Boston Celtics: 3 best free-agent fits during upcoming transaction window
By Mark Nilon
Free-agent fit No. 2: Isaiah Thomas, PG
Many of you who follow us — thank you for the support — know how strongly we believe Isaiah Thomas should get another shot with the Boston Celtics. In turn, we here at the Houdini know how strongly many of you feel in opposition to this.
We can go back and forth about why we believe/ do not believe this to be a good idea all we want. However, in regard to free agents that are eligible to be signed by a team during the upcoming transaction window, it cannot be denied that Thomas would be one of the best fits for this current C’s roster.
Two of the C’s biggest weak spots all season have been their backup point guard production and offensive production off the pine.
Thomas could certainly serve as a helpful commodity in both of these areas.
As we all know, IT’s best years as a pro came with the Boston Celtics and, in turn, in a Brad Stevens scheme. During his final season (2016-17) in green & white, the point guard averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists on 46 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from deep and, with his production, finished fifth in the running for league MVP.
Should we expect these or, frankly, anything close to these numbers if he were to return to Beantown during this transaction window? No.
However, what’s important is the fact that he’s only proven to excel in Boston’s system and, at worst, should prove to be a better option as Kemba Walker’s backup point guard than Brad Wanamaker.
Most recently, Thomas found himself suiting up for the Washington Wizards in the early stages of the 2019-20 season where he actually proved to still be capable of producing at an effective level. Through 40 games — 36 starts — the point guard found himself averaging 12.2 points and 3.7 assists per game on 41 percent shooting from both the field and downtown.
With the fact that Walker has been injured periodically throughout the season, and has not played a lick of NBA basketball in well over three months, fatigue will certainly be a factor this postseason for the C’s franchise point guard.
Providing him with ample time on the bench would be an unbelievable plus for Boston as they embark on what should be a deep playoff run.
With his familiarity with & proven success within the system coupled with his most recent showings of success this year I’d venture to say that it could prove to be more beneficial for the Celtics to have Isaiah Thomas relieving Walker rather than Wanamaker.
We’d love to see the ” King in the Fourth” return to Beantown for another go-around. Perhaps logically it doesn’t make sense during this upcoming transaction window but, if we’re talking fits with the team, Thomas easily cracks the top-two.