NBA Trade Grades: Cavaliers swap Isaiah Thomas for Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr.
Los Angeles Lakers
So much for the Lakers pivoting to the summer of 2019 for their free agency aspirations.
To be clear, this move does still keep them in the running for big names like Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard in 2019, but is there any question it also puts Magic Johnson back in the driver’s seat for 2018? L.A. isn’t giving up its dreams of LeBron James and Paul George just yet.
Cavs are taking on long-term money and helping the Lakers clear cap space, opening up LA's 2018 free agency dreams. The Cavs are wagering they're keeping LeBron with this move.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) February 8, 2018
In the middle of career years for both youngsters, Jordan Clarkson (owed $25.9 million over the next two years) and Larry Nance Jr. ($2.3 million next year, with a $3.4 million qualifying offer for 2019-20) will be shipped off to create cap space with two expiring contracts in IT ($6.3 million) and Frye ($7.4 million).
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Lakers will have $46.9 million in cap room this summer, and that number could stretch to $69 million if they don’t re-sign Julius Randle and stretch the rest of Luol Deng‘s salary over five years. That additional first-rounder could also be used to ship off unwanted salary (i.e. Deng) and free up additional space.
Three impactful details on trade for Lakers: They'll have space for two max contract slots in 2018 or 2019, replenish first-round pick in 2018 Draft and gets Lakers some shooting for rest of season with Thomas and Frye.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
This still represents a risk for the Lakers. LeBron could very well re-sign with the Cavs, try and work his way to Houston, or join an unexpected team with cap space this summer. PG-13 seems pretty happy with a Thunder team that’s thriving right now, and DeMarcus Cousins‘ injury could make re-signing with the New Orleans Pelicans his best option.
However, there’s a lot to like with this exchange, even at the cost of two developing youngsters in Clarkson and Nance. After all, Clarkson was merely a backup scorer, and losing Nance stings less thanks to Kyle Kuzma‘s breakout rookie campaign.
Even though they’re both expiring deals, Thomas and Frye will bring some shooting to a Lakers team that ranks dead-last in 3-point percentage but 20th in 3-point attempts. Depending on the market for IT and how successful the Lakers are in shedding salary/wooing big-name free agents, the two sides could wind up being fallback options for each other.
Quick thought on IT: He won’t get his massive contract, but if the Lakers are really playing for free agency in 2019, a sizeable, one-year deal with LA (like KCP’s) seems possible this summer.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 8, 2018
But even if IT and Frye are just rentals, they represent precious cap space, and even better, the Lakers got a first round pick to make up for the one they’ll be sending to either Philadelphia or Boston this summer. Sure, Cleveland’s pick will be somewhere in the 20s, but it’s better than nothing.
For a franchise that’s unearthed gems like Clarkson, Nance and Kuzma with late draft selections in recent years, having something like the No. 24 pick — where the Cavs’ pick would be if the season ended today — is quite a return.
Many expected (and might have preferred) the Lakers to stand pat at this year’s trade deadline, but this is a pretty solid deal. It might even make L.A. a little bit better with Thomas and Frye’s shooting on board, but even if not, they’ll get cap space, a 2018 first-rounder and the chance to sign two max free agents in 2018/2019. Not bad.
Next: 2017-18 Week 17 NBA Power Rankings
Grade: A