Los Angeles Lakers: 3 things we learned from latest win in Miami

The Lakers might’ve awakened MVP-level IT

29 points off the bench isn’t bad for a player that many pointed to as the big problem with the Cleveland Cavaliers ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Consequently, Isaiah Thomas was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers — his third team in the last two seasons — in what felt like a trade with more questions than answers.

However, after leading the team in scoring on Thursday night in their latest win, it may be true that the Lakers landed on another gold mine if the Isaiah Thomas from his days in Boston is back in business.

If that really is the case, then this is extremely good news for the Lakers. Obviously the biggest critique of point guard Lonzo Ball throughout his rookie season has been his inability to score in double figures, let alone to be the standout difference maker on a nightly basis. Thomas dropped 29 points in 30 minutes.

Again, considering his situation leading up to his time in LA, that’s outstanding.

This does definitely help the Lakers determine how to handle the upcoming free agency period, as they’ll also have to decide if Thomas is going to part of the Lakers franchise moving forward. I was originally opposed to the move because at first glance I figured that it would be a move that resulted in more dysfunction chemistry, but it’s been, in fact, the opposite.

Additionally, Thomas was extra special from beyond the arc. Shooting 6-11 from deep, Thomas made six of the 16 three-pointers on the night for the Los Angeles, who shot 29 overall. Their team percentage from deep was a large part of their monster scoring night, as shooting 55.2% from deep when your opponent couldn’t even hit 30% of their shots from the same part of the floor says it all.

If Isaiah Thomas can keep this up, I am all for keeping him around for the foreseeable future.