Did the Sixers miss out on Isaiah Thomas?

By Christopher Kline | Jul 14, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 16: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Miami Heat at Staples Center on March 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /

Would gambling on Isaiah Thomas have been a smart move for the Philadelphia 76ers?

As the NBA continues it’s unique evolution, there are certain athletic archetypes that tend to get cast aside: bigs who lack lateral quickness and smaller guards who can’t handle switches. We often tout the NBA as a small-ball league, but in reality, the smaller players are often at the biggest disadvantage.

There are few better examples of that trend than Isaiah Thomas, the 5-foot-9 point guard who finished top-five in MVP voting with the first-seeded Boston Celtics just one year ago. He became one of the league’s most effective individual scorers, possessing a dynamic pull-up game and craftiness that allowed him to score over larger defenders.

Then he hurt his hip, playing through injury in the Celtics’ conference finals loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then Thomas was traded to the Cavs, missing a solid chunk of the 2017-18 season before making his Cleveland debut. It’s safe to say things ended poorly.

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Thomas totaled 14 games with the Cavs prior to being traded at the deadline, joining a Lakers team that would eventually sign LeBron James — his former Cavs teammate — this summer. Thomas was then left without a home, until recently.

The Denver Nuggets have reportedly signed Thomas to a one-year, $2 million contract. The same man who once expected the Brinks truck in Boston is now stuck with the veteran minimum in a smaller market. It’s been a tough and unforgiving fall for one of the most likable stars in the NBA.

Perhaps the biggest issue with Thomas is what I touched on to begin the piece: it’s difficult for smaller guards to survive in the ever-evolving league. As teams search for switches and more wings emerge as capable ball-handlers, 5-foot-9 guards will be constantly exploited on the defensive end.

Thomas has always been a defensive liability, but now it’s worse than ever. If his offense isn’t at an elite level, which it wasn’t last season, he’s almost certainly a net negative. There just isn’t any way for him to provide value if it isn’t through high-level, semi-efficient scoring.

We have seen Thomas score at that high level before, though. The former Sixth Man of the Year has the pedigree, so the Nuggets made a smart investment in an area of need: backup point guard.

If Thomas is truly healthy and returns to form, there’s a slight chance he can take over the starting role. With that said, the idea of a Nikola Jokic and Isaiah Thomas defensive tandem — for extended minutes — is hard to swallow.

So, that brings up the question: should the Philadelphia 76ers have made the short-term investment in a former star?

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There are convincing answers on both sides of that argument. The Sixers need more self-creation in the second unit, and Thomas would immediately provide that. He’s also a career 36.1 percent three-point shooter, with some high-volume seasons on record. Floor spacing wouldn’t be an issue.

Most concerns would be tied to Thomas’ fit in Brett Brown’s system and culture. In an offense that emphasizes ball and player movement, I.T.’s iso-heavy game might not mesh. On the other hand, there have been well-documented cases of high-level bench scorers boosting competitive teams.

There were a lot of Sixers fans who liked the idea of adding Lou Williams last season, myself included.

On the defensive end, few teams are better equipped than the Sixers to hide Thomas’ deficiencies. Opposing teams would still hunt for switches, but Joel Embiid‘s rim protection and the versatility of Ben Simmons and Robert Covington limits the downside.

The upside is fairly obvious: You get a guy who averaged 28.9 points per game in the 2016-17 season, which wasn’t too long ago. You also get a guy who, after a brief stint with the Lakers, has received ample praise for his leadership qualities around younger players.

Thomas is a hard worker who’s easy to cheer for. He has an inherent disposition that comes with being 5-foot-9 in the NBA — a chip on his shoulder that, through the years, has been a clear motivator. He’s somebody who has been special in the past and can return to that status in the future.

And, despite that, many would call the Sixers smart for staying away. I’m almost on that same boat. There are plenty of reasons, both defensively and offensively, to avoid him regardless of how low the price tag is. His odd stint in Cleveland didn’t help his locker room perception either.

As the Sixers look to compete in the Eastern Conference, it makes sense to avoid any significant rotational changes in the absence of an established, LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard-type star. Just run it back and bet on chemistry and development, which is essentially what the front office has decided to do.

In Thomas’ case, though, the Sixers had the chance to add him for the veteran minimum. That means the financial risk is non-existent. It also means that, on a one-year contract, the Sixers can waive him as soon as things go south. If he’s a locker room issue, he doesn’t have to stay all season.

That mitigates the risk in just about every facet. There is no financial reason to avoid cutting ties, nor is there an undying need for his skill set. The Sixers will be good with or without him, depending on how far his health progresses.

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It would be a complete upside play, and one the Sixers should have at least considered. Such a move might’ve been more feasible if there weren’t already 15+ players under contract, of course.