Los Angeles Lakers: 3 takeaways from 2018 NBA Trade Deadline

Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
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Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images

2. Lakers get perfect haul

The Los Angeles Lakers accomplished everything they wanted at the trade deadline. They swapped two of their young players for a pair of veterans on expiring contracts, along with a first round pick that will land somewhere in the mid-20s.

I noted earlier that I had my doubts about offloading Clarkson and other young players that were improving, but I did not expect them to get this strong of a return, in particular a first round pick.

No matter where that pick lands, the Lakers landed two members of their core in Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart with the 27th and 30th picks of the draft.

I’m also coming around to the idea of Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye keeping up the Lakers’ run of good play. Thomas has been less than stellar this season with Cleveland, but a change of locker room and return to a larger role with the Lakers could be for the best.

IT, who grew up in southern California, will be on a much better defensive team than the Cavs, and is a short-term fix to fill Clarkson’s sixth man role. Expect head coach Luke Walton to use him in defensive-minded lineups like his days with the Boston Celtics.

Frye is a floor-spacing big that will be a positive voice in the locker room. He’s a beloved teammate throughout the league and forms a spacious offensive partnership with Kyle Kuzma off the bench.

Considering how public the Lakers’ search for expiring deals has been, this is a great haul. It opens cap space and keeps them competitive, which is all I asked for when trading Clarkson or any of their young players.