Fansided

Isaiah Thomas gives up Brink’s truck for vet’s minimum in Denver

By Jeremy Lambert

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half 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 during the first half 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) /
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Isaiah Thomas and the Denver Nuggets are a match made in an unforeseen heaven.

Isaiah Thomas thought the Brink’s truck would be backing up for him this offseason. Instead, he’ll be playing for the veteran’s minimum. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Thomas is heading to Denver after signing a one-year deal with the Nuggets.

While this deal appears to be out of nowhere, it certainly makes sense. The Nuggets are loaded in their frontcourt, but have few capable guards behind Jamal Murray and Gary Harris. Thomas is a proven scorer who could thrive in Denver’s offense.

Thomas averaged 15.2 points-per-game for the Cavaliers and Lakers last season. Two years ago, he was a MVP candidate for the Boston Celtics, averaging 28.9 points and being heralded as one of the clutchest players in the league. A hip injury limited him to just 32 games last season.

For the Nuggets, they needed a backup point guard who could carry the offense when Murray sits. Thomas won’t help their defense, which ranked 25th in the league, but no backup point guard was going to help their defense.

Instead, the Nuggets will continue to try and turn games into track meets, winning 120-115 every night if need be.

The veteran’s minimum certainly isn’t what Thomas was expecting this time last year. The uncertainty surrounding his hip injury got him shipped out of Boston and to Cleveland.

He never gelled with his new teammates, namely LeBron James, in Cleveland, and was traded to the Lakers at the deadline. He accepted a bench role in Los Angeles, but his hip once again prevented him from making a real impact.

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There are still injury concerns, but the Nuggets feel comfortable taking this risk. Thomas re-unites with his former coach in Sacramento, he fills a big need for Denver, and he’ll be allowed to go crazy off the bench. If things go well, maybe the Brink’s truck will be around next offseason.

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