NBA
Point guard Isaiah Thomas, who finished fifth in the MVP race with the Boston Celtics two years ago, has joined the Denver Nuggets. According to sources, the deal is for one-year, $2 million, which is the veteran’s minimum. This deal for him will reunite him with Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. Thomas played for Malone when he was with the Sacramento Kings.
Thomas has battled hip injuries for the past two seasons, which have robbed him of the max deal he’s been coveting. This move is a win-win for both parties. The Nuggets have a guy who has the ability to carry the second unit for them as a sixth man. It’s also a low risk, but potentially high reward move for them, and if he’s healthy, he can be one of the steals of the offseason.
This move is great for Thomas as well because he’s on a Nuggets team that won 46 games last season. He’s joining a very talented team that can help him ease into his role. The Nuggets, according to ESPN’s Senior Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, are expecting him to play a significant role as a scorer and playmaker off the bench this season.
If everything works out for Thomas with the Nuggets, he’ll be able to enter free agency again next summer and cash in. Teams are going to be watching him closely, as he’ll be returning from his second hip procedure.
The Nuggets will also be watching closely with how he handles his role. At 29 years of age, Thomas knows he doesn’t have much time to get the deal he’s been seeking. So expect for him to be a good soldier. If he’s mentally invested and he embraces his role, expect the Nuggets to return to the playoffs this season.
