The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Sixers: Top 5 free agents in the Pacific Division

By Christopher Kline

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 14: the Los Angeles Lakers exchange high fives during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 14, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 14: the Los Angeles Lakers exchange high fives during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 14, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No. 3: Isaiah Thomas, Los Angeles Lakers

Thomas wasn’t himself last season. The Cleveland situation was problematic and he was clearly affected by a nagging hip injury that inevitably led to season-ending surgery. In a league that preaches versatility, there are also questions about how effective a 5-foot-9 guard can be.

Strengths

Divisive is a good way to characterize Thomas’ status as a free agent. Some point to his defensive woes and reported locker-room issues as total non-starters, while others simply reflect on his 2016-17 campaign in Boston — the one that saw him finish top-five in MVP voting.

If Thomas can return to full health, his offensive prowess should draw interest from several teams. He can put up points in bunches, combining shifty ball-handling with a dynamic pull-up jumper. His ability to finish over length is impressive for somebody his size.

During his final year in Boston, Thomas averaged 28.9 points per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field, including 37.9 percent from deep on 8.5 attempts per game. At the absolute worst, he’s a sixth man who can fill it up.

Weaknesses

Thomas is as bad as they come on the defensive end. He’s 5-foot-9 — there just isn’t much good he can do on that side of the ball. Regardless of how much effort he puts in, most players can shoot over him with ease.

Last season especially, Thomas’ shot selection was highly questionable. He put up a lot of points in Boston by carrying the mantle of go-to scorer, but that won’t be his role next season. He’ll need to prove that he can play within a system offensively.

Fit

The Sixers need more ball-handling and playmaking behind Ben Simmons. Thomas, a defensive liability whose confidence seems to outweigh his actual abilities, probably isn’t the right solution. The former All-Star could be an absolute steal in the right situation, though.