NBA Free Agency: Why Isaiah Thomas will be a huge bargain
The NBA free agency frenzy that started last weekend has now died down. Now that the dust has settled, we will find out who was a bargain. That player is new Phoenix Suns point guard Isaiah Thomas.
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Isaiah Thomas had a great season last year. He was actually one of the top players in the NBA. His efforts went largely unnoticed, since he was in Sacramento.
| Player | Points Per Game | Assists Per Game |
| LeBron James | 27.1 | 6.3 |
| Stephen Curry | 24.0 | 8.5 |
| James Harden | 25.4 | 6.1 |
| Isaiah Thomas | 20.3 | 6.3 |
| Kyrie Irving | 20.8 | 6.1 |
| Russell Westbrook | 21.8 | 6.9 |
The table above shows all the players in the league averaging 20+ points per game and dishing out 6+ assists. As you can see, Thomas was in pretty good company.
This is the type of offense Thomas gives you. Yes, he has trouble on defense, but James Harden has perfected the Matador defense, and Houston is happy with him, right? His offense makes up for his defense. In 2013, he shot 50% in 2-point shots and 35% from 3-point range. At the free throw line, he shot 85%.
The Suns are trying to run an up-tempo offense. Thomas excels in transition. Yes, the Suns also have a plethora of point guards, with Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Thomas. Head coach Jeff Hornacek has 96 minutes a game between the two guard spots to distribute among them.
The depth having those three players will insure against injuries as well. If one of them has a nagging injury, the team can give him a night off without worrying that the offense will collapse in his absence. Being able to take a needed rest during the season can help prevent a minor, nagging injury from becoming a major, season-killing injury. Just look at the Bulls and Derrick Rose to see what havoc an injury can wreak.
| Player | Amount of Contract | Amount Per Year |
| Carmelo Anthony | 5 yr/$122 million | $24.4 million |
| Chris Bosh | 5 yr/$118 million | $23.6 million |
| LeBron James | 2 yr/$42.1 million | $21.05 |
| Dwyane Wade | 2 yr/$31.1 million | $15.55 million |
| Gordon Hayward | 4 yr/$63 million | $15.75 million |
| Chandler Parsons | 3 yr/$45 million | $15 million |
| Marcin Gortat | 5 yr/$60 million | $12 million |
| Kyle Lowry | 4 yr/$48 million | $12 million |
| Dirk Nowitzki | 3 yr/$25 million | $8.33 million |
| Isaiah Thomas | 4 yr/$27 million | $6.75 million |
The above shows the contracts signed by some of the top free agents. Thomas’ total and per-year average are the lowest of the major free agent signings.
Remember, Thomas was the last pick of the 2011 draft. He was chosen by a team that could be considered the Siberia of the NBA. He did not get the accolades many of the other high profile players got, but he is transforming himself into an elite player. Of course, the fact that the Kings let him go so they can get Darren Collison cements for me the fact that Thomas is a better player.
As the 2014 season progresses, the Suns will see how good a player they have in Isaiah Thomas. By the end of his contract, the league will be envious of the bargain the Suns got.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfyDD6Qe7Lw