Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Isaiah Thomas has played for three NBA teams in just over one year, so he understands the fickle nature of his industry. Even though the point guard was the catalyst behind the Celtics’ improbable resurgence, even though he electrified TD Garden and helped make his new franchise relevant again, he knew an active offseason was looming. And that could bring uncertainty, even for him.
Thomas lived in a hotel after being acquired in a February trade with the Suns, and he has still yet to purchase or even lease a home in Boston, so it has been difficult to get past a feeling of temporariness. But a recent conversation with Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was both comforting and compelling.
“Danny said if there’s any free agent out there I’m interested in, to let him know,” Thomas said by telephone. “That has me excited. For him to ask for my input means a lot, because it means I’m definitely, right now, a part of the future, and they also value your word and what you think about the game of basketball. It means a lot, and it’s a mutual respect we have. Now, hopefully, we can get a few guys.”
Thomas did not name specific players on his wish list during an interview with the Globe, but he said a rim-protecting big man would be at the top of it.
Boston Globe- Isaiah Thomas wants to help Celtics recruit free agents
So, Isaiah is going to get to help “shop for some of the groceries” this off-season. I guess that means he’s a permanent fixture in Danny’s long-term vision for the next great Celtics teams, right?
All you need to do is go back a year when another Celtics point guard was making public comments about the team’s free agency prospects:
“You never know what Danny [Ainge] is capable of doing,” Rondo said. “I can’t tell you too much. We want to be contenders as well next year. We don’t plan on being down for too long. I think Danny has a lot of wiggle room with what he’s done the last couple years with the draft so I’m looking forward to what’s going to happen…”
I don’t think Thomas will be jettisoned mid-year to prolong Danny Ainge’s rebuilding process. The point is that Danny consulting in Isaiah means absolutely nothing for Thomas’ future in green. If Ainge isn’t able to make a splash and a starless Celtics team regresses with Thomas as the number one scoring option, he could be dealt just like Rondo last winter.
If he is able to make some impact summer moves, however, he’ll have Thomas’ strengths in mind. A rim protecting big, three-point shooters to spread the floor for when IT drives and a lock-down defensive wing to help hide Thomas defensively are general team needs, yes, but they’ll also help Thomas flourish as part of a contending Celtics team.
Since he does have Danny’s ear, however, he should probably just send him this list and tell Danny to go crazy.
On Page 2: On second thought, Danny’s probably shipping Isaiah out of Boston after this:
Hey @Isaiah_Thomas where was my invite to the Zeke end? What, no senior division? Give me @AveryBradleyGo and @KellyOlynyk and we’re good
— Danny Ainge (@danielrainge) May 25, 2015
Don’t ever snub Trader Danny if you want to stick around, Isaiah. Thomas hosted his second annual Zeke-End basketball tournament this past weekend in Tacoma and I guess Danny’s invite got lost in the mail.
I’m absolutely loving Danny Ainge’s burgeoning twitter personality, by the way.
