The Isaiah Thomas trade is not worth the criticism

Oct 31, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas (3) handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph (5) in the first half at US Airways Center. The Suns won 94 - 89. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas (3) handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph (5) in the first half at US Airways Center. The Suns won 94 - 89. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 31, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and guard Isaiah Thomas (3) high five in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at US Airways Center. The Suns won 94 – 89. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and guard Isaiah Thomas (3) high five in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at US Airways Center. The Suns won 94 – 89. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Would the Suns have won more games with Thomas vs. Bledsoe?

Suns may have won more games with Isaiah Thomas running the point instead of Eric Bledsoe, but not by a meaningful amount. They didn’t have a mastermind for a coach, nor have they had good enough spacing or perimeter defenders to best compliment Thomas’ game.

One of the reasons the Suns had considered Isaiah as expendable instead of a cornerstone by Sacramento and Phoenix is that no team that is dependent on a 5’9 player can really compete in the NBA. This was proven false of course but the Celtics still have a very difficult decision to make.  Will they sign Isaiah to a $150M contract next offseason? Isaiah is 28-years-old and a 2017 2nd Team All NBA point guard and given the new CBA rules that players who receive individual awards can make more money, maxing him out may be an unsavory option for Boston.

I’m glad the Suns don’t have to make this decision. You can spend tens of thousands of dollars making a Hyundai Sonata an excellent ride but you still won’t win a race against cars with better bigger engines.