The Los Angeles Lakers provided some of the biggest fireworks on Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, trading Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance, Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and Cleveland’s 2018 first round draft pick.
On the previous Laker Film Room podcast, Darius and I discussed the possibility of a deal centered around Thomas, who has seen his stock fall significantly since his days as a fringe MVP candidate with the Boston Celtics, just a year ago. In this episode, we discuss the implications that this trade has on 2018 free agency, with the Lakers having several more options available to them than before, while controlling their own destiny.
We also discuss the viability of Thomas’ game in the short term, including his injury, how he was used with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and if a return to his previous form is plausible – along with a fond farewell to Clarkson and Nance.