Celtics’ need: IT support
Thomas surely a keeper but additions are a key
The answer to each Isaiah Thomas question is yet another question.
Should the Celtics keep him and try to re-sign him after the 201718 season? Or should they trade him now when his value is high and not get to the summer when Thomas has talked about a Brinks truck transporting his big score?
While it’s clear in this corner that the C’s should hold tight to their diminutive destroyer, the larger question is: What could they get for him?
Of course, you’re not trying to get rid of a player who has been an All-Star in his first two full seasons for your team, but when you’re in the Celtics’ position, no one can be “untouchable.” And, most importantly, if another team is willing to propose something utterly stupid, you should be gracious enough to accept it.
If Golden State decides it wants to go really small and offers Kevin Durant and Draymond Green’s T-shirt collection for Isaiah, you take it.
But it seems to me that people are forgetting just what Thomas has meant to this franchise in his two-plus years here. The Celtics desperately needed a producer, and Thomas has given them consistent offense — fourth-quarter offense, drawing extra attention from the opponent offense.
Beyond the fact he plays just as hard on a Tuesday in January as he does in the playoffs, the thing to really like about Thomas is that he’s getting better. Coach Brad Stevens has been on him to simply “make the right play” in every situation, and while you want and need him to score, he’s done a much better job of recognizing where the ball should go. Thomas had 10 assists in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers, but it felt as if he would have had 20 had his teammates not bricked some of those wide open shots.
So here’s a player who’s serious good — and improving.
On the question of whether the Celts can build a championship team around a 5-foot-9 guy with defensive “issues” is interesting mainly in that it misses the point. To give a proper reply, you first have to know who will constitute the “build around.”
Thomas cannot win a championship without a great cast around him.
You know who else couldn’t? Michael Jordan. LeBron James.
Jordan didn’t win big until he got Scottie Pippen and added even more key support pieces (Horace Grant, Dennis Rodman, etc.). James won when he got beside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, and he’s made it to three straight Finals — albeit from a lesser East — next to stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.
The fact that the Celtics — had they opted to go the Markelle Fultz route — would have created a further logjam in the backcourt with two guards who could score may have helped expedite the team’s trade of the No. 1 pick to the Sixers, a deal that was all but finalized last night and is expected to be consummated tomorrow.
In trading down to No. 3 while presumably acquiring more future assets from Philadelphia, they are looking to both improve the current roster and better facilitate a trade for a key veteran.
As for how much the Celts will have to pay Thomas when he becomes a free agent, that will be determined by the market. So, too, will the decision on whether to make him available for trade.