Celtics Acquire Isaiah Thomas

www.usatoday.com

The Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge decided to make a move as the trade deadline approached. Ainge decided that it would be best to acquire young point guard Isaiah Thomas. Thomas is one of the shortest players in the league, but is also one of the most explosive. During his time in the association, Thomas has served as both a sixth man and a starter, playing well in both roles. His story is even more remarkable than his stats. He was the last man drafted in the 2011 draft, probably due to his short frame, measuring just 5’9″. However since then, Thomas has spent his time proving all of his doubters wrong. Out of the 65 games that Thomas played in his rookie season, he started 37, shooting 45% while averaging 11.5 points per game. Those are some amazing stats for a player that no one expected to contribute. In his second season, he upped his scoring average to 13.9 points per game, while shooting 44%. However, this time, he managed to start 62 of his 79 games. In his most impressive season of his career, Isaiah Thomas played about 35 minutes per game and averaged 20 points per game to go along with six assists. Despite being a more than solid starting point guard, the Kings decided to let Thomas walk in free agency, and he was signed by the Phoenix Suns, where he has only been able to start one of his 46 games. However, he is still playing 25 minutes per game while averaging 15 points per game. In return for Thomas, the Celtics will send Marcus Thornton and a 2016 first round pick.

Thomas will likely share lots of time with fellow point guard Marcus Smart. Both will probably earn their fair share of starts. Thomas brings a scoring presence to Boston that they have been lacking in their backcourt. The combination of Thomas’ scoring combined with Smart’s and Avery Bradley’s defense will lead to a dangerous backcourt as the Celtics as they look to make a push for the final playoff spot in the East.

As for the Suns, they get a very solid bench scorer to help out their starting frontcourt of Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight. Thornton’s ability to shoot the 3 will certainly help the Suns out in the second half of the season. The Suns currently sit at eighth in the western conference and will need all the scoring they can get to keep that spot, considering how tough the west is. The 2016 first round pick will certainly help the Suns as they continue to build their team back up to become the contender it once was.