3. Isaiah Thomas
Isaiah Thomas has had an awfully sad past few years. In the 2016-17 season, he was leading the Boston Celtics into a deep playoff run after averaging nearly 30 points per game, and leading the league in 4th quarter scoring, being dubbed “King of the 4th”.
He was beloved in Boston. He finished in the top-5 in MVP voting that season, despite being about 5’10”, and a former 60th overall pick in the 2011 draft (the last pick).
After his sister died in a tragic car accident, he still suited up to try to will his team to the NBA Finals, knowing how much it meant for their fans. LeBron and the Cavaliers got in the way, and Isaiah got injured.
That summer, Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cavaliers, not wanting to “play in LeBron’s shadow” anymore. Ironically, Irving, the former No. 1 overall pick, was essentially traded for Isaiah Thomas, the very last pick in the same draft class.
After a very short stint in Cleveland, Thomas was traded to the Lakers. According to Sports Illustrated, after his first game in a Lakers uniform, he proclaimed, “I felt like I got my superpowers back!”
I’ve actually loved having Rajon Rondo on the Lakers this season, but between injuries to he and Lonzo Ball, it would’ve certainly been helpful to have another solid point guard on the roster. Although Rondo made some comments about Thomas not deserving a tribute video, I’m sure the two could’ve worked together just fine once they suited up together.
Thomas is getting paid very little this season, so it would’ve been easy to bring him back. It would have been a low-risk, high-reward decision.