Lakers Rumors: Isaiah Thomas’ agent says he won’t come off bench
Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors revolve around Isaiah Thomas, as the recently acquired point guard’s agent says he won’t come off the bench.
Los Angeles Lakers rumors came to fruition this morning. Trade rumors swirled around the team, and something finally came from them, as the Lakers completed a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers agreed to trade Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. to the Cavaliers in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and Cleveland’s 2018 first round pick. This is a big trade for the Lakers.
Los Angeles now has an avenue to offer two max contracts this summer, as Thomas and Frye are both set to hit unrestricted free agency. To make the deal even better, they added a 2018 first round pick, something they were lacking.
The Cavaliers, on the other hand, added some much-needed youth and athleticism to their roster. Clarkson and Nance Jr. will improve their bench. The additions of George Hill and Rodney Hood, whom the Cavaliers acquired in a three-team deal with the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz, will also help.
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For the Lakers, the question now is how will the new pieces fit into the game plan? Many people believed the Lakers could buy out Frye, but for now, it sounds like the Lakers will be holding onto him.
Both Thomas and Frye will give the Lakers some much needed 3-point shooting. Los Angeles is the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA. Thomas and Frye will help improve that. When they will provide that help is up for debate.
Frye will undoubtedly come off the bench. He could slide right into the minutes that are being left behind by Nance Jr. Sliding Thomas into Clarkson’s role would make sense, but don’t tell that to Thomas’ agent, Aaron Goodwin.
Goodwin made some noise during The Jump on ESPN. He was texting with host Rachel Nichols and let it be known that Thomas will not be coming off the bench with the Lakers.
Well, that could be wishful thinking. The Lakers have building block Lonzo Ball as their point guard of the future. He has started every game he has played this season, and that should not change.
While a pairing of Ball and Thomas could be fun offensively, it is unlikely the two will start together. Opposing teams would feast on that defensive pairing.
While Goodwin says that Thomas won’t come off the bench, ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne reports otherwise. She stood by her sources that he would likely not start. Nichols then added that Goodwin and Thomas would prefer a buyout if that is the case.
Wow Rachel said that IT3’s agent just texted her and said, “He’s not coming off the bench.”
— Ry (@JustRyCole) February 8, 2018
Ramona stood by her stance. Insists he likely will not start.
Rachel said they’d rather have a buyout if he’s not starting.
This will be something to keep an eye on in the coming days. This trade was all about future cap space and the first round pick for the Lakers. However, would they really waive Thomas without getting a look at him for the rest of the season?
We will also learn a lot about head coach Luke Walton. Will he cave and give in to Thomas and his agent’s demands? Walton has not been afraid to juggle the lineup this season, but Thomas should have to earn his keep just like everyone else has.
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Thomas sliding into Clarkson’s role for the remainder of the season, or even taking minutes away from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is something Lakers fans can handle. Watching him cut into the minutes of players such as Ball and Josh Hart is a different story.