The Phoenix Suns should avoid Isaiah Thomas like the plague
By Adam Maynes
The Phoenix Suns have cap space to use and they are in search of a star. Former Sun Isaiah Thomas should NOT be that star.
When the Phoenix Suns acquired Isaiah Thomas with a sign-and trade in the summer of 2014, they were acquiring a third point guard adding to good depth of Eric Bledose and Goran Dragic, however one that had the scoring talent to potentially be the team’s best. Unfortunately he entered into a situation in which each of the three key point guards on the roster wanted to be the team’s number one, yet the system was developed to run at least two of the three at all times.
None of them liked it, and two of the three, Thomas and Goran Dragic, demanded out as a result.
Nothing could have been more selfish on either of their parts, and their lack of professional respect caused Phoenix to not only trade both, but as a result, a highly coveted first round draft pick that is finally available to be used this summer – ironically when the Suns could use it most.
Thomas’ complaining helped to nearly burn the franchise to the ground. An organization that for nearly 50 years had been one that players had clamored to be a part of, Thomas became part of a brigade of players that over the past five seasons have demanded trades out of Phoenix, often putting the organization in a difficult position to receive the kind of return on their talent that they should receive in any normal circumstances.
When Thomas left too he publicly complained about the Suns as an organization, stating his pleasure with his trade, at one point comparing his trade to the Boston Celtics akin to a “Christmas gift.”
That’s just too much.
Thomas was literally the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He was the best available player in the 2014 free agency class and by signing not only gave him the richest single contract he may ever receive, but also the franchise a girth at a position that many teams need, providing Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough with multiple trade opportunities to improve the roster in other positions by working from a position of strength.
Thomas’ unprofessionalism alone in regards to his forcing the Suns to trade him and then helping to tear down a franchise that gave him a chance is reason alone to ignore Thomas on the 2018 free agency market.
And yet, there are more reasons. Many more.