The rise and fall of a basketball superstar differs, but the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers will never fully recover from the turmoils of this season.
This is the new life of Isaiah Thomas. Just a year removed from stardom, he now must fully embrace the darkening truth of his situation. It seemed like it was just yesterday, he was battling among the Kings of the East. He won against Jimmy Butler and Chicago, winning in six games. He stretched out a battle with John Wall, triumphant in seven.
The Sacramento Kings chose Isaiah Thomas with the last pick in the NBA draft in 2011. After playing with Boogie Cousins, he moved to Phoenix. In his stead, he improved his game and was sent to Boston. Danny Ainge made Thomas feel comfortable. He used pieces such as Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, and others to build around him. He was a shoe-in for a max contract deal.
Just last year, IT, the King of the Fourth Quarter, placed fifth in MVP voting. Then he ran right into Kevin Love on a set screen… ending any chance for his championship run. The problem was that Thomas still was running through the motions, even though there was no point. He was already diagnosed with problems as early as the preseason, per SB Nation.
Had Kyrie Irving wished to remain with the rest of LeBron’s one year tenure (before his possible free agency), this would not be an issue. The Cavaliers almost denied the trade because of his health. There was no better trade out there, but trading a player who quickened to learn from Celtics head coach, Brad Stevens, immediately gives Cleveland at least a “D+” for the results they placed in. The only viable piece they received was the infamous, brought-up-every-time, Brooklyn Nets unprotected first-round pick.
LeBron James seemed disinterested in the Kyrie Irving replacement. According to StatMuse, Isaiah managed a defensive rating of over 125, the highest for any NBA athlete in 25 years. Thomas asked for the ball too much, and it was clear LeBron wanted his way. Aaron Goodwin, IT’s agent distressed:
"“He’s worked too hard to get back, and he’s a ball dominant player. It’s LeBron’s ball, and this clearly wasn’t working. Koby Altman and I have had enough conversations where it was clear, with the way the system was going, it wasn’t beneficial for either party. This is a good opportunity for Isaiah.”"
Koby Altman was charged as the basketball operations leader. Dan Gilbert let David Griffin, a man who both Kyrie Irving and LeBron James respected, walk. Altman was already placed in a similar situation with Irving’s displeasure with his role as the “Robin” to “Batman”. Thomas was viewed as nothing more than an expiring contract. The reshuffling of Cleveland led him to join the Lakers along with Channing Frye for Nance and Clarkson.
ESPN NBA Insider Bobby Marks reported that Los Angeles could have as much as $70M in cap space this offseason, with plenty more in 2019. Unfortunately, Isaiah Thomas will not be a long term in LA’s future.
Magic could do something similar to the way he handled Kentavious Caldwell-Pope last summer. After he signed a 1 yr/$17M deal, he has played similar basketball the way he did in Detroit. Caldwell-Pope also filled out a roster spot to help develop rookie Josh Hart. A potential 3 yr/$80M deal with Boston now looks like something similar or under a 1 yr/$15M with Los Angeles or another similar to Lou Williams’ 3 yr/$24M agreement.
Thomas is intent on spending time with the Lakers in a positive fashion. Without a media-frentic superstar at the helm, he is clearly the best player on this team right now. However, he must realize that he, again, is not the future for Los Angeles. His position is held firmly by Lonzo Ball, no matter what antics his father recalls or “speaks into existence.” At best, Luke Walton envisions heavy minutes for him off the bench. Think of it as stretching Jordan Clarkson’s role.
Thomas has gone through hell this season. A swap for a point guard, a toxic locker room, and a career-altering injury have shifted his career and life path. No longer is IT a top 30 player in the NBA. He has digressed severely on defense. In fact, the picture of Brandon Ingram in my podcast office probably plays better on-ball defense than he does.
His offense is not the same either. Playing with the one of the greatest athletes to ever walk upon the fact of the earth never helped. He’s only shot 37 percent from the field and just under 30 percent from deep. That’s worse than Lonzo Ball’s percentages for the endeavor of his rookie season. Let that sink in.
Thomas is many things, but selfless is a character trait that he doesn’t possess. IT was at moments in Cleveland confusing and undermining. Is he comfortable knowing that he isn’t the long term answer?
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The end could be near for this Cinderella story. The question is, whether will he fight the pain and endure in what could be a limited involvement with the franchise, or will he succumb to pride and forever lose his step as a point guard in the National Basketball Association. His pride was the answer to a Celtics team needing a foothold in the East. With his recent memories, we may never see the same Isaiah Thomas ever step on the court again.