The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the most active teams at the trade deadline moving Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. to the Cavaliers and getting Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye in return.

There was some speculation about who would be the starting point guard after Rachel Nichols said on The Jump that Isaiah Thomas wouldn't come off the bench for the Lakers:

I’ve been texting with Isaiah Thomas’ agent, and he says in capital letters: “HE IS NOT COMING OFF THE BENCH.” The idea is that they would a buyout, maybe, before they did something like that.

She later clarified in a series of tweets that he would still accept playing with the Lakers though because he is a pro.

There was much speculation about what exactly would be done with Thomas and Lonzo Ball and how the Lakers would handle the situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7jH1coYeMg&feature=youtu.be&t=167

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Magic Johnson had a media scrum after the trade deadline and he made one thing very clear, when healthy, Lonzo Ball is the starting point guard of the Lakers.

After the media scrum, Aaron Goodwin, who is Thomas's agent, spoke to Johnson and released this statement to Sam Amick of USA Today:

“Once he spoke to  Magic (Johnson) and (general manager) Rob Pelinka, he was ecstatic about the opportunity. It’s clear that he’ll get a chance to play, and play up-tempo like he has played throughout his career. And that’s all we can ask for. That was our biggest concern.”

It's a good thing Thomas accepted his role because this is a good opportunity for him. He gets the chance to start until Ball is healthy enough to play, and then he can be a mentor to him.

Thomas has a winning mentality and that is something that should really help Ball take another step forward in his development.