Los Angeles Lakers: 3 takeaways from 2018 NBA Trade Deadline

Final thoughts

When I first heard news of this trade, I was upset about losing Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. I’ve enjoyed watching both of these players grow in recent seasons and played a part in establishing the culture and positive vibes surrounding this team at the moment. That being said, this offer was too good to pass up.

Clearing future cap space, getting back into the first round of the NBA Draft and not suffering too big of a talent drop-off is exactly what the Lakers were looking for. If Thomas shakes off rust and shows any signs of previous years form, it would be a nice roster boost for the closing months.

Related Story: NBA Trade Grades - Cavs send Isaiah Thomas to Lakers

This trade was the first move in what will be an extremely busy summer for the Los Angeles Lakers. They will be looking to land meetings with all of the big free agents, and hope to return to their destination franchise status.

The Lakers are in great shape moving forward with four players they feel are part of their future moving forward in second-year player Brandon Ingram and three rookies, Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball.

Those four, the money they can offer and the lure of Los Angeles looks better by the game. Having four young players could interest a player like LeBron that wants to save his legs for the playoffs and not carry a team night in and night out in the regular season.

They will miss Clarkson and Nance, on and off the floor, but they’ll get their first taste of the playoffs in Cleveland (also where Nance’s father, Larry Nance Sr. played).

Next: Biggest winners and losers of the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline

In a move that has grown on me by the hour, the Los Angeles Lakers exit the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline accomplishing all of their goals.