Breaking: Isaiah Thomas, More Traded to Lakers for Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance

[GNG]

As usual I am right.

You are a legend only in your mind.

 

[starbigd]

IT is looking to get out of LA if he can't start over Ball, which doesn't seem like a stretch to me. It will be interesting to see if they buy him out, but I doubt they will.

 

[shopson67]

IT is looking to get out of LA if he can't start over Ball, which doesn't seem like a stretch to me. It will be interesting to see if they buy him out, but I doubt they will.

Old news. He's already happy after one game coming off the bench, as he said he "has his powers back" playing in this system. He will get PLENTY of minutes as he continues to get stronger, coming back from his injury. That will be potentially starting NEXT to Lonzo once he comes back, or being the first guy off the bench playing with Lonzo, then backing up Lonzo, etc. He doesn't exactly have much leverage in the short term here, as he needs these minutes to rebuild his chances at a solid contract this summer.

 

[shopson67]

These players had to create their own shots in LA. Now they get to play with LeBron. Big difference.

Nance doesn't create shots whatsoever. If anything, he shies away from them, unless it's a putback or being set up for a dunk. Clarkson is a PG, doesn't need someone to set up his shots. He tends to monopolize the ball when on the court. Of course, Lebron will draw a lot of defensive attention, opening up better shots, but let's not act like Lebron instantly improves everyone. IT was instantly better in his first game with the Lakers. It's all about system fit.

 

[starbigd]

Old news. He's already happy after one game coming off the bench, as he said he "has his powers back" playing in this system. He will get PLENTY of minutes as he continues to get stronger, coming back from his injury. That will be potentially starting NEXT to Lonzo once he comes back, or being the first guy off the bench playing with Lonzo, then backing up Lonzo, etc. He doesn't exactly have much leverage in the short term here, as he needs these minutes to rebuild his chances at a solid contract this summer.

I very MUCH doubt that. He wants to start. He's not going to be satisfied longterm coming off the bench behind an inferior player.

Don't be naive here because you're a fan.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Old news. He's already happy after one game coming off the bench, as he said he "has his powers back" playing in this system. He will get PLENTY of minutes as he continues to get stronger, coming back from his injury. That will be potentially starting NEXT to Lonzo once he comes back, or being the first guy off the bench playing with Lonzo, then backing up Lonzo, etc. He doesn't exactly have much leverage in the short term here, as he needs these minutes to rebuild his chances at a solid contract this summer.

None of that matters bc it is only for the rest of the season, he won’t sign long-term and starting both Lonzo and IT would be horrible. They essentially got a late 1st round pick from the Cavs bc IT is already gone. He better start helping the Lakers win games or his contract is also in jeopardy

 

[larryjohn]

Old news. He's already happy after one game coming off the bench, as he said he "has his powers back" playing in this system. He will get PLENTY of minutes as he continues to get stronger, coming back from his injury. That will be potentially starting NEXT to Lonzo once he comes back, or being the first guy off the bench playing with Lonzo, then backing up Lonzo, etc. He doesn't exactly have much leverage in the short term here, as he needs these minutes to rebuild his chances at a solid contract this summer.

"his powers" ... in the Lakers first game with him, they gave up 130 points to one of the weakest teams in the league. (most points Lakers had given up in 6 weeks)

The Cavs held the Celtics to under 100 -- only the 2nd time they have done that in about 6 weeks.

IT's defense was horrible with the Cavs -- I don't know how Stevens hid that last year with the Celtics. Teams would go after him over and over. Clarkson is weak defensively -- but will be a big upgrade vs. IT at that end.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

"his powers" ... in the Lakers first game with him, they gave up 130 points to one of the weakest teams in the league. (most points Lakers had given up in 6 weeks)

The Cavs held the Celtics to under 100 -- only the 2nd time they have done that in about 6 weeks.

IT's defense was horrible with the Cavs -- I don't know how Stevens hid that last year with the Celtics. Teams would go after him over and over. Clarkson is weak defensively -- but will be a big upgrade vs. IT at that end.

I agree. The game was extremely close in the 4th and it seemed like IT was pretty much useless on defense.

 

[Black Adam]

I agree. The game was extremely close in the 4th and it seemed like IT was pretty much useless on defense.

It ain't like we as Lakers fans want him gone anyhow...oh wait, we do...

 

[shopson67]

It ain't like we as Lakers fans want him gone anyhow...oh wait, we do...

Speak for yourself. He's going to be needed to fill Clarkson's role at least for the balance of the season. You'd prefer Ennis? IT will likely score and assist more than Clarkson, but allow more on defense. I'm hoping for a break-even point for the next few months.

The Lakers record for the balance of the season really isn't of any importance. We need to see continued development, but they aren't making the playoffs, and wins/losses aren't going to impact their draft position (both picks in the 2018 draft are from other teams via trade). IT will be entertaining on offense and keep the casual fans happy.

 

[Black Adam]

Speak for yourself. He's going to be needed to fill Clarkson's role at least for the balance of the season. You'd prefer Ennis? IT will likely score and assist more than Clarkson, but allow more on defense. I'm hoping for a break-even point for the next few months.

