Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 moments from 2017-18 NBA season

4. Trade deadline deal with Cavaliers

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the season with a long-term vision in mind: correct the culture, develop young talent, clear the books and add draft assets. From the draft to free agency to in-season rotations, the team accomplished just that.

At no point was this more obvious than at the trade deadline, when the Lakers were part of a tumultuous deadline day and executed a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In one transaction, the team moved the contract of Jordan Clarkson, added a first round pick, and even added a star-level upside player in Isaiah Thomas.

The Lakers and Cavaliers dominated the NBA narrative for much of the day as analysts and fans tried to sort out who “won” the trade. Los Angeles gave up Larry Nance Jr. in the deal, a talented fan favorite and perennial threat to create a highlight play (see previous slide for evidence). They also sent Jordan Clarkson, a neutral asset at best with a contract extending past this season.

In return they got a first round pick, the true jewel of the deal. They added two expiring contracts in Channing Frye — an excellent locker room presence — and Isaiah Thomas. They also cleaned out their cap commitments for this summer, opening up enough space to get within striking distance of two max slots.

While Thomas did not recapture the fire of his time in Boston, he played much better in Los Angeles than he did in Cleveland and could stick around the team for another season. With their first round pick owed to Philadelphia, the addition of an extra pick helps to soothe the sting. It was a smart move for an inexperienced management team that has proven itself to be fully competent and in control of a defined vision.