The Los Angeles Lakers were thought to be one of the more active teams in the league heading toward the NBA trade deadline on Thursday. The storied franchise was rumored to be looking to offload players with contracts beyond this season to make cap space for NBA free agency this summer or the next.
A couple hours before the trade deadline, the Lakers did just that by pulling off a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Los Angeles sent Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. to Cleveland in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and a top-three protected first-round draft pick. Following the official announcement of the trade, head coach Luke Walton reacted to losing Clarkson and Nance in the deal, via Bill Oram of the OC Register.
Luke Walton on the trade with Cleveland: “It’s always tough you get close with the guys.” Calls Nance and Clarkson a “huge part” of what Lakers were doing to rebuild.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) February 8, 2018
Although losing one of their best offensive players in Clarkson was a costly blow, they may be able to replace that production on that end of the floor with Thomas' scoring ability. However, improving the defense has been Walton's emphasis this season, and he clearly will miss Nance's presence on the floor, via Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet.
Luke Walton acknowledged the Lakers lost part of their defensive identity by trading Larry Nance Jr.
Jordan Clarkson was playing better defense recently, Walton added.
Walton said remaining players will have to pick it up to keep Lakers near top ten in defensive rating.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) February 8, 2018
Despite sacrificing two of their best players in this deal before the NBA trade deadline, the Lakers have bigger long-term plans. Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka were determined to create cap space to pursue big-name free agents, and they were able to do just that by making this deal with expiring contracts coming back to Los Angeles in return.
The obvious targets for Los Angeles are LeBron James and Paul George this summer. It remains to be seen whether either one of those superstars decides to make a move to Los Angeles, but this move by the Lakers improved the team's chances with much more flexibility when it comes to paying a premium for incoming players.
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