The final day before the NBA Trade Deadline was set on the fire with the Cleveland Cavaliers' trade of Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and a first-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. A number of NBA writers, fans, and players have chimed in on the deal, including some taking shots at Thomas for “talking himself out of town.”

The Cavs subsequently traded Dwyane Wade to the Miami Heat for a second-round pick while acquiring Rodney Hood and George Hill in a deal with the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz. For LA, the move opens an avenue for the organization to pursue both Paul George and LeBron James (or any two max players) in free agency with the required cap space.

Thomas failed to live up to expectations during his brief stint in Cleveland, and after being moved to the Lakers, the assumption is he'll come off the bench behind rookie Lonzo Ball (when Lonzo is healthy, of course).

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That won't fly with Thomas' camp, apparently.

During an episode of The Jump on ESPN, Rachel Nichols said she received a text from Thomas' agent that said, in all caps, that he won't come off the bench for LA. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne stood by her stance, continuing to insist that Thomas will come off the bench behind Ball. Then, Nichols responded by stating that Thomas would rather be bought out by the Lakers than not start.

Thomas obviously wants to perform well in a contract year, but if he causes drama in the Lakers locker room upon arrival, that could have a negative effect on his image as potential suitors look at him in free agency.