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Los Angeles Lakers: Isaiah Thomas says Cleveland Cavaliers were ‘in panic mode’

By Kenneth Teape

EL SEGUNDO, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Isaiah Thomas #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media during all access practice on February 12, 2018 at UCLA Heath Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Isaiah Thomas #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media during all access practice on February 12, 2018 at UCLA Heath Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers point guard Isaiah Thomas had an interview on E:60 and further discussed the deadline deal between the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Los Angeles Lakers were a part of one of the bigger trades at the NBA Trade Deadline. The Lakers were one of the teams that completed a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who cleaned house and overhauled their team at the deadline.

The Lakers traded guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr. to the Cavaliers in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and the Cavaliers 2018 first-round pick. The trade was a win for both teams.

The Cavaliers got younger and more athletic, shaking up a roster that was not coming together. The Lakers acquired a first-round draft pick, something they were lacking. They also set themselves up to become players in the 2018 free agency class, as Thomas and Frye are both free agents.

While many fans are looking forward to the offseason, the Lakers still have some games left in the regular season. Without their own first round pick, the Lakers have no incentive to lose, so they will continue trying to win games. Thomas and Frye, with their 3-point shooting ability, should both be able to help the team down the stretch.

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While everyone involved should be happy about the trade, it was still a shocking deal to see get completed.

Thomas was the main player acquired in the package from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Kyrie Irving. The Brooklyn Nets 2018 first-round pick was the biggest acquisition, but Thomas was supposed to help the Cavaliers in their quest for another NBA championship this season.

It was just not meant to be. Thomas holds no animosity towards the Cavaliers, as he understands it is a business, saying it just didn’t work out and that it happens.

Thomas delved deeper into his feelings about the trade in an interview with E:60. Thomas believes the Cavaliers were panicking, and that was a driving factor in the decision to make the trade.

Here is part of what Thomas said via ESPN.

"“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.”"

Cleared house is right. The Cavaliers brought in four new players, sending out six, including Dwyane Wade, Iman Shumpert, Derrick Rose and Jae Crowder in addition to who the Lakers acquired. That is a lot of turnover, similarly to how the Cavaliers began the season.

The Cavaliers never really had a chance to gel together. Thomas didn’t play for seven months because of a hip injury. When he returned, the Cavaliers struggled mightily as they tried to develop cohesion and chemistry.

"“It was a tough situation I was being put in,” Thomas said. “It was — it was different. … It’s hard to get acclimated to a team halfway through the season.“People don’t put in there that we had eight or nine new players. So it was basically a brand new team. … I’m in a new system. New team, new coach, new players. And then I’ve been off for seven months. So I got to get — individually, I got to for the most part get my rhythm back, get my timing back.”"

With the losses piling up, the Cavaliers decided to make a move. Essentially every player they acquired to help fill the void left by trading Irving is no longer on the roster.

Next: 30 Greatest Scorers In Lakers History

It was a much-needed shake-up for Cleveland not only to find success this season but to possibly convince LeBron James to remain in Cleveland beyond this season as well.

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