Los Angeles Lakers recent trade deadline acquisition Isaiah Thomas will come off the bench when he makes his team debut ‪Saturday night against the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN's Chris Haynes.

Thomas had been very vocal about not being willing to come off the bench, as was his agent the very day he was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers alongside Channing Frye and a first-round pick for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr., hours before the trade deadline expired.

Lakers head coach Luke Walton and Thomas had dinner together in Dallas on Friday, discussing the expectations and roles for him moving forward with this team.

President Magic Johnson was somewhat noncommittal during an interview on Friday, but noted rookie Lonzo Ball was the starter from the outset this season, hinting that might be the plan moving forward, despite the floor general being out for a month with a knee injury.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Stephen Curry Olympics dagger against France
Clippers’ Nic Batum drops eye-opening take on Stephen Curry’s Olympic heroicsAlex House ·
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) drives against Xavier Musketeers forward Jerome Hunter (2) in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Round game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Xavier Musketeers at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Friday, March 21, 2025. Xavier was eliminated from the tournament, losing 86-73, to Illinois.
3 players Utah Jazz must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftZachary Howell ·
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the second quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton responds to Dwyane Wade reacting to his Game 1 heroicsRichard Pereira ·
Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium.
LeBron James erupts with huge reaction to Coco Gauff’s French Open winLorenzo J Reyna ·
Oklahoma Sooners guard Jeremiah Fears (0) controls the ball against Connecticut Huskies during the second half at Lenovo Center. Thomas Sorber and Joan Beringer
3 players Washington Wizards must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftZachary Howell ·
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault speaks at a press conference during an NBA Finals practice session ahead of Game 2 at Paycom Center with the Pacers logo in the background
Thunder’s Mark Daigneault hints at potential Game 2 lineup changeJosue Pavon ·

The Lakers are riding great momentum, winners of 12 of their last 16 games, racking up three four-game winning streaks in the process and hoping for a season-high fifth win in a row against the bottom-dwelling Mavericks.

L.A. built this young team to be led by the young passing wizard, but the trade for Thomas could have sidetracked that plan, as a starting-caliber talent in the rotation.

The Lakers freed up a major amount of cap space by letting Clarkson and Nance go to Cleveland, allowing them to have plenty of room to sign two major superstars during this offseason, namely LeBron James and Paul George, who are reportedly at the very top of the front office's list.