Was the Phoenix Suns’ acquisition of Isaiah Thomas the biggest steal in free agency?
The Phoenix Suns worked out a sign-and-trade with the Sacramento Kings last week to acquire point guard Isaiah Thomas.
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Thomas is coming off a huge season with the Kings, but the team didn’t want to pay a score-first point guard, choosing to let forward Rudy Gay and center DeMarcus Cousins. Instead, they decided to give Darren Collison, a reserve with the Los Angeles Clippers last season, a three-year, $16 million deal and it now looks like he will indeed be their starting point guard.
Thomas signed a four-year, $27 million deal and may be the biggest steal in free agency. However, the signing has raised a few question. The Suns’ best player last season, Goran Dragic, is a point guard and their prized acquisition of last season, Eric Bledsoe, is also a point guard. Bledsoe is currently a restricted free agent and the Suns are expected to match any offer sheet he eventually signs.
Nate Duncan of Basketball Insider breaks down why the Suns acquired to Thomas.
"He signed there because they offered him the most money. They don’t need them, but he was perhaps the best value in free agency besides LeBron. Also, Bledsoe is a free agent now, even if restricted, and Dragic has a player option for 15-16 he’ll likely opt out of. Thomas should be an asset at that price, and they can find ways to play them together."
Thomas averaged 20.3 points, 6.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game last season while shooting 45.3% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 85.0% from the free throw line.