Isaiah Thomas's trade to the Lakers begged an obvious question—with Lonzo Ball firmly established as the Lakers' point guard of the present and future, would Thomas play with Ball or move to the bench? Shortly after the deal, Thomas' agent Aaron Goodwin texted ESPN's Rachel Nichols that his client "IS NOT COMING OFF THE BENCH," leading Nichols to suggest Thomas could seek a buyout if Lakers coach Luke Walton sought to use him off the bench.