NBA notebook: Thomas comes off bench in Lakers debut

Thomas, who was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, and coach
Luke Walton had dinner together in Dallas on Friday and discussed expectations
and roles, according to ESPN.

Walton's intention is to integrate Thomas slowly into the offense, and the
point guard agrees with the strategy, sources told ESPN. The plan is for
Thomas to eventually work himself into position to join the starting lineup.

"This is about Isaiah and what he can do to help this young team continue to
grow and to win," Thomas' agent, Aaron Goodwin, told ESPN on Saturday morning.
"He's met with Luke and (assistant coach) Brian Shaw and he understands the
direction of the team, and wants to come in and contribute the right way.
Everything else will work itself out."

--The Utah Jazz waived point guard Derrick Rose, who was acquired from the
Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-way trade two days ago.

The Washington Wizards are one team expected to consider signing the former
NBA MVP, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Wizards' John Wall
is progressing with several more weeks of rehab following knee surgery.

Rose struggled in Cleveland, appearing in just 16 games (seven starts) while
battling injuries. He averaged 9.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in
19.3 minutes per contest with the Cavs.

--Veteran guard Joe Johnson is planning to sign with the Houston Rockets after
his contract buyout from the Sacramento Kings was completed Saturday, league
sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Johnson, 36, is expected to clear waivers on Monday afternoon and then will be
eligible to sign immediately with the Rockets.

The Kings acquired Johnson from the Jazz as part of a three-team deal prior to
the NBA trade deadline on Thursday. Johnson mostly came off the bench with the
Jazz this season, averaging 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 32 games.

--The Pelicans waived newly acquired guard Rashad Vaughn, capping a tumultuous
week for the third-year pro. New Orleans also waived point guard Mike James on
Saturday.

New Orleans traded forward Dante Cunningham to the Brooklyn Nets for Vaughn on
Thursday, three days after the Nets sent big man Tyler Zeller to the Milwaukee
Bucks in exchange for Vaughn and a protected second-round pick.

Vaughn, 21, was a first-round pick by the Bucks in 2015. He averaged 2.7
points and 7.9 minutes in 22 games for Milwaukee this season before being
traded to Brooklyn, where he played four minutes in his only appearance. He
did not appear in a game for New Orleans.

--The Dallas Mavericks announced Saturday they have waived big man Josh
McRoberts.

The 30-year-old played just six minutes in two games for Dallas this season
while battling knee and foot injuries. He was due just over $6 million in
salary this year, the last of a four-year deal.

McRoberts has averaged 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in his 11-year career.

--Field Level Media