It’s been almost three weeks since the trade deadline, but the stories about the deals that were made by the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to pop up. More recently, former Cavs point guard Isaiah Thomas was interviewed on ESPN’s E:60 where he said that the Cavs were in panic mode which is why they made those deals.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin asked Lue what his thoughts were about Thomas’ comments and what the mood by the Cavs front office was heading into the trade deadline.
“I’m panicking now,” Lue joked while looking exasperated with the question. “Come on! Come on, man.”
He pretended to walk out but sat down through the interview nonetheless.
Thomas was traded by the Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Lakers along with Channing Frye and a 2018 first-round draft pick in exchange for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance, Jr. The Lakers are his third team in less than a year.
“I was surprised,” Thomas said in the interview. “I didn’t think they would pull the trigger that fast, 15 games. But again, it’s a business. And the Cavs were, I mean, they were in panic mode. We were losing — a lot. And I think they felt like they needed to make a move, and they, they basically cleared house.”
Thomas played with the Cavaliers for a month, from January to early February. He was coming off of an injury that sidelined him from playing the last few playoff games against the Cavs last season.
He averaged 14.7 points in 15 games with the Cavs while getting back in playing shape. The Cavs were going through a rough stretch at the time and were 7-8 with Thomas in the lineup.
“I have no hard feelings against Cleveland. It just didn’t work out and that just happens.”
The full interview is scheduled to air on March 11.