AP source: Cavaliers trading Isaiah Thomas to Lakers
Published 1:30 am Thursday, February 8, 2018
CLEVELAND — After a quick stop, Isaiah Thomas is on the move again. The point guard’s strange stay with the Cavaliers is over.
Thomas, who was never a good fit in Cleveland while recovering from a hip injury, was traded hours before the NBA’s deadline to the Los Angeles Lakers, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Thomas, a former star at the University of Washington, was dealt with forward Channing Frye and one of the Cavs’ two first-round draft picks to the Lakers for point guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams need NBA approval before the trade can be completed.
ESPN was first to report the deal.
Following the Cavs’ dramatic 140-138 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, Thomas stood at his locker and wondered if he would be traded again.
“I’m tired of being traded,” he said. “That’s not a good thing. But I just want to be where I’m wanted. I like it here. It hasn’t been as planned, but I definitely want to be here.”
The Cavaliers, though, had other plans.
Thomas, who turned 29 Wednesday, wasn’t working out. He missed Cleveland’s first 36 games while coming back from a torn right labrum that knocked him out of last year’s playoffs. The Cavs tried to incorporate him into their offense, but it was forced and bogging them down.
Cleveland is just 7-13 since Christmas Day, and the club’s slide has coincided with Thomas’ comeback. He played better Wednesday night, scoring 13 points and collecting seven assists in 31 minutes. But he’s a defensive liability on a defensively challenged team and the Cavs felt it was best to move him.
The Cavs had been in numerous trade conversations to improve a roster that could be running out of time to contend for a title. With LeBron James potentially declining his contract option this summer and becoming a free agent, the Cavs had to decide whether to make another run at an NBA championship or begin rebuilding.
This move helps them in the short term, and it’s possible they could make another trade.
While Thomas struggled on the floor, he didn’t help himself with some peculiar off-the-court comments.
Following Tuesday’s embarrassing loss to the 17-win Orlando Magic — the Cavs blew a 21-point lead and scored nine points in the fourth quarter — Thomas questioned whether the team makes enough in-game adjustments.
Those remarks were dismissed by coach Tyronn Lue, who said, “That’s not true.”
Lue tweaked his rotations against the Timberwolves, giving more minutes to rookie Cedi Osman, who provided an infusion of needed energy. Late in the game, Thomas was pulled off the floor by Lue and the guard stood near Cleveland’s bench and shook his head in disappointment.
