Grade: D+
Maybe that’s a bit harsh for a guy who only got to play nine games, but what else is there to say? There’s a reason he only played nine games. He didn’t fit in with the team from a “trying to still make the playoffs perspective” and he didn’t fit from a “the playoffs aren’t happening so let’s play the young guys” perspective either.
Thornton is an unrestricted free agent this summer and there’s virtually zero chance he re-signs with the Suns this summer. When asked about possibly seeing a future here, Thornton was polite, but didn’t leave a lot of room for optimism in the prospect of a reunion next season:
"“Uh, who knows? Who knows? Just go in and work this summer and let the chips fall where they may and see what happens.”"
None of this is Thornton’s fault, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Suns really should’ve tried to get more from the Celtics than a future first round pick (top-10 protected in 2016 via the Cleveland Cavaliers) and Marcus Thornton when they traded away Isaiah Thomas.
His departure will free up a roster spot, but not much else. Fare thee well, Marcus Thornton. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors.
More 2014-15 Phoenix Suns Player Grades:
Jerel McNeal
Danny Granger
Brandan Wright
Earl Barron
Next: Phoenix Suns: 10 Takeaways From The 2014-15 Season (Part 2)