the team's plans to fix a season spiraling away.The Cavaliers are expected to provide a further medical update on Wednesday after Love, the team's second-leading scorer and top rebounder, is re-examined in Cleveland by team doctors.Early indications are that he'll miss as much as two months. Love's absence complicates things for the Cavs, who are 5-8 in January heading into Wednesday's game against Miami. The Heat can leap over Cleveland into third place in the Eastern Conference standings with a win.Love previously had surgery on the hand in 2009 when he was with Minnesota."It's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers guard Isaiah Thomas denied a rift with Kevin Love, insisting there is no "bad blood" between the teammates.Following days of drama with the never-a-dull-moment Cavs, Thomas spoke Saturday to reporters for the first time since the struggling team — Cleveland is 4-7 in January — held a heated meeting that came after Love went home during a lopsided loss to San Antonio last Saturday because the All-Star was sick and then missed practice the following day.At Monday's pre-practice meeting, Thomas was among the players who challenged Love's absences.But Thomas said any belief that he specifically targeted Love is inaccurate."I didn't call him out," said Thomas, who has struggled in his return from a hip injury. "I asked him why wasn't he at the game, supporting his teammates. And then after the game, I didn't ask him because he wasn't there. So I was seeing where he was. So I didn't call him out any. So those reports that whoever is saying that, there's no bad blood... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Kevin Love's latest move hasn't made any of the Cavaliers screaming mad.There's a positive change.Targeted by some teammates during a heated meeting this week, Love is returning to power forward after Cavs coach Tyronn Lue tweaked his lineup in hopes of reviving a team that has dropped 10 of 13 games.Lue had been resisting changes, but following Thursday's practice he announced he's dropping forward Jae Crowder to the second team, returning center Tristan Thompson to the starting lineup and switching Love, who was named an All-Star reserve, back to a position where he is much more comfortable.LeBron James and his teammates have been consumed in recent days by chaos, highlighted by a pre-practice meeting Monday when players aired grievances. A few targeted their frustration at Love, who went home sick from Saturday's lopsided loss to Oklahoma City and missed Sunday's practice.Lue said he considered other changes, but decided the Crowder-Thompson-Love maneuver is... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Kevin Love's latest move hasn't made any of the Cavaliers screaming mad.There's a positive change.Targeted by some teammates during a heated meeting this week, Love is returning to power forward after Cavs coach Tyronn Lue tweaked his lineup in hopes of reviving a team that has dropped 10 of 13 games.Lue had been resisting changes, but following Thursday's practice he announced he's dropping forward Jae Crowder to the second team, returning center Tristan Thompson to the starting lineup and switching Love, who was named an All-Star reserve, back to a position where he is much more comfortable.LeBron James and his teammates have been consumed in recent days by chaos, highlighted by a pre-practice meeting Monday when players aired grievances. A few targeted their frustration at Love, who went home sick from Saturday's lopsided loss to Oklahoma City and missed Sunday's practice.Lue said he considered other changes, but decided the Crowder-Thompson-Love maneuver is... [More]

Their season and NBA title hopes slipping away, the Cleveland Cavaliers vented during a team meeting on Monday in hopes of clearing the air.After losing 10 of 14, Cleveland's players voiced their concerns and displeasure before practice, a person familiar with the meeting told The Associated Press while the team was in San Antonio preparing for a game.There was "frustration all around" during the meeting, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because of the sensitive nature of the discussion. The person said there was a sense the session was "constructive" if the team is able to "move forward from it."Following an embarrassing 148-124 loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday, guards Dwyane Wade and Isaiah Thomas spoke about players needing to be more accountable and saying there was a lack of trust on defense. Forward Kyle Korver echoed those comments, adding it was time for players to look themselves in the mirror and ask what more each could do for the... [More]