Okay, I’m not going to beat around the bush with this at all. Isaiah Thomas is hands down my FAVORITE player in the league. Well… he isn’t in the league….yet.
As reported by Chris Haynes from Yahoo Sports, IT has been in communication with multiples teams on his NBA return. There is not one thing I could possibly want more than for IT to get back on the floor and light teams up like he used to. Go ahead. Try to name things I would want more. World peace? Nope. End world hunger? No way. A bazillion dollars? You can keep it. I just want IT to get his shot at the league again.
So what do we know about Isaiah Thomas the player at this stage in his career? He’s 31 years old, coming off of a hip injury that has bothered him for the past couple of seasons. However, there have been multiple reports, including former NBA player Jamal Crawford, saying that Thomas is back to being IT4 again. Crawford also stated that Kevin Durant is back to being KD, and we all know how that is playing out. With KD looking like his MVP self again, there is zero reason that I should believe that Thomas isn’t back to IT4 form again.
If we are to believe that he is back, which I do just in case that wasn’t clear enough, where could he end up? As much as I’d like him to come back to Boston, I don’t see it happening. Kemba Walker came back against the Knicks, with a minutes restriction to keep in mind, but outside of that the Celtics have Jeff Teague and Payton Pritchard now to handle the back court duties if Kemba isn’t on the floor, so I don’t think a Boston return is in the cards for him. Where else could we see him? I have a few ideal landing spots for IT.
Houston Rockets
This one is more possible that people give credit for. Not only is there a need now for a backup point guard behind John Wall, but the Rockets’ bench can clearly use some more firepower. The only real threats as it stands today on the Rockets’ bench is Eric Gordon, who can get his own shot, and DeMarcus Cousins who can run in any offense and get buckets, but that is it. Everyone else is basically a catch and shoot player, which was good for the James Harden era of Houston basketball, but with the changing of the guard, it is time to get a new guard in town, and IT should be that guy. Not to mention the built in chemistry he already has with John Wall, although he never played with Wall, and DeMarcus Cousins with their time in Sacramento.
Golden State Warriors
Listen, I’m not the first to point out that if Steph Curry isn’t cooking, that the Warriors struggle to win. James Wiseman can only do so much as a rookie, Draymond Green is a great play-maker, but isn’t an offensive threat himself, and guys like Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre aren’t playing up to their potential as a whole. What could help? A craft backup point guard that can get downhill fast, someone who can move without the ball like the Warriors system is known for, and someone who can light it up with catch-and-shoot three’s. The backup point guard for the Warriors is Brad Wanamker, and as a Boston Celtics fan, let me assure you that Wanamaker is not the kind of person you look to for scoring, especially in that system. Play-making? Sure. Not to get you a bucket, though. IT can be just the spark-plug that the Warriors need to keep them in games while Steph Curry is catching his breath.
Brooklyn Nets
This one is a bit more out of reach with the recent acquisition of James Harden, but I still think the Nets need an actual backup point guard. Yes, the Nets are going to stagger their minutes with Kyrie, KD, and Harden, but that doesn’t mean that Harden and KD in particular have to be the primary ball handlers when they’re on the floor. We’ve seen for years how deadly KD can be coming off the ball, or catching-and-shooting. Absolute sniper. Not to mention that, even though we haven’t seen it in such a long time, James Harden can easily come off pin-down screens and get open for a shot. IT can be that facilitator for the could-be all-time offense. IT has a career average of 5 assists per game, and most importantly, if both KD and Harden are on the floor, their gravity as players are going to cause defenders to slack off someone, and if that someone ends up being IT, I know that he knows how to make them pay.
No matter where IT ends up, I’m glad that there is some buzz that he’s been in contact with teams. IT put so much on the floor for Boston, and I don’t think there is another player that deserves to get love and appreciation more than he does. I’m excited to see him back in the league, and more importantly I’m excited to see that #SlowGrind mentality prove everyone wrong.
Round The Game 
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