The Lakers record for the balance of the season really isn't of any importance. We need to see continued development, but they aren't making the playoffs, and wins/losses aren't going to impact their draft position (both picks in the 2018 draft are from other teams via trade). IT will be entertaining on offense and keep the casual fans happy.

That'd be the point. My couch could defend better...

I get what you're saying, but at the end of the season let some other team pay for his services...

 

[Shanemansj13]

That'd be the point. My couch could defend better...

I get what you're saying, but at the end of the season let some other team pay for his services...

He had the worst defensive rating for any player, not just PG, in the last 25 years. His defensive rating on the Cavs was 117.5. It looks like it was around 112 last year on the Celtics.

 

[shopson67]

That'd be the point. My couch could defend better...

I get what you're saying, but at the end of the season let some other team pay for his services...

Of course. The only reason they would even consider keeping him around would be for a one year deal if they strike out on their free agent targets, and even then it would depend on the other options.

 

[shopson67]

He had the worst defensive rating for any player, not just PG, in the last 25 years. His defensive rating on the Cavs was 117.5. It looks like it was around 112 last year on the Celtics.

His replacement on the Cavs, George Hill, is at 115.2 for the season. IT can at least claim he's coming back from a severe injury and only played 15 games at that stat. Hill has 45 games (38 starts) at that number. Some other Cavs are nearly as bad: Korver is at 114.9, JR Smith is at 113.8, Green is at 113.5, etc., and they are all still there (Crowder was at 113.1). The Cavs defensive woes are not on IT alone.

So, I take it you guys have no interest in Devin Booker (113.9), DeAaron Fox (113.5), or Andrew Wiggins (112.6) due to their defensive struggles?

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

This is looking like the biggest steal in history

Cavs give up one semi-useful player, who is a one dimensional malcontent

And get a slew of useful players, and rid themselves of a bunch of guys destroying the team

Jesus

 

[trojanfan12]

I very MUCH doubt that. He wants to start. He's not going to be satisfied longterm coming off the bench behind an inferior player.

Don't be naive here because you're a fan.

You can doubt it all you want. But the fact is, IT doesn't have a lot of leverage. He lost a lot of money in Cleveland. His best bet is to be a good citizen and play his ass off to try and get some of that money back,. Right now, he doesn't even know if the Lakers are going to want him back. He said they were up front in saying that they don't know what the future will hold for him in LA.

He also said that of course he wants to start. Every player wants to start. But he's there to help mentor these young guys, try teach them how to win and will do whatever is asked of him.

Btw, yesterday was Lonzo's first full contact practice since he sprained his MCL. Luke played him and IT together and said they looked good playing together. So @shopson67 statement looks fairly accurate.

 

[trojanfan12]

"his powers" ... in the Lakers first game with him, they gave up 130 points to one of the weakest teams in the league. (most points Lakers had given up in 6 weeks)

Ftr, I watched the entire game and that was not an IT problem, that was an entire team/other team came out hot problem.

IT didn't even start that game. Both teams came out on fire offensively/not playing a lot of defense from the opening tip. It's the NBA, even crap teams are capable of getting hot and putting up a lot of points.

I'm not saying IT is a good defender, he's not even close, mostly because of his size. But to say that 130 points is on him, shows you didn't see the game. If you did, you'd now that no one on either team played defense. At one point late in the 2nd quarter, both teams were shooting over 60%.

If IT is going to stay beyond these next 25 or so games, it will be up to the Lakers coaching staff to figure out how to "hide" him on defense like the Celtics did.

 

[trojanfan12]

I agree. The game was extremely close in the 4th and it seemed like IT was pretty much useless on defense.

Everyone was useless on defense. The biggest problem was that it was his first game and they don't know how to play together yet.

There is no doubt that the Lakers are going to have to figure out how to hide him on defense. It's simply impossible to be even a decent defender in the NBA when you're 3 feet tall.

If I'm Luke and the coaching staff. I'm watching lots of tape of last years Celtics to see what they did to hide him on defense.

 

[trojanfan12]

It ain't like we as Lakers fans want him gone anyhow...oh wait, we do...

I don't. At least not yet. I say, let's take the remainder of the season to see what he brings and if Luke and the staff can find a way to hide him on defense like the Celtics did.

There's no way he's getting a max deal from anyone unless he somehow leads the Lakers to the playoffs. If he plays well and his defense can be hidden, the Lakers could end up with an all star caliber player on a cap friendly deal.

 

[trojanfan12]

This is looking like the biggest steal in history

Cavs give up one semi-useful player, who is a one dimensional malcontent

And get a slew of useful players, and rid themselves of a bunch of guys destroying the team

Jesus

Not even close to a steal, let alone "the biggest steal in history." Both teams got exactly what they wanted/needed in this trade.

The Cavs got younger and more athletic.

The Lakers now have the most cap space of any team in the league and got a first round draft pick when they had none before the trade.