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NBA Rumors: Danny Ainge tried to trade Isaiah Thomas last offseason

By Trey Daubert

May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts after defeating the Washington Wizards in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts after defeating the Washington Wizards in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Is Isaiah Thomas untouchable? It appears Celtics general manager Danny Ainge may not be as infatuated with Thomas as much as we thought.

During the 2016 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics selected Jaylen Brown third overall. Apparently, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge was trying to acquire another lottery pick. All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas was dangled out on the trade block in hopes of landing another lottery selection last offseason. Ainge failed to trade Thomas in what now looks like a blessing in disguise.

ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan reported the news on “Bob Ryan’s Boston Podcast”:

"“Before the draft last year, Danny was trying to get two picks, not just Jaylen Brown,” the longtime Boston reporter said. “He was on the phone with everybody coast to coast, and he was offering everybody. That includes Marcus Smart and Isaiah Thomas, and anything else they needed to get where he wanted to go. There were no untouchables on that team last year.”"

Boston also had two other first round picks in last year’s draft. Guershon Yabusele (16) and Ante Zizic (23) were used as international draft and stash prospects. It’s unclear what other player the Celtics were interested in but my best guess is Providence guard Kris Dunn. They were tempted to take him over Brown.

The report isn’t really that surprising. When it comes to Danny Ainge, every player is just an asset. Thomas, 27, is a great offensive player. He averaged 28.9 points per game this season leading Boston to 53 wins and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

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For as good as Thomas is, he is a liability on the defensive end of the floor. At 5-foot-9, he really struggles to guard bigger players as head coach Brad Stevens oftentimes hides him on the weakest offensive player on the floor. When it comes to playing the elite teams like the Cavs, there is no hiding Thomas.

Can you win a championship with Thomas as your point guard? That’s the question Danny Ainge has to figure out as he only has one more year on his contract and could command a big extension. Ainge may have his eventual replacement in mind as Markelle Fultz is expected to be the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft made by the Celtics.

According to MacMullan, Thomas is the furthest thing from an untouchable franchise player even after the monster year in 2016-17.

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