Cleveland Cavaliers: 2017-18 NBA season preview

Storyliny 3: What will I.T. bring to the table?

The addition of Isaiah Thomas to the Cleveland Cavaliers is an interesting move for a number of reasons. The biggest one comes from I.T.’s recent revelation that he shouldn’t have played in the playoffs and may never talk to Celtics’ general manager Danny Ainge again.

Thomas ended up re-aggravating his hip injury in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Playoffs. The Celtics lost the series in five games and the damage was done when I.T. was ultimately shut down for the rest of the postseason.

Thomas could return back and better than ever, but with an NBA title on its mind, Cleveland will need to adjust with him on the floor. At 5’8″, he’s not the biggest defender in a game that’s becoming more position-less by the season.

Still, his numbers are hard to ignore. He averaged 28.9 points, 5.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game for the Celtics during the regular season as they went 53-29, finishing first in the East. His production could take a hit but with LeBron James on the floor alongside him, it’s hard to foresee.