The Isaiah Thomas Conundrum
By Alex Eddy
The Boston Celtics have an interesting dilemma on their hands with Isaiah Thomas
We got a glimpse of what a non-Isaiah Thomas Boston Celtics team could look like in the future in Game three. There is no secret that the Celtics are much better on the defensive side of the ball without Thomas. However, it is also no secret that Thomas is one of the primary reasons that the Celtics are the number one seed, and are in the Eastern Conference Finals. Thomas was an All-NBA Second Team member this season, which gives you an idea of how phenomenal he was this year.
Lets look at the cases with Thomas and without Thomas in a green uniform for the future:
With Isaiah Thomas:
Thomas has one more year left on his contract, and will be asking for big-time money once that contract is up. Locking up Thomas long-term would keep an elite scorer on the roster (Thomas averaged the third most points per game this season).
Additionally, keeping a star in Boston like Thomas would create a more attractive destination for free agents. Thomas is a very likable player around the league, and free agents would be more inclined to play for the Celtics with him, opposed to without him. An Al Horford-centered team does not sound nearly as captivating as a team revolved around Thomas.
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Without Isaiah Thomas:
Thomas is going to ask for big-time money, perhaps similar to Mike Conley‘s five-year, $153 million contract. Do the Celtics want to pay this much money? Thomas is a star, we all understand that, but unfortunately, he is a huge liability on the defensive end.
We saw what a Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley backcourt can do defensively. Both players are terrific on-ball defenders, and they can stay with both guard positions. They are physical, have great hands, and are just relentless on every possession. Although not a big statistic per say, the Cavaliers were held to their lowest point total in Game three. As a matter of fact, the Celtics scored their most points in this series in Game three. Sometimes the ball can get stagnant with Thomas. We saw more ball movement around the perimeter in Game three for the Celtics.
Aside from the money issue, keeping Thomas complicates the idea of adding Markelle Fultz to an already crowded Celtics’ backcourt. Not only would Fultz form a terrific trio with Smart and Bradley, but it would also ensure that the Celtics can keep both Smart and Bradley (they would most likely have to trade one of them if they selected Fultz and inked up Thomas). Fultz and Bradley would start, and Smart could be the spark off the bench, a role that he is very comfortable playing in. Fultz has great defensive potential and will be able to guard multiple positions in the NBA, and although he might not be the scorer that Thomas is right away, he will develop into that role, and will thrive for years to come. He is extremely versatile offensively, and has a ridiculous amount of talent.
Conclusion:
It is hard to fathom the Celtics parting ways with their best player. However, the basketball world is all over this topic after the Celtics’ Game three win. Also, with Fultz being the consensus top pick (for most people), it makes the decision that much harder. Fultz is a point guard. So, do you have him and Thomas coexist, or do you choose Fultz to be the face of your franchise?
Regardless of Danny Ainge’s decision, it is pretty clear that the Celtics are still a few pieces away from contending for the finals for years to come. There are Hayward rumors, but the Celtics desperately need to add a big to pair next to Horford. The Celtics averaged 42 rebounds per game in the regular season. Only the Kings, Bucks, and Mavericks averaged less. Would trading Thomas for a big be a possibility?
Next: Celtics' Depth Wins Game 3
As of right now, it is too hard to predict what Ainge will do. We are making a lot of assumptions off of one game. It is an extremely interesting debate though. If the top prospect was not a point guard, I think this conversation would not be discussed nearly as much. Also, if the Celtics did not draft Jaylen Brown last year, Josh Jackson seems like the perfect piece to add to this Celtics team. He does a little bit of everything, and would be a terrific defensive addition. We are going to have to wait this one out, Ainge definitely has a plan that we do not have knowledge of yet. We have to keep our trust in him for now.