NBA: Top 10 candidates for 2018-19 Sixth Man of the Year award

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9. Isaiah Thomas, Denver Nuggets

A fully healthy Isaiah Thomas in 2018-19 would make this ranking look insultingly low, but it’s no secret that he was a far cry from that player last season. Playing in just 32 games split between the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, IT averaged 15.2 points and 4.8 assists per game, but they came on paltry .373/.293/.893 shooting splits.

However, after having to settle for a one-year minimum contract, Thomas will be trying to back that Brinks truck up still. Coming off the bench for the young Denver Nuggets, he has a chance to revive his market value with one of the NBA’s best offenses.

That hip could hinder his progress, but if he can shake off the rust and stay healthy, Thomas could be a lightning rod off the bench, striking opponents’ second units just when they think they’re getting a break from Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Nikola Jokic. This is the best role for IT at age 29 and coming off a serious injury, so if he embraces it, he could really turn things around as the feel-good story of a playoff team.