What Happened Between Isaiah Thomas & Boston Celtics?

Isaiah Thomas is one of the most interesting stories in recent NBA history. The former Celtics player was an unlikely star but transformed into of the league’s most polarizing players. Within the space of a decade, he went from an unconventional starter to no longer being in the NBA.

Thomas entered the league in 2011 and signed with Sacramento Kings as the 60th and final pick in the draft. In his first season, Thomas was one of the biggest surprises in the NBA.

He’s a traditionally short basketball player clocking in at only 5’9″, which might be the reason teams passed him on to the last pick.

At the end of his first season in the league, Thomas was named to the All-Rookie second team for his wonderful performances. Despite his short stature, Thomas was making a real impression in the NBA.

Thomas became a fan favorite in Sacramento but eventually left the team. He joined the Phoenix Suns in 2014, but injuries derailed his time with the franchise. Before the end of the season, he left Phoenix in another trade, this time to the Boston Celtics, with whom he evolved to become a superstar.

Thomas took over the league in his first full season with the Celtics. He was named an NBA All-Star for the very first time in his career, and just 5 years after entering the league. Thomas became one of the best point guards in the NBA at that time and was a shining star in a young Boston Celtics team.

Isaiah Thomas – From Superstar to Free Agent

Thomas’ magical stint with the Celtics continued to bring him success. He became an All-Star once again in 2017, proving to be one of the top point guards in the NBA at the time.

But things quickly went south for the explosive point guard. During the 2017 conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Thomas suffered an injury that ruled him out for the rest of the series.

Before the start of the 2017-18 NBA season, the Celtics traded Isaiah Thomas to the Cleveland Cavaliers along with other assets in exchange for Kyrie Irving. However, during his medical examinations with the Cavs, it was revealed that Thomas had sustained multiple injuries as a result of playing through the pain.

He eventually began playing for the Cavs, but his performances didn’t warrant them keeping him around. He then bounced around teams in the NBA such as the Lakers, Blazers, and the Nuggets. But an injury-prone career made him suffer, due to which his level of play fell drastically.

In 2019, Thomas signed with the Washington Wizards as a free agent, but his performances were nothing like his past self. Before the trade deadline, the Wizards traded him to the Clippers, and the LA-based team too, did not want to do anything with Isaiah. The Clippers subsequently waived him after which Thomas became a free agent.

Isaiah Thomas is a player who has fallen out of the NBA after looking to become the most unlikely star to ever excel. It remains to be seen if Thomas will sign with another NBA team as some kind of role player. At 31 years old, he still has time to resurrect his career and fit into a franchise with his terrific skillset.