The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers completed arguably the biggest deal of the NBA trade deadline this year. L.A. sent Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. to Cleveland in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and the Cavaliers’ first-round pick.
Most people expected the Cavaliers to make some deals as the chemistry on the team was clearly not working. Even with that, Thomas thought he would get some more time in Cleveland to make it work.
Thomas gave an interview to ESPN’s E:60 and said that he felt like the Cavaliers were in a panic and believed they had to trade him to:
“I didn’t think they would pull the trigger that fast, 15 games,” Thomas told ESPN’s E:60 in an interview that will air March 11. “But again, it’s a business. And the Cavs were, I mean, they were in panic mode. We were losing — a lot. And I think they felt like they needed to make a move, and they, they basically cleared house.”
Thomas’ feelings certainly could be true as, in addition to the trade with the Lakers, they also brought in George Hill and Rodney Hood in separate deals. But in the end, the trade could’ve been the best thing for all sides.
Cleveland was able to bring in some new blood while Thomas gets a chance to play for his favorite childhood team and show that he can still produce as he recovers from a hip injury that kept him out for the first half of the season.
Thomas has already spoken about wanting to remain with the Lakers for the long-term. A lot of things will be in play this offseason when his contract is up and the Lakers will have plenty of decisions to make, but it will be interesting to see if both sides can come together this summer.
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