New Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard Isaiah Thomas has endured through a summer of turnover. After the trade to Cleveland was announced, complications with Thomas’ hip raised some questions regarding how healthy he is. The 5’9 point guard averaged 28 points per game last year with the Boston Celtics, as he led them to an Eastern Conference finals. Much of the team’s good fortune directly derived from Isaiah’s All-Star level talent. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Boston achieves anywhere near the amount of last year’s success without Thomas.
However, the NBA is a business first, and Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge made the best business decision for his team.
Thomas, who will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2018, will be eligible for a max contract. The 29-year-old will be looking for a full 5-year deal; such a deal would see a team paying Thomas until he is 34 years old. The Celtics were wary of Isaiah’s health, prompting the team to move him instead of waiting until free agency. Even though he won’t be receiving a big payday in Boston, that hasn’t swayed Thomas from seeking a bigger deal.
Chris Haynes of ESPN reports that Isaiah has dropped his management team and will begin the search for new counsel.
Sources: Isaiah Thomas in the process of parting with representation, Excel Sports Management. To seek new agent to handle 2018 free-agency.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 6, 2017
There is nothing wrong with players seeking what they feel is due to them. Thomas has yet to receive a max contract in his six-year career. Last year’s second-leading scorer still feels that he will be able to perform at the same level despite his hip issues. With reports that Thomas may not see the court until the All-Star break, that remains to be seen.
Whatever happens next season, it would be nice to see Thomas return back to form in Cleveland and possibly push for a championship.
