Getty Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
Isaiah Thomas has continually failed to recapture the all-conquering form he displayed during his three seasons with the Boston Celtics but seems to take every opportunity to remind NBA teams what he’s capable of.
The latest reminder from the five-foot-nine point guard came on July 30, when he went nuclear during a Drew League game, dropping 45 points, registering five assists, and converting on seven three-point attempts.
Isaiah Thomas put on a show in the @DrewLeague today, FILLING IT UP with 45 PTS!
@isaiahthomas: 45 PTS, 5 AST, 7 3PM
Thomas split his time between three teams this season, appearing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets – making 22 total appearances, and averaging 8.4 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 rebounds per game while shooting 40.1% from the field and 33.7% from deep.
Despite the two-time All-Star proving his fitness over the past two years, it’s clear he’s lost a step and doesn’t possess the same burst off the dribble – two weapons that made him borderline unguardable between 2014 and 2018, so while Thomas can still get buckets, he’s no longer the elite scorer he once was and given his defensive limitations, NBA teams appear to be reluctant to give him the opportunity he needs.
Thomas Could Return to Charlotte This Season
On July 25, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Hornets were showing interest in potentially bringing Thomas back to Charlotte for another season – but would first consider a reunion with Kemba Walker – another former Celtics guard.
“The Hornets are considering a reunion with former franchise cornerstone Kemba Walker among other point guard options, sources told The Athletic. The team is also interested in the potential re-signing of Isaiah Thomas, who had strong play last season and emerged as a positive locker room leader in Charlotte,” Charania reported.
In addition to Kemba Walker, the Hornets are also interested in the potential re-signing of Isaiah Thomas, @ShamsCharania writes.
The 33-year-old averaged 8.3 points for Charlotte last year, coming off the bench in 17 games.
More: t.co/zYaWiZrKb6
Following the report, Thomas weighed in on the rumor by Tweeting, “I need to be back with my young killas!!!“
Thomas participated in 17 games for the Hornets last season, averaging 12.9 minutes off the bench while providing 8.3 points, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 rebounds per game – however, with Walker also gaining interest from his former team, there’s no guarantee the Celtics legend finds himself back in Charlotte next season.
No Route Back to Boston
Almost every Celtics fan has envisioned a return for Isaiah Thomas over the last few years, but it has never come to fruition, for one reason or another. And now, despite the former All-NBA guard being a free agent, it would seem there is no room for him under Ime Udoka.
Brad Stevens and Udoka have opted to construct a defensive juggernaut, where every rotation member is defensively viable, and for the most part, capable of switching onto multiple positions. Thomas’ size means Udoka would need to hide him defensively, which would necessitate a complete scheme change, and given the Celtics’ recent successes, that is almost unthinkable.
RT if you think Isaiah Thomas deserves to make All-NBA.
So, unless Thomas would be willing to embrace a similar role to that of Udonis Haslem on the Miami Heat – where he is more of a connector between the playing and coaching staff, it’s hard to envision a reunion with Thomas in the near future, and while that isn’t what most people want to hear, it does ensure his legacy remains intact.
Hopefully, Thomas’ big outing at the Drew League has caught the eye of an NBA team or two, and we will see him suiting up once the season gets underway later this year.