When the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Isaiah Thomas as part of their trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers on the day of the deadline, they faced two main questions. The first was Thomas’ health, and the second was whether or not he would accept a role off the bench.
After all, the Cavaliers traded the former MVP candidate after just 15 games. Thomas hardly looked his usual self, which wasn’t much of a surprise considering the time he missed while recovering a labrum tear and impingement in his hip.
Thomas got on the same page with Lakers head coach Luke Walton to serve as the team’s sixth man, and had flashes where he appeared to be rounding back into form.