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Orlando Magic: 3 reasons they should sign Isaiah Thomas

By Luke Duffy

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 03: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Capital One Arena on February 03, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 03: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Capital One Arena on February 03, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

3. He will excite fans

If there’s one thing Orlando Magic fans need to be doing more of right now, it’s smiling. Sports fans have awfully short memories, and as recently as 18 months ago all seemed lost in Orlando. Even at this stage last season, the franchise was in a similar position, well below .500 and struggling to know what to do to turn things around.

After the All-Star break they figured it out and went on one of the more memorable runs in recent team history. The addition of Thomas wouldn’t guarantee all of that, but it would get fans talking again. With Fultz struggling and D.J. Augustin regressing on what was a career year last season, fans would enjoy seeing somebody else steering the ship.

Who better than Thomas? While the Magic were going through their extended rebuild, Isaiah Thomas was one of the most electric and beloved players in the league. His performances with the Boston Celtics will go down in history, and the tough hand he was dealt while in the league (both on the court and personally) endears him to people even more.

Where better than Orlando to feel some of that love again? Magic fans don’t ask for much, only that you show up and try your best when on the court. It’s why Wesley Iwundu and Khem Birch are such popular figures, and why Augustin is thought of as a modern-day Jameer Nelson. Thomas, despite injuries hampering him, can play hard, and he is able to excite.

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Thomas is grossly undersized at 5’9″ and is a liability defensively. In many places, Thomas would not get away with that, but he might be able to hide defensively on a solid Magic squad. Playing alongside Birch, a concrete wall in the paint, would allow Thomas to get away with some of the mistakes he is always going to give up because of his height and athleticism.

Thomas wouldn’t be asked to do much heavy lifting either, only come off the bench to score some, and be a positive influence on Fultz as he continues to grow. Who wouldn’t want that on their roster for the remainder of the regular season?

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