Newly acquired Isaiah Thomas has now had a chance to be around his new teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers. Recently, he raved about them.
The Los Angeles Lakers are heading toward the end of the season with the hopes of building some momentum for next season with their young core. Recently, the Lakers pulled off a big trade that sent Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
By doing so, the Lakers were able to bring back two expiring contracts and a first-round pick. The Lakers are now in a position to be major players in the offseason with the ability to sign two max free agents.
However, there is still a lot of basketball to be played this season and the Lakers will be trying to continue to build a winning culture and develop their young core. In the package from the Cavaliers, the Lakers were able to get back an intriguing piece in Isaiah Thomas. While he has struggled this season coming off a major hip surgery, Thomas was an MVP candidate last season.
Recently, Thomas talked about the young core that the Lakers have and he had very high praise for them. Here’s what Thomas said to Trevor Lane of LakersNation.com about the young core.
"“One thing I want to do with this young talent is show them how to win and show them how to be professionals, show them how to work hard. They have everything else,” he said. “They’re talented. When you have fun with a group of guys, it makes it easier on the court.”"
With 25 games left in the season, the playoffs have become unlikely for the Lakers with their recent three-game losing streak heading into the break. However, the Lakers are certainly going to try and play hard for the rest of the season.
For Thomas, the next 25 games are very important to him being in his contract year. Even though there aren’t any plans to start Thomas, he is going to be playing extended minutes off the bench.
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In addition to trying to perform well on the court, Thomas appears motivated to help these young Lakers grow for the next 25 games. As a player that has been to the Eastern Conference Finals as recent as last season, the Lakers can certainly learn a lot from Thomas for the rest of the season.