Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: One signing every team should make

By Chris Manning

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic — Isaiah Thomas

Having traded Elfrid Payton last season and with Shelvin Mack likely gone, the Magic are in need of a point guard. Long term, drafting one or trading for one (not Dennis Schroeder, if they’re smart) is the best option to find a point guard to play with Aaron Gordon (assuming they keep him), Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba.

In the short term, though, they need someone to dribble the ball and to create on offense. It can, and maybe should be, a rental and someone who has something to prove. Enter Isaiah Thomas.

There are arguments against Thomas to be sure. For one, he doesn’t fit the profile that the Jeff Weltman front office seems to like. And can he play defense in that way Steve Clifford is going to ask him to? A ball-dominant, score-first guard also maybe isn’t the best fit for a team that wants to let its young pieces develop in a meaningful way.

But he’s also someone with a chip on his shoulder and looking for a chance to get back to the player he was two seasons ago before he hurt his hip and had a disastrous season in 2017-18. Signing Thomas to a one-year deal, maybe for large-ish money that keep them under the luxury tax line, is a way to get some value and some decent point guard play for one year while they wait out all of the bad contracts on team’s books. And for Thomas, it’s a chance to rebuild his reputation and get a shot at a better contract in 2019.

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