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At the Feb. 8 trade deadline, Isaiah Thomas was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. For the sixth time in his six-year career, Thomas has been traded team after team. Particularly in 2017, the Celtics traded Thomas for Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving. They did this in spite of Thomas' visible commitment to the franchise and his success at leading the Celtics to the postseason and beyond. To top it all off, the Cavaliers promptly traded him after he played only 15 games. Understandably, this is the most difficult side of the NBA, and many people expected these events to upset Thomas. However, instead, Thomas is relishing in his time with the Lakers. He has repeatedly praised the organization and he had an impressive debut against the Mavericks, scoring 22 points and dishing out six assists.
In fact, Thomas was spotted wearing Kobe Byrant's signature No. 24 shirt to his first practice with the Lakers.
Isaiah Thomas said he was "brainwashed" into being a "lifelong Laker fan" by his family, which is from Inglewood…said it hasn't really hit him yet that he's on the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/nx6gFymwJl
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) February 12, 2018
Growing up in Inglewood, California, Thomas claims he was “brainwashed” into being a “lifelong Lakers fan.” Surely, Thomas grew up during the playing days of Bryant and witnessed the Lakers legend make history with the franchise with Shaquille O'Neal in their famous championship three-peat, and in solo championship accomplishments in 2009 and 2010. Now that Thomas is playing for the Lakers, the experience must be surreal for him. Nonetheless, Thomas' upcoming free agency overshadows any of this sentimental chatter. Thomas has repeatedly stated that he wants to pursue a max contract, and the Lakers may be hesitant to give it to him.
Though, if Thomas is very fond of the Lakers like he has shown, he may settle down in Los Angeles after all.
