Lakers News: Lonzo Ball is set to return; who it helps, who it hurts

HURTS — Isaiah Thomas

Well, obviously. This is the roadblock that everyone saw coming when the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Isaiah Thomas at the NBA Trade Deadline. Of course, the move for Thomas was nothing other than a salary dump move, but trying to balance both Thomas and Ball is going to be something interesting.

When the trade first happened Thomas’ agent made it very clear to Rachel Nichols that IT would not come off of the bench under any circumstances. Of course, Thomas and his agent erased that sour image by saying that Thomas was ecstatic to be a Laker.

Thomas is trying to make light of the situation, as well, calling Ball a “Special Talent” (h/t Bleacher Report). While that is flattering and all, there will be some butting heads and some reduced playing time for Thomas.

The Lakers will likely experiment with a Ball-Thomas backcourt, Thomas playing the role of a shooting guard. However, as they will quickly learn, this will be a defensive nightmare and will hurt the team more than it will help. Sure, Ball can inflate Thomas’ scoring, but his return is also going to expose his defensive holes and whether or not he can be a good teammate.

Thomas at this point is not playing for an NBA Championship. I’m sure he is not even playing for the postseason. He is playing for that massive payday that he thought he deserved in Boston. WIth only his own good in his mind, the return of Ball may ruffle some feathers.