Lakers’ Johnson looks to the future
The Los Angeles Lakers made some news on deadline day — though their moves were to try to win this summer, not this season.
Their deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, in which they acquired guard Isaiah Thomas, got them out of future salary and set themselves up to offer perhaps two maximum contracts in free agency.
Thomas was dealt with forward Channing Frye and one of the Cavaliers two first-round draft picks to the Lakers for point guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr.
“This is what I came here to do, was to create flexibility for our organization,” Lakers president Magic Johnson said, “so that one day we can have a superstar or two come to this organization with our incredible young talent that we have.”
Trail Blazers
Portland traded forward Noah Vonleh to Chicago in exchange for the rights to center Milovan Rakovic. Vonleh, the No. 9 overall pick by Charlotte in the 2014 NBA draft, averaged 3.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 33 games for the Blazers this season, including 12 starts. For his career, Vonleh has
Pistons
Detroit and Memphis agreed to a trade sending James Ennis to the Pistons for Brice Johnson and a second-round pick. Detroit also acquired Jameer Nelson from Chicago Thursday. It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Pistons, who landed star forward Blake Griffin last week from the Clippers.
Knicks
Emmanuel Mudiay is headed to New York, with the Denver Nuggets adding guard Devin Harris from Dallas in a three-team deadline trade. The rebuilding Mavericks will get Doug McDermott from the fading Knicks. Mudiay was the No. 7 pick in the 2015 draft and former starter, but hasn’t started a game this season and is averaging a careerworst 8.5 points per game.
Pelicans
averaged 3.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.
New Orleans agreed to trade veteran forward Dante Cunningham to Brooklyn for third-year guard Rashad Vaughn. The 6- foot- 6 Vaughn hadn’t even spent a week with the Nets, who acquired him and a secondround pick Monday in a trade sending center Tyler Zeller to Milwaukee.