NBA: 3 teams that should pursue Isaiah Thomas in free agency

A surgically repaired Isaiah Thomas could be an intriguing free-agent target this NBA offseason, and three specific teams could use his services.

At his peak in the 2016-17 NBA season, Isaiah Thomas was one of the league’s most dynamic scorers. Pouring in 28.9 points per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from behind the arc, Thomas was a surefire MVP candidate.

However, a hip injury derailed the guard’s career, and he has now played on five teams in the past four seasons. I.T. began the season with the Washington Wizards, who had a vacancy at the point guard position with John Wall out, making the most of the opportunity. Averaging 12.2 points per game while shooting 41.3 percent from deep, Thomas was steadily proving he deserved a roster spot in the NBA.

Washington ultimately ended up trading the guard to the LA Clippers at the trade deadline, who immediately cut him. Thomas has remained unemployed since. Whether it be the injury history, the nonexistent presence on the defensive end, or whatever else, teams were not high on Thomas.

Over three years after his horrific hip injury, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the guard underwent a hip resurfacing procedure in May and feels rejuvenated. Thomas’ words:

"“There’s no more pain. I’ve got my full range of motion. For three years, I was trying to play the best players in the world on one leg. I needed help from my kids to put my socks on in the morning.” “In some ways, the time off because of COVID was a blessing in disguise for my career,” Thomas said. “It allowed me to take the time to get this procedure done, and get back physically to a level I need to be to compete in the league. I made the right decision to do this, and I’m anxious to show people I can contribute to a team again.”"

Whether those words entice teams to give the guard another shot in the NBA remains unknown, but several franchises could use his services. Thomas is not going to be the focal point of an offense, and certainly not a prolific force on defense, but he could be a serviceable bench piece if he is back to full health.

Here are three teams that should target Isaiah Thomas in free agency.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics were the team that Isaiah Thomas rose to stardom with, and they should consider being the team that welcomes him back into the NBA.

Boston’s bench scoring was their Achillies heel this year, coming in at just 28.5 points per game during the regular season. That number ranked 29th in the entire association, just ahead of the last-place Portland Trail Blazers. As the postseason rolled around and the rotations tightened up, their bench scoring remained near the bottom of the list at 18.2 points per game, 14th out of the 16 qualifying teams.

Simply put, the Celtics desperately need to add some offensive firepower off the bench this offseason, and Isaiah Thomas could provide just that. He might not be the 30 point per game scorer that he was in his first stint with the team, but there is no doubt he could contribute a scoring punch as a reserve.

While Thomas seems persistent in getting another shot in the NBA for any franchise, it is no secret that Boston holds a special place in his heart.  Whether the Boston Celtics decided to pursue a reunion with Isaiah Thomas or not, bringing the guard back to TD Garden would be far more than just a feel-good story.

Philadelphia 76ers

Similarly to the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers also found themselves among the bottom five bench scoring teams in the NBA this season.

Philadelphia was slightly better than Boston, coming in at 26th place with 32.8 bench points per game in the regular season, but their issues loomed large all year long. When the postseason rolled around, they were the worst bench scoring team among participants, totaling just 17.0 points per game over four contests.

A significant chunk of that scoring came from impending free-agent guard Alec Burks, who averaged 10.5 points over those four games. Philadelphia would likely love to have him back, but after a career year, he is likely out of their price range. Their other backup guard, Raul Neto, will also become a free agent, but he contributed very little in limited minutes throughout the team’s short-lived postseason run.

Philadelphia will have little to no flexibility spending wise this offseason, which will make finding any roster upgrades challenging. Thomas will be available for next to nothing on the free-agent market as he seeks an opportunity, and the Philadelphia 76ers would be a perfect match for both parties.

While Isaiah Thomas would not come in and solve all of the issues surrounding the 76ers’ organization, his scoring prowess and floor spacing abilities are certainly a start. Potentially in need of some bench reinforcements this offseason, Philadelphia should take a gamble on the guard.

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors will be one of the most intriguing NBA teams heading into next season, and adding Isaiah Thomas would only add fuel to the fire.

With Golden State’s star tandem of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson playing in a combined five games this season, things quickly spiraled out of control. The pair will unquestionably be back healthy next season alongside Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and potentially a top prospect with the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

Much like the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State will have little spending money to work with this offseason, and one of the biggest questions for them remains the backup point guard. Rookie Ky Bowman claimed that title this season, averaging 7.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Those numbers might not tip the needle for a team with immediate title aspirations, so looking at a veteran like Isaiah Thomas might be a good fit with finite spending money.

The two-time All-Star would provide the Warriors with another battle-tested veteran ready to help them win now. If investing in an upgrade behind Stephen Curry is on the table, the team should take a flyer on Isaiah Thomas.

An offseason of uncertainty awaits for free-agent guard Isaiah Thomas, but seeing him back in the NBA next season would be a welcoming sight.