The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off a wild trade deadline day by trading for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and a first-round pick while departing with Larry Nance and Jordan Clarkson.
While Thomas immediately took the headlines with a case for a starting spot from his agent, the Lakers’ brass took time to thank Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson in the immediate aftermath of the deal.
First, Luke Walton addressed the media and took time to speak highly of both now former Lakers.
Luke Walton on trade: “JC and Larry were a huge part of what we’ve been doing here … they’ve elevated their games and been great teammates taking different roles. We’re going to miss them, but they’re going to a good situation.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 8, 2018
Luke Walton on the trade with Cleveland: “It’s always tough you get close with the guys.” Calls Nance and Clarkson a “huge part” of what Lakers were doing to rebuild.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) February 8, 2018
After Walton’s session with the media, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka held a press conference where they reiterated the high praise for the departing players.
Magic said the Lakers had to give up “Two outstanding players and two outstanding men” and appreciated everything Clarkson and Nance did.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 8, 2018
Some things Rob Pelinka said:
“Larry Nance, we love everything about him.”
“Jordan Clarkson has been amazing. He’s grown up here.”
“This was an essential step to get a playoff team or a championship caliber team back to the Lakers.”
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) February 8, 2018
Pelinka said sometimes trades can be “win win,” and he likes the fact that Nance is going home, and Clarkson gets to join a playoff team for the first time.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 8, 2018
Clarkson was the initial part of the rebuild as part of the 2014 NBA Draft class and has spent four seasons with the Lakers after coming in as an unheralded second-round pick.
Nance, meanwhile, spent three years with the Lakers and electrified the crowd with his high-flying posterizing dunks. Nance was recently named to the NBA Dunk Contest for the upcoming All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
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